Disgraced former disability lawyer Eric C. Conn plotted his escape for a year before absconding from home detention weeks before he was to be sentenced in a massive fraud case, according to a federal indictment unsealed Monday.
The indictment levels new charges against Conn and Curtis Lee Wyatt, who worked for Conn at his law office in Stanville and allegedly tested security at the U.S. border with Mexico on Conn’s behalf. ...
The indictment charged that Wyatt, of Raccoon in Pike County, took a number of steps to help Conn escape, including opening a bank account in Wyatt’s name that Conn used to transfer money out of the country. ...
Wyatt also allegedly bought a 2002 Dodge Ram pickup truck from an unnamed seller in Somerset in May for $3,425, then delivered it to Conn in Lexington on June 1 for him to use in the escape. Wyatt had the truck registered under the name Disability Services LLC. ...
In the weeks leading up to the escape, Conn also had Wyatt use pedestrian entrances to Mexico at Nogales, Ariz., and Columbus, N.M., in order to test security procedures for people crossing into Mexico from the U.S., the indictment said.
The FBI found the truck in New Mexico. ...
The indictment also mentions an unindicted co-conspirator. That can refer to someone who is cooperating with authorities in a case. ...
Wyatt also allegedly played a role in trying to discredit an employee at the Social Security Administration who had tried to bring attention to potential improprieties by Conn and David B. Daugherty, an administrative law judge who rubber-stamped disability claims for Conn.
Conn came up with a scheme to have his employees follow the woman, Sarah Carver, to try to discredit her by catching her not working from home on days when she was supposed to, according to sworn statements from other former Conn employees to U.S. Senate investigators. ...
I've never crossed the U.S.-Mexico border. Don't the Mexican authorities ask to see a passport?
When I used to cross in the 70's and 80's they never asked for nothing. I'm sure it is diff now.
ReplyDeleteGranted this was pre-new rules due to 9/11, but you could get into Canada or Mexico with your picture ID. I think even now a person only needs the passport to get back into the USA.
ReplyDeletethere are pedestrian entrances at most southern border crossings. Typically, no passport is checked or required, but they do stand and watch and have the right to stop and check you.
ReplyDeletewas stationed in san diego in 06-09, we walked across the border to Tijuana no questions asked. You only needs docs when coming back in the US.
ReplyDeleteCanada requires US entrants to show a US passport but that is only because the US requires it to re-enter the US. The Canucks want to make sure you don't get stuck on their side of the fence. I've only entered Mexico by sea and didn't have to show a passport but I've no idea about air or land entry.
ReplyDeleteI also did the pedestrian walk-through, back in the mid-90s and no passport was required. this was at Laredo, TX.
ReplyDeletePassports are required when arriving by airs.
ReplyDeletePassport is required here in Southern Cali but only like the last 5 years or so. Before Mexico wanted Gringos coming in with their strong dollar especially around Tijuana and Ensenada. Also lived near the Yuma, Ariz, border for a while.
ReplyDeleteIt was always easy to get into Mexico and hard to get back into the States (especially if you had a car). Now, it is more strict but not really. Mexico really does not care.
I crossed on foot 40 years ago, and it was easy. It is more difficult to come back by car.
ReplyDelete