Vietnam deserter caught after 36 years on the run

A United States marine, who spent more than 36 years on the run as a deserter from the Vietnam war, was behind bars today, awaiting word on his fate as officials decided if and how his case would be prosecuted.

Ernest Johnson Jr, 55, was arrested last Thursday in Fort Worth, Texas, on a federal warrant for military desertion – stemming from his 1969 decision to leave Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where he was stationed with the Marines.