Bribery fugitive Leonard Francis, aka ‘Fat Leonard.’ Photo: U.S. Marshals Service

By SDCN Staff

San Diego, CA–The U.S. Marshals San Diego Fugitive Task Force continues their search for Leonard Francis, also known as “Fat Leonard,” who went missing on September 4 after allegedly cutting off his GPS monitor while on home confinement, authorities said.

Francis was a former military contractor who pleaded guilty in 2015 to bribing Navy officials and was on home confinement in San Diego weeks before he was scheduled to be sentenced in a $35 million bribery scandal.

U.S. Pretrial Services, the federal agency in charge of monitoring his home confinement, received an alert that his GPS ankle monitor was being tampered with. Upon following their protocols, Pretrial Services notified the U.S. Marshals about the GPS alert. 

Members of the San Diego Fugitive Task Force went to Francis’ residence, in an attempt to locate him. After announcing themselves, task force officers made entry into the residence through an unlocked door. After a thorough check of the residence, officers were unable to locate Francis. Officers were able to locate the GPS ankle monitor that had been cut off.

Francis’ current whereabouts are unknown.

Anyone with information on Francis’ whereabouts should contact the U.S. Marshals at (877) 926-8332. Anonymous tips may also be submitted via the USMS Tips App.