72 Year Old Fugitive Known for Marijuana-Infused Rum Caught In Oregon

Monday, November 03, 2014

David Cath, GoLocalPDX Contributor

John Forbis, 72, was caught by the Lane County Sheriff's Department outside Eugene after 20 years on the run. Photo Credit: Lane County Sheriff's Office.

Twenty years ago, a New York drug dealer jumped bail and fled from one of upstate New York.

After two decades on the run, the man has been caught and arrested, according to Lane County's Sheriff's Office.

John Franklin Forbis, 72, was arrested on Thursday, Oct. 30, at his home in the Coast Range west of Eugene.

The fugitive was caught after applying for Social Security benefits using his true identity, according to a statement from the sheriff's office.

In 1992, New York State Police caught Forbis with $1 million worth of marijuana, which was hidden in a storage shed. Forbis had specialized in making marijuana-infused rum, according to Columbia County District Attorney Paul Czajka.

Forbis was found guilty of first-degree possession of marijuana, and sentenced to five to 15 years in prison.

"It’s the biggest pot case we’ve ever had," Czajka said.

Forbis is due to be extradited back to New York where he will serve his sentence.

Photo Credit: MsSaraKelly via Compfight cc