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Press Release

Man Who Allegedly Escaped From Prison In 1973 Charged With Identity Theft And Unlawful Possession Of A Firearm

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Iowa

Ronald Dwaine Carnes, age 69, from Waterloo, Iowa, has been charged with misuse of Social Security numbers, aggravated identity theft and possession of a firearm by a felon and fugitive from justice.  The charges are contained in a Complaint filed on June 23, 2014, in United States District Court in Cedar Rapids. 

The Complaint alleges that Carnes was convicted of Robbery with Firearms in North Carolina in November 1970.  He allegedly escaped from prison on or about August 4, 1973.  Following his alleged escape, Carnes allegedly lived under the identities of two different persons to avoid detection by law enforcement.  Carnes also allegedly used the two identities to collect Social Security benefits and to apply for Iowa drivers’ licenses.  During an April 14, 2014, search of Carnes’ residence in Waterloo, Iowa, law enforcement agents allegedly found certified copies of birth certificates for both identities as well as a handgun and ammunition. 

Carnes appeared today in federal court in Cedar Rapids and was held without bond.  Carnes’ next appearance for a preliminary hearing is set for July 9, 2014, at 4:00 p.m. 

As with any criminal case, a charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt and was investigated by Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations.

Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.  The case file number is 14-mj-157.

Updated February 19, 2015