A Louisiana trespassing complaint took an unexpected turn when deputies discovered a man riding a lawnmower on private property was actually a fugitive wanted in Utah for nearly two decades. Richard Schleininger, 49, had lived undetected in Bayou Blue for 11 years—working cash jobs, avoiding ID checks, and staying off law enforcement’s radar—until his arrest unraveled his hidden past. Now facing extradition, his case exposes how fugitives can vanish in plain sight.
Fugitive Lived Undetected in Bayou Blue for Over a Decade
BAYOU BLUE, La. (AP) — A routine trespassing complaint in Lafourche Parish led to the arrest of a fugitive from Utah who had been evading authorities for more than a decade. Richard Schleininger, 49, was apprehended after deputies spotted him riding a lawnmower past multiple “No Trespassing” signs in Bayou Blue.
Sheriff Craig Webre revealed that Schleininger had lived in the area for approximately 11 years, avoiding detection by working cash-only jobs and never obtaining identification.
A Fugitive “Hiding in Plain Sight”
“This man was hiding in plain sight,” Sheriff Webre stated in a news release. “Other than an animal complaint in 2014, we had no prior interactions with him. By working odd jobs for cash and avoiding traditional employment, he never had to verify his identity.”
When arrested on January 8, Schleininger initially provided a false name and carried no ID. However, fingerprint analysis confirmed his true identity, linking him to outstanding warrants in Bountiful, Utah, for aggravated assault and felony theft dating back to 2003 and 2004.
Extradition Pending as New Charges Filed
After posting a $1,000 bond on January 9, Schleininger was briefly released but rearrested on January 23 when Utah authorities initiated extradition proceedings.
In addition to his Utah charges, Schleininger now faces local counts of criminal trespassing and resisting an officer in Lafourche Parish. Lt. Brennan Matherne, a sheriff’s office spokesperson, said it remains unclear whether Schleininger has legal representation.
The case highlights how fugitives can evade capture for years by living off the grid—until an unexpected encounter with law enforcement brings their past to light.
