Sean Ludwick, a New York real estate executive, who is out on bail for vehicular homicide and drunken driving charges, was rearrested by prosecutors who claimed he was making plans to flee to South America. This time, the bail has been temporarily revoked as Ludwick was escorted into a Central Islip N.Y. courtroom Tuesday.
Daily Mail UK reports that several people got suspicious when Ludwick negotiated to buy a $400,000 50-foot sailboat that could travel so South America. Among those who got suspicious was an FBI agent moonlighting as a sailing instructor. Ludwick reportedly kept probing this sailing instructor of his personal knowledge about extradition laws in South American nations, particularly Venezuela. He even went as far as transferring $385,000 to his account in Puerto Rico to complete the sale.
The concierge of the hotel where Ludwick was staying also became suspicious and contacted authorities from New York the moment he learned who Ludwick is and the charges he is facing. The US Marshals Service and Long Island authorities then tracked Ludwick's movements. The executive travelled from Puerto Rico to Miami, to Connecticut, and eventually to Sag Harbor, New York where he resides and where he got rearrested.
ABC News has reported that Ludwick made hundreds of internet searches with keywords "countries with no extradition treaties with the US", "percentage of bail jumpers," and "how to be an effective liar."
New York State Supreme Court Justice Fernando Camacho said, "I don't think any amount of bail would assure his return to court. He's remanded."
According to Ludwick's lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, his client wasn't trying to flee as he has two children he would have to leave behind, as reported by New York Post. He also added that the internet searches do not prove his client plans to flee his charges. He only dismissed them as "fantasizing."
Sean Ludwick was charged of manslaughter and DUI when he left his passenger to die on August 30, 2015. Prosecutors have said Ludwick crashed his Porsche into a utility pole and dragged his passenger's body out of the car and left the body outside the passenger's house. However, the crash has prevented the vehicle from going more than a quarter-mile.
