GREELEY - Greeley businessman Mark Strodtman, who was arrested as a fugitive in Mexico Sept. 23, is behind bars at the Weld County Jail. Sheriff's deputies took Strodtman into custody at the Los Angeles County Jail Oct. 9 and transported him back to Greeley where he was jailed in the afternoon.

Strodtman's capture came seven months after his indictment on charges of racketeering, 11 counts of theft and 11 counts of forgery, as well as a federal charge of unlawful flight. The Weld County charges could carry a sentence of up to 378 years, if aggravated circumstances are met. The racketeering charge, under the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, carries a sentence of up to 48 years.

Strodtman's indictment alleges he induced, or directed others to induce, buyers by agreeing to pay them a kickback from the proceeds of the sale of the homes, under-representing the amount of the monthly mortgage payments, and encouraging them to occupy the home prior to closing the sale.

It also alleges that Strodtman assisted in securing financing for the purchase of JS Real Estate's homes by providing lenders with false information, including inflated incomes and assets and falsely verified employment and outstanding loans.

Strodman had indicated he would turn himself in to the sheriff's department after the charges were filed but then failed to do so. The Weld County Sheriff's Office started working with the FBI several months ago. Strodtman was featured on the America's Most Wanted Web site, after which tips about his whereabouts were received.

Strodtman's business partner in JS Real Estate, Dean Juhl, pleaded guilty on Feb. 13 to theft of $15,000 or more and to second-degree forgery. He received a four-year deferred sentence, will serve 30 days in jail, complete 100 hours of community service and pay restitution.