Former U.S. Army fugitive captured in Spain after 30 years on the run
Former U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jesse Bussey, 69, was captured in Málaga, Spain, in November 2025 after nearly 30 years as a fugitive. He fled his unit in Germany in 1996 before a court-martial for attacking fellow soldiers and was later convicted in absentia of rape, indecent assault, and desertion. Bussey joined the French Foreign Legion, lived homeless in Paris, then taught English under an alias in Spain. Extradited to the U.S. on June 8, 2026, he is now held at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to serve a 16-year sentence.
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US Army Fugitive Arrested in Spain After Decades on the Run
A former U.S. Army soldier, Jesse Bussey, was arrested in Málaga, Spain, in November 2025, nearly 30 years after fleeing his unit in Germany in 1996. Bussey had been convicted in absentia for rape, desertion, and indecent assault. He was living under an alias and teaching English at the time of his arrest. After disappearing, he joined the French Foreign Legion in late 1996 and served until early 2000, then assumed the identity of a Nigerian citizen. The U.S. Marshals Service, which called it one of the longest-running manhunts in its history, credited a tip from a social media request for assistance. Bussey has been extradited to the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to serve a 16-year military prison sentence, along with a reduction in rank and dishonorable discharge. The investigation involved multiple agencies including the Army, INTERPOL, Spanish police, and the Justice Department.
Military TimesUS Army fugitive arrested in Spain after decades on the run
A former U.S. Army soldier, Jesse Bussey, who was convicted in absentia of rape, desertion, and indecent assault, was arrested in Málaga, Spain, in November 2025, nearly 30 years after fleeing his unit in Germany. Bussey had been on the run since 1996 and was living under an alias, teaching English. After his disappearance, he joined the French Foreign Legion from 1996 to 2000, then assumed the identity of a younger Nigerian citizen. U.S. Marshals, with assistance from INTERPOL, Spanish police, and other agencies, apprehended him following a social media tip. He has been extradited to the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to serve a 16-year military prison sentence, along with a reduction in rank and dishonorable discharge.
Army TimesUS Army fugitive arrested in Spain after decades on the run
A former U.S. Army soldier, Jesse Bussey, convicted of rape, desertion, and indecent assault, was arrested in Málaga, Spain, in November 2025, nearly 30 years after fleeing his unit in Germany. Bussey had been on the run since 1996 and was teaching English under an alias at the time of his arrest. He had previously joined the French Foreign Legion using a different identity and later assumed the identity of a Nigerian citizen. He was extradited to the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to serve a 16-year military prison sentence. The arrest ended one of the longest-running manhunts in U.S. Marshals history, involving cooperation between the Army, INTERPOL, Spanish police, and other agencies.
Military TimesUS Army fugitive convicted of rape arrested in Spain after nearly 30 years
Former U.S. Army soldier Jesse Bussey, convicted in absentia for rape, desertion and indecent assault, was arrested in Málaga, Spain, in November 2025, nearly 30 years after fleeing his unit in Germany. He had been teaching English under an alias and previously served in the French Foreign Legion. Bussey was extradited to the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to serve a 16-year sentence. The arrest ended one of the longest-running manhunts in U.S. Marshals history, involving cooperation between the Army, INTERPOL, Spanish police, and other agencies. A social media tip led to his capture. The Army had offered a $25,000 reward for information.
Army TimesUS Army Fugitive Convicted of Rape Arrested in Spain After 30 Years on the Run
Former U.S. Army soldier Jesse Bussey, convicted in absentia for rape, desertion, and indecent assault, was arrested in Málaga, Spain, in November 2025 after evading capture for nearly 30 years. Bussey fled his unit in Schweinfurt, Germany, in 1996 and later joined the French Foreign Legion under a false identity, serving until 2000. He then assumed the identity of a much younger Nigerian citizen and lived homeless in France before moving to Spain, where he taught English under an alias. The arrest, one of the longest-running manhunts in U.S. Marshals history, was facilitated by a social media tip and involved coordination between U.S. Army CID, INTERPOL, Spanish police, and several U.S. agencies. Bussey has been extradited to the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to serve a 16-year military prison sentence, along with a reduction in rank and dishonorable discharge.
Military TimesUS Army fugitive arrested in Spain after decades on the run
Jesse Bussey, a former U.S. Army soldier convicted of rape, desertion and indecent assault, was arrested in Málaga, Spain, on November 10, 2025, ending a nearly 30-year manhunt. Bussey had been on the run since 1996, when he fled his unit in Schweinfurt, Germany. After his disappearance, he joined the French Foreign Legion under a different identity and later assumed the identity of a younger Nigerian citizen, eventually working as an English teacher in Spain. He was convicted in absentia and received a 16-year prison sentence, a reduction in rank, and a dishonorable discharge. The U.S. Marshals Service, INTERPOL, the Spanish National Police, and multiple U.S. law enforcement agencies collaborated on his capture and extradition. He is now incarcerated at the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Army TimesArmy 'Most Wanted' Fugitive Captured After 30 Years on the Run
Former U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jesse Bussey, 69, was captured in Spain after nearly 30 years as a fugitive. He disappeared in September 1996 from an Army base in Germany just before his court-martial for attacking multiple fellow soldiers. He was later convicted in absentia of rape, indecent assault, and desertion, receiving a 16-year sentence and dishonorable discharge. U.S. Marshal Nick Ricigliano, who had been tracking him since 2019, led the task force that found Bussey living under the alias David Osuji in Spain. Bussey had joined the French Foreign Legion while on the run and was homeless in Paris before settling in Spain. He was extradited to the U.S. on June 8, 2026, and is now held at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Ricigliano described the capture as a career highlight and a step toward justice for the victims.
Task & PurposeArmy 'Most Wanted' fugitive caught after 30 years on the run
Former U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jesse Bussey, 69, was captured in Spain after nearly 30 years as a fugitive and returned to the United States on June 8, 2026. Bussey disappeared in September 1996 from an Army base in Germany just before his court-martial for attacking multiple fellow soldiers. He was later convicted in absentia of rape, indecent assault, and desertion, receiving a 16-year sentence. U.S. Marshal Nick Ricigliano, who had been tracking Bussey since 2019, led the investigation. A tip in 2024 led authorities to Bussey, who was living under the alias David Osuji and working at an English academy in Málaga, Spain. While on the run, Bussey had joined the French Foreign Legion and later lived homeless in Paris. He fought extradition for months before being brought to the U.S. and is now held at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Ricigliano described the capture as a career highlight and a step toward justice for the victims.
Task & PurposeArmy ‘Most Wanted’ fugitive caught after 30 years on the run
Former Army Staff Sgt. Jesse Bussey, 69, was captured in Spain and returned to the United States on June 8, 2026, after nearly 30 years as a fugitive. Bussey went missing from an Army base in Germany in September 1996, just before facing court-martial for attacking multiple fellow soldiers. He was convicted in absentia of rape, indecent assault, and desertion, and sentenced to 16 years in prison. Acting U.S. Marshal Nick Ricigliano had been tracking Bussey since 2019. A tip led investigators to Spain, where Bussey was living under the alias David Osuji and working at an English academy. While on the run, Bussey had joined the French Foreign Legion and been homeless in Paris. He fought extradition for months before being returned to the U.S. and is now held at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Task & Purpose