Fla. Man, 62, On Run 31 Years Convicted In Marijuana Case
MIAMI (CBS4) -A man who was a fugitive from a major marijuana case for 31 years until his capture in January has been convicted of those long-ago charges.
A Miami federal judge determined Friday that 62-year-old Mark Steven Phillips was guilty of seven charges. Phillips skipped bail during his 1979 trial and was on the lam until U.S. Marshals caught up with him at a West Palm Beach retirement community.
Phillips was found guilty anyway by a jury. The judge's decision makes those verdicts official.
Phillips was charged along with 13 others of being part of the "Black Tuna Gang" that used boats supplied by Phillips to smuggle 500 tons of marijuana to the U.S. in the 1970s.
Phillips faces sentencing May 26.
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