Manatee detectives locate missing fugitive

One of Manatee County’s most wanted fugitives is back in custody after more than two years on the run.

Manatee County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested North Manatee resident Larry Laudig, 71, following tips garnered from a feature on the show "America's Most Wanted."

Laudig was wanted for molestation of a child under age 12. Laudig entered a guilty plea for the crime that occurred back in July  2006 but fled before his sentencing date. 

Dep. Sid Jones of the Sheriff’s Warrants Section, through extensive investigation, found Laudig was staying in Mexico. Deputies then conducted an international investigation with the help of the U.S. Marshal’s Office and Mexican authorities. Jones worked closely with the U.S. Marshal’s Office to locate Laudig in Morelia, Mexico, and extradited him back to Florida. 

Laudig is now charged with failure to appear on the original case of lewd and lascivious molestation with a minor.