by Miami Beach, Florida — A man who vanished nearly two decades ago while serving federal probation has been taken back into custody after U.S. Marshals tracked him down at a Miami Beach hotel, where authorities say he had been living under a false identity and working as a personal trainer.
Federal officials confirmed that Craig Scanlon, 68, was arrested on February 2, ending an 18-year fugitive run stemming from a large-scale financial fraud case involving the embezzlement of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Long-Running Fugitive Investigation Comes to an End
According to the U.S. Marshals Service, Scanlon had been on the run since 2007, when he disappeared while nearing the end of a court-ordered probation period. He had previously served a federal prison sentence following his conviction on multiple financial crimes.
Investigators said Scanlon was located during a targeted operation in Miami Beach. When approached by law enforcement, he initially provided a false name before ultimately admitting his true identity.
“He first provided a fake name but later acknowledged who he really was,” officials stated in court records.
Scanlon was immediately taken into custody without incident and remains detained in Florida as he awaits transfer back to federal court.
Convicted of Fraud After Embezzling Nearly $700,000
Court records show Scanlon was convicted in federal court of mail fraud, interstate transportation of stolen property, and money laundering after prosecutors proved he had defrauded clients of nearly $700,000.
Following the conviction, a judge sentenced him to 46 months in federal prison, followed by a three-year probation period. Scanlon completed his prison term but disappeared before fulfilling his probation requirements.
In addition to incarceration, the court ordered Scanlon to repay more than $1.2 million, accounting for restitution, fines, and penalties related to the fraud scheme.
Suspicious Lifestyle Raised Red Flags Before Disappearance
According to an arrest warrant, concerns surrounding Scanlon escalated during a probation compliance visit conducted in November 2007.
A probation officer and supervisor reported being struck by the amount of luxury items found inside Scanlon’s rental home.
“The furniture was new, much of it still had store tags,” the warrant stated, listing high-end appliances, electronics, expensive clothing, and a fully stocked pantry.
Investigators also noted the presence of professional-grade gym equipment inside the garage, including weight benches, free weights, and even a cedar wood steam room.
The lavish setup stood in sharp contrast to Scanlon’s reported income at the time.
Financial Records Did Not Match Lifestyle
Probation documents showed Scanlon had earned just $8,501 over a six-month period, raising immediate concerns about how he could afford such purchases.
When questioned, Scanlon claimed the items were gifts from his parents. Authorities later confirmed that his parents denied providing the expensive goods, according to the warrant.
Shortly after the visit, Scanlon disappeared without notifying probation officials.
“The meeting occurred on November 15, 2007. Shortly thereafter, Scanlon vanished,” court records noted.
He later contacted his parents to apologize before cutting off communication entirely.
Lived Under False Identity for Nearly Two Decades
Investigators say Scanlon successfully avoided capture for nearly 18 years by living under an assumed name and maintaining a low profile.
Authorities confirmed he had been working as a personal trainer at a Miami Beach hotel at the time of his arrest.
Despite the passage of time, federal authorities continued to actively pursue the case.
“The Marshals Service will not stop looking for fugitives, no matter how long and how far they run,” U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott said in a statement.
Facing New Legal Consequences
Scanlon is now expected to be returned to Ohio federal court, where he faces potential additional prison time for violating probation, along with further penalties tied to his outstanding financial obligations.
Officials said the case remains active as prosecutors review next steps.
“This arrest underscores that accountability does not expire,”
officials emphasized.
Authorities Praise Multi-State Effort
Federal officials credited cooperation between investigators in Florida and Ohio for bringing the years-long manhunt to a close.
“This was the result of persistent, coordinated investigative work,” the U.S. Marshals Service said.
As Scanlon awaits his next court appearance, authorities say the case serves as a reminder that fleeing justice does not erase accountability — even decades later.
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