LAWYER, PROSECUTOR, FUGITIVE; FOILED BY HIS OWN SHREDDINGS

Fugitive Thomas Gilbert Longo was apprehended by Mexican Immigration Authorities and Deputy U.S. Marshals in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico on October 30, 2006, after 11 months on the run.

Deputy U.S. Marshals developed a possible location for Longo in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, after they skillfully reproduced an Email that was shredded into hundreds of pieces. The Email identified a possible location for Longo.

On October 23, Deputy U.S. Marshals set up surveillance on Thomas Longo at Calle Matamoros #370, Colonia Centro, C.P. 48300 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Investigators observed a man who fit the description of Longo on the balcony but could not positively identify him. On October 30, Investigators developed leads that Longo had yet another possible address of 971 Aquilles Serean, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. During the surveillance, investigators identified a man who fit the description of Longo and observed him leaving the gated community. Deputy U.S. Marshals followed him to the area of the Atlas Olas Bar, in Puerto Vallarta, where it was believed that Longo was meeting someone for a drink. Mexican Immigration Authorities along with Deputy U.S. Marshals apprehended Longo in the street just prior to his rendezvous at the Atlas Olas Bar.

Upon initial contact with the fugitive, Longo provided Mexican authorities and Deputy U.S. Marshals an alias of “Dave” in his broken Spanish, at the same time attempting to explain that he was from Italy.

Thomas Longo was deported by Mexican immigration authorities and transported to Los Angeles, California, where he is scheduled for a hearing this afternoon, October 31, at 5:00 pm.

“Longo was the focus of a lengthy investigation that forced investigators to think outside of the box,” said U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott.

Also today, Deputy U.S. Marshals served a search warrant on Longo’s address in Solon, OH. Prior to serving the search warrant, Carol Longo, threw a bag of shredded papers at an investigator. The evidence gained from that search warrant are being processed by the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Ohio.

Longo, who was profiled on America’s Most Wanted on July 18, 2006, obtained fugitive status almost one year ago when he failed to appear for a hearing in front of Federal District Court Judge Donald C. Nugent. Longo was wanted as a Felon in possession of numerous firearms--an un-registered machinegun and unregistered firearm silencers.

Gross Sexual Imposition Charges: This case originated out of Solon, Ohio, when a search warrant was executed on Longo’s residence in connection with a charge of Gross Sexual Imposition. Longo had allegedly used a date rape drug on a young female during a sexual assault. The Solon Police Department had secured a search warrant for Longo’s residence. During the search, 16 firearms and 3 silencers were discovered.

From 1975 through 1999, Longo worked as an attorney in a private practice and as the City of Bedford, Ohio Prosecutor/Assistant Law Director. Additionally, he worked part-time as the prosecutor for Chagrin Falls Township and Warrensville, Ohio, as well as for the law departments of Highland Hills and Solon, Ohio.

Each year the United States Marshals Service apprehends more fugitives sought for violent crimes than all federal agencies combined.