US marshals capture elusive fugitive involved in fraud scheme

CLEVELAND — Late Monday night, the United States Marshals Service captured one of country's most wanted and elusive fugitives who is accused of stealing millions of dollars that had been donated for the sole purpose of aiding U.S. veterans.

“Bobby Thompson”, which was an alias, was on the run for more than two years where he assumed numerous fictitious names and was known to alter his appearance. He was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, identity theft, fraud, and money laundering.

In the early 2000s, the subject, using the alias “Bobby Thompson”, founded the U.S. Navy Veterans Association, a charitable organization whose stated mission was to provide assistance to veterans and members of the U.S. Armed Forces.

The USNVA claimed to have a national headquarters in Washington D.C., but its base of operations was the Tampa, Fla., area. From its inception to summer 2010, it is estimated the USNVA received close to $100 million dollars in nationwide donations. Officials in several states are investigating the USNVA and it is believed little, if any, of the money actually benefited veterans or current service members, marshals said.

In August 2010, “Thompson” was charged in Ohio with various offenses relating to this fraudulent activity. A co-conspirator is currently serving a five year prison sentence in Ohio for her role in this scam after pleading guilty in June 2011, according to a marshals press release.