I believe that Michael was on the run for a year. The Boston Globe writes that Soutar was first noticed in the early 1990's, by '96 he pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, forgery, fraud, embezzlement and credit card fraud. He was serving prison time, but escaped when he was released to have knee surgery. Charged with bigamy in Texas, but not convicted. He was always charming and loved the high roller life.
Attorney Generals office called me to advise me of his capture in August of 2005. They were working on extradition back to Santa Fe. It seems like there were some other states trying to get a hold of him as well. Now, after all this time has passed they are asking me questions again, they really wanted to nail this guy. Again, they wanted me to come and testify. I finally had to contact a lawyer friend and he started talking to them. Interestingly enough his daughter is a lawyer in Albuquerque,NM and when everything was said and done, I didn't have to go to testify. It is not that I didn't think he was guilty and he had over charged my credit card, but I really was just a very small part of the big picture.
Michael Soutar was accused of taking between $150,000 and $200,000 from investors at the Santa Fe Market. He was charged with securities fraud, securities sales by an unlicensed broker, racketeering, forgery, check and credit-card fraud. The Jurors deliberated only an hour before returning the verdict of guilty. He will be serving a 36 year sentence. I can say I was conned by one of the best!!!
I could say "thank you" to Michael Soutar for his part in my journey. Today, I am content with where I am and selling gourds at Fine Art Shows in Ohio. Being "out there" isn't as important as it once was. I have made amazing friends from Eureka Springs, AR and many places beyond. All because of this little event, an entanglement in my original plans, turned out to be a wonderful thing!
If you are incline to learn more about Michael Soutar, you can google him, he is on the first page! Amazing.
Because of a beautiful roommate who invited Michael W. Soutar to live with us in Austin while awaiting his house to sell in NM so he could purchase a $500,000 home from the same roommate...
ReplyDeleteMany of our friends were now caught in his web of deceit fortunately most were only emotionally affected. After he left town "on the day of the signing" and I searched his room and found a Glock (sp?)...the police were finally called. Although our financial lives were only slightly affected compared to others I have read about, our lives were changed. Some of the stuff I witnessed during our 3 weeks of knowing him made me distrust many others.