Suspect on the Run Since 1994 Pleads Guilty

Today, 47 year old Juan Carlos Marin-Cardona appeared in federal court and pleaded guilty to escaping from federal custody in 1994.

Marin-Cardona, who has been in custody since his arrest in April 2017, faces a statutory penalty of not more than 5 years in federal prison and a $5,000 fine. According to documents filed in the case, the Southern District of Florida sentenced Juan Carlos Marin-Cardona to almost 6 years imprisonment for the felony offenses of importation of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. During a transfer to an Eden, Texas facility the Columbia native escaped custody and has been on the run ever since.

Deputies finally located Marin-Cardona living in a foreign county under the name Alexander Rey Marin Cardona.  In March 2017, USMS deputies were ultimately able to apprehend Marin-Cardona in Houston, Texas, at the airport.