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.

Johnson said he deserted because he opposed the Vietnam War, telling the Fort Worth Star-Telegram in a prison interview last Friday that the war was “a mistake from Day One”.

He spent the next three decades drifting between California, Oregon, Arizona, Indiana, Michigan and Texas. He was arrested on Thursday in Fort Worth, where he was living with his girlfriend.

Johnson, who used the surname McQueen throughout his life, remained jailed without bail as authorities decided whether he would be sent to North Carolina to face charges.

If brought before a court martial and found guilty, he could be sentenced to up to three years in prison and be dishonourably discharged, Marine Capt. Jay Delarosa, a spokesman, said in Monday’s editions of the Star-Telegram.

“I guess I’ll have to take whatever comes my way,” Johnson said, adding that he did not believe he should be punished. “I’m not a criminal. I’m not a crook. I’ve never had one violent offence.”

But he said he felt relieved by his arrest after spending more than half his life as a fugitive.

“They were hot on my tail a few times, and they were hot on my tail this time,” said Johnson, who said he suffers from prostate cancer and knee and shoulder ailments. “I could have run this time, but I said, ’No, my running days are over with’.”