Guy Runs From FBI on SeaScooter

[Doc Reeves 6434]

Seems this was an unfortunate method to go on the run from the federales

 

A man wanted for his role in an alleged $35 million Ponzi scheme was arrested Monday after evading FBI agents by swimming into California's largest reservoir using an underwater "sea scooter," federal prosecutors said. Matthew Piercey spent about 25 minutes in frigid Lake Shasta using the Yamaha 350Li submersible device before he eventually resurfaced and was handcuffed, CBS Sacramento reported.

When agents went to arrest Piercey, he hopped in a pickup and led them on a chase that ended at the shoreline of the lake north of Redding.

"Then, Piercey abandoned his truck near the edge of Lake Shasta, pulled something out of it, and swam into Lake Shasta," federal prosecutors wrote in court documents calling Piercey a flight risk. "Piercey spent some time out of sight underwater where law enforcement could only see bubbles."

Agents later learned Piercey had a sea scooter, a motorized device that pull users underwater at speeds of about 4 miles per hour. A Yamaha tutorial video describes the "sea scooter" as having underwater propulsion that allows users to cruise at depths of 100 feet below the surface, CBS Sacramento reported.

Click here to view embedded media

Attorney Josh Kons has clients who are alleged victims.

"You know, you never know what is going through someone's mind when they're being pursued by the FBI," Kons told CBS Sacramento. "And we kept investigating, and all of a sudden today, here he is trying to escape into a lake, using a submersible device."

Last week, a grand jury indicted Piercey and his business partner, Kenneth Winton, 67, of Oroville, the Sacramento Bee reported. It wasn't immediately known if the 44-year-old has an attorney.

Piercey is accused of bilking investors into giving $35 million to his companies, Family Wealth Legacy and Zolla, promising guaranteed returns using an "Upvesting Fund" that allegedly was an algorithmic trading fund with a history of success, prosecutors said.

Piercey allegedly admitted privately to an associate that there was no Upvesting Fund, prosecutors said. Piercey originally recruited Winton as an investor, but Winton eventually took on management responsibilities at Zolla.

They used some investor money for various business and personal expenses, including two residential properties and a houseboat. Few, if any, liquid assets remain to repay investors, prosecutors said.

Piercey faces charges including wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, and witness tampering. His arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday. Winton, who has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, has an initial court appearance on Thursday.

If convicted, both Winton and Piercey face 20 years in prison and hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines.

Winton's attorney, Adam G. Gasner, told the Bee his client "looks forward to the judicial process shedding light on what actually occurred here."

[Doc Reeves 6434]

[Brisketexan 106889]

1 -- such a chase is always cooler in a James Bond movie

2 -- such a chase is much likelier to have a successful end for the fugitive if it is not conducted in a finite body of water, like a lake.

[Trey3216 15452]

5 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

1 -- such a chase is always cooler in a James Bond movie

2 -- such a chase is much likelier to have a successful end for the fugitive if it is not conducted in a finite body of water, like a lake.

I guess it’s better than gliding through the kelp fields I. The Pacific Ocean where he may be lucky enough to encounter a hungry White Shark.   But I hear ya.  

[strangulation! 1716]

was he trying to paddle to new zealand?

[Doc Reeves 6434]

[atomheartbevo 90642]

28 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

1 -- such a chase is always cooler in a James Bond movie

Based on the water temps, this chase far cooler than any in a James Bond movie.

[Brisketexan 106889]

2 minutes ago, atomheartbevo said:

Based on the water temps, this chase far cooler than any in a James Bond movie.

Oh, I'm sure his testicles are still in hiding.

[Incredulity 11876]

Shasta's water is not clear either.  looks like about 4' of visibility is common.

[smuggs 9397]

[Trey3216 15452]

4 minutes ago, Incredulity said:

Shasta's water is not clear either.  looks like about 4' of visibility is common.

I know why...

[Trey3216 15452]

1 minute ago, smuggs said:

damnit.  Almost simultaneous post.  

[RDCanecutter 26881]

Sea Scooter? What? Was his Gyrocopter in the shop?

[Jerry Callo 8959]

That only works if you have an subterranean liar accessible only though an underwater secret cave.

[Incredulity 11876]

6 minutes ago, Jerry Callo said:

That only works if you have an subterranean liar accessible only though an underwater secret cave.

sharks, lazerbeams, fricken head....

[Jerry Callo 8959]

6 minutes ago, Incredulity said:

sharks, lazerbeams, fricken head....

In a pinch, you could get by with ill tempered sea bass.

[Trey3216 15452]

14 minutes ago, Jerry Callo said:

That only works if you have an subterranean liar accessible only though an underwater secret cave.

Is that a politician underwater??  

[Jerry Callo 8959]

38 minutes ago, Trey3216 said:

Is that a politician underwater??  

Damn.  I originally typed layer.  At least I ended up with the right letters.

[Hate 20247]

If only it had been something like stupid drug charges instead of stealing other people's money, I would have rooted for the guy to get away just because that is a pretty epic escape attempt. 

[El Diablo 4232]

Dibs on "Subterranean Liar" as a band name. First album? Sea Scooter Segway. 

[Hate 20247]

48 minutes ago, El Diablo said:

Dibs on "Subterranean Liar" as a band name. First album? Sea Scooter Segway Getaway. 

fixed

[HornsOverIthaca 2339]

1 hour ago, El Diablo said:

Dibs on "Subterranean Liar" as a band name. First album? Sea Scooter Segway. 

Behold, the Underminer! I'm always beneath you, but nothing is beneath me! I hereby declare war on peace and happiness!

[Blotto 24013]

9 hours ago, Brisketexan said:

1 -- such a chase is always cooler in a James Bond movie

2 -- such a chase is much likelier to have a successful end for the fugitive if it is not conducted in a finite body of water, like a lake.

 Pond, James Pond. 

Edited November 18, 2020 by Blotto

[ConferenceRoom 6214]

 

[RPM 26622]

 

[bernorange 8385]

I'd like to be
Under the sea
In an octopus' garden
In the shade
...
We would be warm
Below the storm
In our little hideaway
Beneath the waves

Resting our head
On the seabed
In an octopus' garden
Near a cave

We would sing
And dance around
Because we know
We can't be found
...

[crash_davis 23470]

Here's the genius. He probably needed the scooter sub thing just to get underwater. All that blubber is quite buoyant. 

[RPM 26622]

Shoulda used one of these.

[RexWilson 1502]

When I read the thread title this is what/who came to mind

 

[Nice Guy Eddie 13729]

22 hours ago, strangulation! said:

was he trying to paddle to new zealand?

no way Bells is bigger than Waimea bro

[Nivek 17408]

no way Bells is bigger than Waimea bro

Gimme two!