The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
An Alaska mechanic accused of a long history of fraud and theft was arrested in Big Lake after authorities spent weeks searching for him.
The 44-year-old man was taken into custody Wednesday at a home in Mat-Su following a lengthy surveillance operation involving multiple agencies. He was arrested without incident and was being held at the Mat-Su Pretrial facility. A $100,000 cash performance bond was set. If he posts bond, the defendant would also have to obtain a court-approved third-party custodian to ensure he follows release conditions and appears for hearings.
The arrest came after authorities said the man was wanted on several warrants totaling more than $2 million. The latest incident began after he allegedly left a residence in North Pole where he had been confined to house arrest while awaiting trial.
According to court documents, an ankle monitor tracked him leaving the residence on July 21. The device later alerted officials that it had been cut off. His whereabouts remained unknown through at least August 6, when he failed to appear for a Fairbanks hearing and prosecutors said they believed he had fled.
The escape allegations led to an indictment charging him with four felony counts of third-degree escape. Prosecutors also filed six misdemeanor counts alleging violations of his pretrial release conditions.
The man had previously served a 10-year prison sentence, with four years suspended, after felony fraud and theft convictions. Court records showed he had been ordered to pay roughly $640,000 in fines and restitution, most of which remained unpaid.
More recent cases accused him of stealing or attempting to steal tens of thousands of dollars. In one alleged 2025 scheme, he took more than $48,000 for engine and transmission purchases that were never provided, according to a probation filing. Weeks later, he allegedly tried to sell heavy equipment he did not possess for about $36,000.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a criminal offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.