Florida sex offender arrested after allegedly faking his own death in 2010

TAMPA, Fla. (TCN) -- A Florida sex offender who allegedly faked his own death was arrested by U.S. marshals in Indianapolis after evading law enforcement since 2010.

On Nov. 13, the U.S. Marshals Service announced they had arrested Gary Howard, 76, a designated sex offender for life in Florida, according to WPLG. He was convicted of 22 counts of possession of child pornography in 2007. 

WTVT reports Howard had been required to register as a sex offender but violated his probation in 2010 and successfully evaded law enforcement until his arrest.

Allegedly, a rental car registered to Howard was found in 2010 near Mauzy Lake in Morganfield, Kentucky. It reportedly contained evidence staged to appear like Howard had taken his own life.

A lengthy investigation by U.S. Marshals Service Western District of Kentucky and the Great Lake Regional Fugitive Task Force found that Howard had relatives in the Indianapolis area. U.S. marshals tracked him to a historic neighborhood, where he was arrested on the front porch of a home, WTVT reports.

Howard allegedly admitted he had hoped he would be dead before authorities caught up with him.

WTVT reports Howard is awaiting extradition back to Florida, where he faces prison time for probation violation. In addition, he faces 32 possible charges for failing to register as a sex offender in Florida. 

Prosecutors in Indiana also plan to pursue charges, WIOD News Radio reports.

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