Man Arrested After Faking His Own Death

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. - A former Calvert County cemetery owner, convicted of stealing more than one million dollars from 500 customers, has been extradited to Maryland from Harris County, Texas.

Larry Deffenbaugh was arrested two weeks ago after the story of his flight from justice was profiled a third time on America's Most Wanted.

Maryland prosecutors say the 58 year old former preacher faked his own death last May when he disappeared during a fishing trip with his brother on Chesapeake Bay near Virginia Beach.

Deffenbaugh disappeared two days before a court date for violating his probation.

He had been convicted in September 2008 and sentenced to 15 years in prison but the judge suspended the sentence and placed Deffenbaugh on probation.

Facing the possibility of being ordered to prison for the full 15 years, Deffenbaugh allegedly faked his death.

Authorities say an alert viewer near Houston recognized Deffenbaugh from the AMW broadcast February 13 and called police.