Fugitive treasure hunter nabbed in Florida after 2-year hunt

mrearlygold

A treasure hunter locked in a legal battle over one of the greatest undersea hauls in American history was arrested in Florida after more than two years on the lam, authorities said Wednesday.





The U.S. Marshals Service tracked Tommy Thompson to a Hilton hotel in West Boca Raton and arrested him Tuesday, said Brian Babtist, a senior inspector in the agency's office in Columbus, Ohio, where a federal civil arrest warrant was issued for him in 2012 for failing to show up to a key court hearing.

Authorities didn't immediately explain how they were finally able to track down Thompson, whom they called "one of the most intelligent fugitives ever sought by the U.S. Marshals."

Thompson made history in 1988 when he found the sunken S.S. Central America, also known as the Ship of Gold. In what was a technological feat at the time, Thompson and his crew brought up thousands of gold bars and coins
http://news.yahoo.com/fugitive-treasure-hunter-nabbed-florida-2-hunt-144801276.html

Unknown

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mrearlygold

One of the interesting parts:

No criminal charges have been filed against Thompson, but Babtist said the treasure hunter will likely be ordered held in custody until he appears before an Ohio judge to give an accounting for the gold's sale and his actions.

ms70

<< <i>Yup, somebody beat you to it.

Good, though... scumbag. >>



Hey! mrearlygold is a nice guy!

EagleEye

Link to Columbus Dispatch article

timeline

mrearlygold

Oops sorry

puffer

I hope the judge throws the book at him. There is something about evasion of responsibility and fugitive activity that is truly shocking.

Timbuk3

Sweet !!!

keyman64

I saw the story on the news here in Florida. Good news but also sad that someone with some greatness in his history screwed it all up.

EagleEye

The timeline posted in the link above is an interesting way to follow the events. From what I know from speaking with people close to this, is that it was widely reported that the SS Central America deal was bought for $100 million by the Dwight Manley group. It appears that Tommy Thompson said that the gold was sold for $52 million. Which number is right? The investors think the $100M number is right and want their share. They filed suit to see the accounting. Thompson failed to appear and that is why he was being sought. Now they caught him and investigators will now try and get the proper accounting. If the $52M number is the real cost, then they have no claim and Thompson was merely protecting what money he had. If the gold actually sold for $100M as was reported to the numismatic community, then there is a ton of missing money.

OldIndianNutKase

<< <i>The timeline posted in the link above is an interesting way to follow the events. From what I know from speaking with people close to this, is that it was widely reported that the SS Central America deal was bought for $100 million by the Dwight Manley group. It appears that Tommy Thompson said that the gold was sold for $52 million. Which number is right? The investors think the $100M number is right and want their share. They filed suit to see the accounting. Thompson failed to appear and that is why he was being sought. Now they caught him and investigators will now try and get the proper accounting. If the $52M number is the real cost, then they have no claim and Thompson was merely protecting what money he had. If the gold actually sold for $100M as was reported to the numismatic community, then there is a ton of missing money. >>



Thanks for the perspective, Rick.

OINK

EagleEye

duplicate

EagleEye

Bob Evans on the disposition of the SS Central America from 2013