Career Fraudster Captured in Florida After Years on the Run
Federal officials have announced the capture of Alan Todd May, a notorious career fraudster who had been on the run for nearly five years. May, who had escaped from a federal prison in Colorado, was apprehended in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, this week while moving into a luxurious $1.5 million house near the ocean on Florida’s Gold Coast. The arrest was made by federal marshals, who acted on an anonymous tip leading them to May’s location.
During his arrest, May was wearing a luxurious Rolex watch and driving a high-end Mercedes, according to investigators who had been surveilling him. It seems that May, who had been living under the name “Jacob Turner,” was not shy about flaunting his ill-gotten wealth within high society circles in South Florida. A published photo of him at a posh fundraiser, where he can be seen wearing a pink shirt, pink blazer, and pink-tinted glasses, was instrumental in identifying May. The photo, which had been published on the website of the Palm Beach Daily News, caught the attention of an eagle-eyed tipster.
May, now 58 years old, has a long history of convictions dating back to 1983, including bad checks, credit card abuse, theft, and fraud. At the time of his escape, he was serving a 20-year prison sentence for a Ponzi scheme that involved $7 million in fraudulent activities. Prosecutors revealed that May had used the proceeds for extravagant personal expenses, such as acquiring multiple houses, luxury cars, and plane tickets.
While in federal custody, May managed to continue his criminal activities remotely, stealing an additional $700,000 by filing fraudulent documents and pilfering unclaimed oil and gas royalties owed to various companies. He evaded law enforcement for 3 1/2 years before being captured. This case highlights the challenges faced by the federal Bureau of Prisons, which has struggled with security issues in several facilities across the country.
Following an indictment related to May’s oil-and-gas scheme last year, the U.S. Marshals Service intensified its efforts to locate him, eventually offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to his capture. Tips poured in from multiple states, including California, Michigan, Texas, and Florida. The breakthrough came when the tipster recognized May in the published photograph and promptly alerted the marshals. Subsequent investigations led authorities to a penthouse apartment in Palm Beach, and finally to May’s new residence in Fort Lauderdale.
Now that May is back in custody, investigators are focused on determining the source of his apparent riches and whether he victimized others during his time on the run. May’s ability to deceive people has left officials questioning how he managed to maintain a lavish lifestyle even while evading capture. The suicide hotline group that organized the fundraiser where May was photographed has also been contacted for information regarding his attendance.
May’s audacity and cunning have astounded law enforcement officials, as he had even completed a class on mediation while in prison under his alias, “Jacob Turner.” The LinkedIn page associated with Turner described him as a certified mediator in Palm Beach.
In the pursuit of justice, the tireless efforts of law enforcement and the vigilance of community members have finally brought a seasoned criminal to justice. May’s capture serves as a reminder that no matter how long someone manages to elude the authorities, they will eventually face the consequences of their actions.
Author: Ryan Scott
Just a guy
