American fugitive arrested in Bangkok

[Thaivisa News]

Bangkok: Immigration police have arrested a 60-year-old American who is wanted under a US court’s arrest warrant for having allegedly cheated at least 12 Americans.

The arrest of Antonius "Antony" W Ceulen was announced at a press conference at the Immigration Bureau by bureau chief Pol Lt Gen Sakda Chuenpakdee and Immigration Police Division 1 Commander Pol Maj Gen Pornchai Khanti.

Pornchai said Ceulen is wanted by the US authorities under an arrest warrant No 05CF62 issued by the Wisconsin Court in the United States.

The Immigration Bureau was informed that Ceulen and his accomplices had sold promissory notes to at least 12 American investors in Wisconsin and other parts of the US, Pornchai said.

Ceulen told the investors that their money would help Lippmann Co Lt to receive more than US$130 million in a loan and the investors would get their money back with high returns in short period.

Ceulen and his accomplices allegedly hid certain facts from the investors and none of them got their money back. The Thai Immigration Bureau was told that Ceulen’s alleged crime carries a maximum jail term of 10 years.

Pornchai said the Thai Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant on November 12 last year for Ceulen’s arrest under the extradition treaty with the US government.

He said investigators of the bureau found that the American fugitive was living in a room of the Lumpini Condominium with his Thai wife in Ram Indra sub-district in Khannayao district.

Pornchai said when police raided the room, they showed the arrest warrant of the US court to the American and arrested him and took him to the Immigration Bureau.

[Pib]

....when police raided the room, they showed the arrest warrant of the US court to the American and arrested him and took him to the Immigration Bureau.

Don't guess he'll be getting any more retirement extensions of stay approved.

[NeverSure]

In the US, each state has its own court system to enforce state laws. The US Feds have a court system with a courthouse in almost every sizeable town. They of course enforce federal law. This is a federal beef resulting if convicted in federal prison, not state prison.

There is no parole in the federal system. I wouldn't be surprised to see more charges added after he's in custody in the US. Unlawful flight to avoid prosecution under U.S. Code § 1073 is just one that comes to mind.

If convicted this guy is going to get about 20 years and serve every day of it.

[Lupatria]

There must be a good reason why all these crooks show up here. Gives the impression all the righteous wealthy expats in this country could hold their annual gathering in a 40 sqm apartment.

[Pib]

There must be a good reason why all these crooks show up here. Gives the impression all the righteous wealthy expats in this country could hold their annual gathering in a 40 sqm apartment.

A good life with little fear of the Thai police. It's only when the authorities of another country contact the Thai police with arrest and location info that the Thai police seem to be able to locate/arrest a foreign crook on the run in Thailand....or should I say kicking back at home or in a bar or working another scam versus on the run.

[maidee]

criminals better use the internet first and look for countries that do no do extraditions

venezuela?

[KhnomKhnom]

More support for the smart rules that limit entry to Thailand and for staying here. The 90day also helps catch the reported large clump of foreign criminals hiding here.

[JusMe]

American or Canadian? Aaah, who cares, eh? Pretty much the same according to some.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/807488-fugitive-canadian-arrested-in-bangkok/

[mango66]

In the US, each state has its own court system to enforce state laws. The US Feds have a court system with a courthouse in almost every sizeable town. They of course enforce federal law. This is a federal beef resulting if convicted in federal prison, not state prison.

There is no parole in the federal system. I wouldn't be surprised to see more charges added after he's in custody in the US. Unlawful flight to avoid prosecution under U.S. Code § 1073 is just one that comes to mind.

If convicted this guy is going to get about 20 years and serve every day of it.

In Thailand he would be free next day on bail of 2.000,- thb, and some tea money;

and court would rule: 10 years inprisonate or 10.000,- thb , ( or both ? no no )

whatever he would choose ! LOS !!

[Srikcir]

In the US, each state has its own court system to enforce state laws. The US Feds have a court system with a courthouse in almost every sizeable town. They of course enforce federal law. This is a federal beef resulting if convicted in federal prison, not state prison.

There is no parole in the federal system. I wouldn't be surprised to see more charges added after he's in custody in the US. Unlawful flight to avoid prosecution under U.S. Code § 1073 is just one that comes to mind.

If convicted this guy is going to get about 20 years and serve every day of it.

A possible fact check - anyone convicted for a federal offense prior to November 1, 1987 is eligible for parole.

Also, the federal court system generally begins with district courts, followed by court of appeals, then the US Supreme Court. The nation is divided into (94) geographical districts defined by states and US territories having separate district courts for civil, criminal, and bankruptcy cases. So obviously, there cannot be a federal court in "almost every sizeable town."

Placement of state courts (vs. federal courts) is usually defined instead by population, tax base, and political gerrymandering. As a result you might see a state courthouse in very small towns within a state.

Edited March 11, 2015 by Srikcir

[Srikcir]

It is good to see that Thailand respects meaningful foreign arrest warrants and it will receive reciprocal treatment. As seems the case in many such apprehensions, Thailand gets added benefit for discovering an illegal immigrant and/or one who is engaged in further criminal activities within Thailand. As international legal boundaries shrink, criminals should find it more difficult to find sanctuary from prosecution. This is an aspect not even envisioned in the ASEAN Community.

[poweratradio]

In the US, each state has its own court system to enforce state laws. The US Feds have a court system with a courthouse in almost every sizeable town. They of course enforce federal law. This is a federal beef resulting if convicted in federal prison, not state prison.

There is no parole in the federal system. I wouldn't be surprised to see more charges added after he's in custody in the US. Unlawful flight to avoid prosecution under U.S. Code § 1073 is just one that comes to mind.

If convicted this guy is going to get about 20 years and serve every day of it.

Fed prisons are 5 star compared to state prisons. White collar crimes get the private cottages and look after parks

[american12bthai]

but if a thai guy does this exact same thing... he get away. everytime.

[jcisco]

but if a thai guy does this exact same thing... he get away. everytime.

And that point you are making stopped making sense when I was 5 yrs of age, got something more constructive