Probation officer gives office BJ to boot-camp teen
Fugitive Watch: Larry Deffenbaugh, Maryland Preacher Who Faked His Death, Found In Texas
Monday, March 1, 2010 at 10:00 am
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| Larry Deffenbaugh stole $1 million from his cemetery customers before faking his own death. |
Not only was Deffenbaugh a seasoned boat captain, but he was also an expert scuba diver who'd logged thousands of hours in the open sea. His death was also just a bit too timely.
Two days before he went missing, Deffenbaugh was supposed to appear in court for a probation violation that could have landed him in prison for up to 15 years.
In September 2008, Deffenbaugh was sentenced to 5 years of probation after he'd been found guilty of stealing more than $1 million from 551 cemetery customers.
Deffenbaugh, a preacher who led Bible study groups and owned the Southern Memorial Gardens in Dunkirk, Maryland, had been charging customers for nonexistent coffins, headstones, and grave markers. The 58-year-old pocketed the cash from "prepaid burials" -- sometimes upwards of $6,000 a head -- and then used the money to pay off his car, his yacht, as well as buy fishing equipment and fancy dinners.
It wasn't until Deffenbaugh sold off Southern Memorial Gardens that his scam was revealed during a dispute with the new owners. Faced with a felony theft case, Deffenbaugh pleaded no contest and received a suspended 15-year prison sentence, as long as he obeyed the rules of his parole.
To many, it would appear that Deffenbaugh got a good deal. In exchange for being a law abiding citizen, he wouldn't have to pay any penance for his former crimes. In most cultures, we call that "getting off the hook." Still, Deffenbaugh wasn't gracious enough to embrace his undeserved blessing.
Despite being a convicted felon, Deffenbaugh bought a gun and registered it in his name -- a clear violation of his probation. He was ordered to turn over the gun, but refused.
Facing prison time once again, Deffenbaugh decided it was time for a little disappearing act. Of course, not even the authorities were convinced by the stunt and they soon launched a major man hunt.
In November, "America's Most Wanted" aired a segment about Deffenbaugh's case. But the show brought no leads or useful tips. Maryland authorities begged the show's producers to air the case one more time.
On February 10, the show re-broadcasted its piece on Deffenbaugh. This time, it worked. Authorities received a tip that Deffenbaugh was hiding out in Texas.
Sure enough, three days later Deffenbaugh was arrested in the Lone Star state, where he is now in custody and awaiting extradition to Maryland.
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