IT security entrepreneur John McAfee has been arrested in Guatemala on charges of illegal entry and is now facing deportation.
The 67-year-old McAfee apparently entered Guatemala as part of his ongoing efforts to evade police in Belize, where he is wanted for questioning in the murder of his neighbor on Nov. 11. The arrest was made a short time after McAfee applied for asylum in Guatemala, and as of Thursday morning, it was unknown whether McAfee would be deported to the United States or deported to Belize.
"It seems that there's been a government decision to throw him out of Guatemala," Telesforo Guerra, his attorney, told the Associated Press.
[Related: Partners Tracking John McAfee Story With Interest]
The fugitive has gone to great lengths to avoid capture and has told reporters that he fears for his life if he is turned over to Belizean authorities. McAfee claims that he has knowledge of political corruption in Belize, and he has refused to make "cash donations" to Belizean politicians.
Police in Belize deny that McAfee's life would be in danger if he re-entered the country for questioning and noted that there is currently no warrant for his arrest.
McAfee had been involved in a series of disputes with neighbors and local authorities over aggressive dogs and allegations around illegal guns and drug paraphernalia. He has reportedly acknowledged that the disputes occurred but denied any role in the shooting death of his neighbor, Gregory Viant Faull, formerly of Florida.
While on the run, McAfee went to great lengths to avoid authorities but would occasionally conduct press interviews and post blog updates.
McAfee is believed to have accumulated wealth in excess of $100 million as a result of founding the security company that bears his name. But, he moved to Central America after all but a few million dollars' worth of his fortune had been lost through failed investments and eccentric lifestyle choices. He claims to have moved to Belize three years ago based on the lower cost-of-living and tax advantages. Since leaving the technology industry, he has dabbled in a variety of fields, including alternative medicine and light aviation.
PUBLISHED DEC. 6, 2012
