‘Fat Leonard’ Makes His Escape, Federal Authorities Launch Manhunt

Nearly a dozen U.S. law enforcement agencies are in pursuit of Leonard Glenn Francis, the former Malaysian defense contractor convicted of a historic, multimillion-dollar U.S. Navy bribery scandal. Known as “Fat Leonard,” Francis fled custody from home detention and disappeared just three weeks before he was to face sentencing.

U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services (PPS) was responsible for monitoring Francis' home confinement. Following an alert, PPS informed USMS of the tampering recorded on Francis' GPS ankle monitor. Authorities found the residence unlocked, empty of Francis.

The Mexican border is a 40-minute drive from Francis' home in San Diego, California. Vehicles are rarely stopped as they cross into the border city of Tijuana.

Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal, Omar Castillo stated Mexican authorities are on alert as the U.S. Marshal Services (USMS) believes Francis has already left the country and may already be on his way to Asia. Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation into Francis' whereabouts, Supervisory Deputy Castillo could not share any new leads or comment on any potential accomplices.

Francis pleaded guilty in 2015 to bribery charges worth $35 million as the mastermind of a Naval officer corruption ring. In exchange for helping U.S. prosecutors indict three dozen military officials, Francis accepted a plea deal as previously reported by FEDagent. According to court records, Francis has been living in home detention under court-approved “medical furloughs” for treatment of renal cancer and other health issues since 2018.

The sentencing hearing was scheduled for September 22 before U.S. District Court Judge Janis Sammartino.

"We are under the impression that this was pre-planned—neighbors did inform the Marshals Service that they did see U-Hauls coming and going over time," stated Deputy U.S. Marshal Antonio Kirby. "We are following all leads as they come in."

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