Cuba turns over U.S. fugitive who fled to island

Cuba turns over U.S. fugitive who fled to island

Shawn Wegmann of Indiana fled to Cuba on Oct. 31, the U.S. Marshals
Service said
Wegmann, allegedly an enforcer for a motorcycle gang, was wanted on
firearms charges
He's the first fugitive returned from Cuba to the U.S. since diplomatic
relations began in July

BY JAY WEAVER
jweaver@miamiherald.com

An Indiana man wanted on firearms charges was brought back from Cuba to
South Florida by federal marshals on Tuesday, marking the first fugitive
to be turned over to the U.S. government since it established diplomatic
relations with the island nation this year.

Shawn Wegmann, an alleged enforcer for a Midwestern motorcycle gang, was
detained by Cuban authorities on Oct. 31 after he ripped off his GPS
ankle monitor, stole a 13-foot boat in Key West and crossed the Florida
Straits, authorities said Tuesday.

In early November, the U.S. Marshals Service was notified that the
38-year-old Wegmann had been detained while attempting to enter Cuba,
authorities said.

On Tuesday, a team of federal marshals flew to Havana to pick up Wegmann
from Cuban authorities at Jose Marti International Airport. The marshals
returned with him to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

"Wegmann is the first fugitive who has been returned to the United
States by the Cuban government after fleeing to Cuba since diplomatic
relations began" in July, said U.S. Marshal Amos Rojas Jr., who led the
trip to Havana.

On Wednesday, Wegmann will have his first appearance in Miami federal
court, where he will have an extradition hearing to face criminal
charges in Iowa. Previously free on a bond, Wegmann is charged with
three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and three
counts of possessing a stolen firearm.

Despite Cuba's cooperation in turning over Wegmann to U.S. authorities,
dozens of Cuban immigrants charged with or convicted of defrauding the
federal Medicare program are suspected of living on the island. The FBI
and Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General have compiled
a list of defendants whose cases date back years.

Jay Weaver: 305-376-3446, @jayhweaver

Source: Cuba turns over U.S. fugitive who fled to island | Miami Herald
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