TAMPA - A Pinellas County sex offender who previously staged his own death and evaded law enforcement for 16 years, was arrested in Indiana, the U.S. Marshal’s Office said.

The backstory:

Gary W. Howard, 76, was convicted of 22 counts of child pornography possession in Pinellas County, requiring him to register as a sex offender for life.

MORE: Florida man indicted for sexual battery on children could face death penalty: ‘True evil’

In 2010, Howard violated his probation and began lying low from law enforcement for years.

According to the U.S. Marshal’s Office, a rental vehicle belonging to Howard was found near Mauzy Lake in Morganfield, KY. Investigators believed Howard was attempting to mislead law enforcement. Evidence revealed Howard was trying to make it appear that he

See Full Page