An American fugitive who has been hiding out in Belize for over two years will be back in the custody of American authorities within 72 hours.
61-year-old James Robert Harold today appeared before Chief Magistrate Herbert Lord where he waived his right to an extradition hearing and agreed to go. Harold who also goes by the alias, Samuel L. Foster is wanted in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Florida, and North Carolina on 30 counts of mail fraud, wire fraud, interstate transportation of securities obtained by fraud and money laundering. All told, Harold is accused of scamming US$3 million from investors.
Local newspapers report that after he arrived in Belize in February of 2002, Harold bought his Belizean citizenship through the economic citizenship program.
Harold has 72 hours left in Belize which he will spend at the Hattieville prison. On Monday, he will be handed over to U.S. authorities and flown out.