Czech Fugitive Indicted Following Arrest by THP

NASHVILLE, Tenn., — Good law enforcement work and effective information-sharing has led to the indictment of an international fugitive from the Czech Republic.

A grand jury in Henderson County has indicted 44-year-old Vladimir Deus on charges of identity theft, altering a license plate and driving without a license.  Court dates are pending and federal immigration agents (ICE) have filed an Immigration Detainer-Notice of Action against Deus at the Henderson County Jail.

On January 18th, Trooper Charles W. Woods observed a 2002 Maroon Pontiac with expired tags traveling eastbound on I-40 in Henderson County.  He stopped the vehicle near the 108 mile marker.  The driver, Mr. Deus, did not have a valid driver license and the registration on the vehicle was expired.

Further investigation revealed that the Tennessee tag on the 2002 Pontiac had been altered and that Mr. Deus did not have a passport.  Investigators also learned that Deus had a fake international driver license in the name of a Tennessee resident.  Later, investigators discovered that Mr. Deus had purchased a fake Social Security card for $1,500 in Memphis and had his photo placed on the fake international driver license.  Mr. Deus gave a sworn statement to Trooper Woods and agents with the THP Criminal Investigations Division admitting to altering the license plate and identity theft of the Tennessee resident.

Department of Safety Commissioner David Mitchell says, “It is just this type of information sharing between law enforcement agencies that helps put a stop to organized criminal activity and even potential acts of terrorism.”

The F-B-I Joint Terrorism Task Force and ICE officials were notified because Trooper Woods initially suspected that the subject might be a terrorist.  Though not believed to be involved in terrorist activity, Mr. Deus is wanted by the Czech Republic for maltreatment sexual offenses and aggravated theft.  Deus told investigators he has lived in the U.S. for approximately eight years and also uses the names of Vladamir Borsos and David Sivy.

“F-B-I agents have credited Trooper Woods with good police work beyond making a traffic stop that led to the arrest of an international fugitive,” said THP Commander Colonel Mike Walker.  “We ask every Trooper to look beyond the citation, and this is a prime example of their efforts that occur every single day.”

After facing charges in Henderson County, Deus could be deported to his home country to serve his sentence.

The Tennessee Department of Safety (www.tennessee.gov/safety) is responsible for ensuring the safety and general welfare of the traveling public.  The department’s general areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education and motorist services including the issuance of driver licenses.  The department and its highly trained staff of Troopers are responsible for s