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Convicted Hit-and-Run Driver Apprehended After Attempting to Flee to Iraq
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A man found guilty of a hit-and-run that resulted in one fatality and another individual injured has been arrested after trying to escape the country. This incident follows a jury’s conviction of Max Mones last week for his involvement in the deadly crash.
The jury rendered its decision on Friday concerning Mones, who was charged with abandoning the scene of a collision that killed Kenneth Ham and injured Elena Russell in July 2019. Following the verdict, Judge Jessica Peterson of the Clark County District Court ordered Mones to remain under monitoring and to surrender his passport. However, within hours of the verdict, Mones departed the United States en route to Iraq.
Footage surfaced on social media platform TikTok, where Mones allegedly posted an image of a flight leaving Las Vegas, captioned with “Goodbye Las Vegas,” drawing the attention of law enforcement. He also reportedly communicated with friends, indicating his intention to return to his native country if found guilty.
Authorities tracked down Mones in Dubai, where he was detained during a layover on his connecting flight. He was subsequently returned to the U.S. and arrested in San Francisco on Sunday.
As of Monday, Mones is facing additional felony charges. At this point, no booking photo has been made available.
This case highlights a troubling pattern, as another individual, Iurie Trofim, is under scrutiny for a separate incident involving impaired driving that led to the death of a motorcyclist. Trofim was arrested shortly after the August crash that killed Carson Heath, a 55-year-old Marine Corps veteran. After being released on bail, Trofim reportedly sold his home and fled to Moldova. Notably, the U.S. lacks an extradition treaty with Moldova, meaning that the potential for Trofim’s return to face justice remains uncertain.
These incidents serve as a stark reminder of the legal challenges faced when offenders attempt to evade justice by fleeing the country.
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Source
www.yahoo.com