Three Wyoming Tie Fugitives Who Were Caught On The Lam Years After

Some folks who have been on the lam for years have Wyoming ties. Here are a few interesting runaway criminals that involve the Cowboy state.

1. Kirk T. Bush got caught in Wyoming because of a headlight out on his motorcycle. He was on the run for 26 years before his past caught up to him in Wyoming. When he was stopped by a Wyoming trooper, Bush tried to give him a phony name. Bush wasn't as sly as he thought he was. The trooper discovered his real identity and saw that he was wanted in San Diego for drug charges. He was soon cuffed and shipped back to Cali.

2. Joe Welch was known as a hard-working family man. Welch wasn't actually nabbed in Wyoming. He was nabbed by Wyoming for what many say was a waste of time. In fact, if you believe his side of things, you could easily argue he wasn't a fugitive at all. According to Welch, it was all a misunderstanding that ended with him behind bars. 31 years ago, he served time in Colorado for involvement with stolen items. Afterward, Wyoming wanted him, but the process was said to have never been clear to any party. His lawyer told him to just walk and go when the different jurisdictions couldn't figure out what to do with him. So he walked, started a life and enjoyed the Alaskan life.

According to Welch, 31 years ago, he served time in Colorado for involvement with stolen items. Afterward, Wyoming wanted him, but the process was said to have never been clear to any party. While holed up in a Colorado hospital for drug treatment, his lawyer told him to just walk out the door because the different jurisdictions couldn't figure out what to do with him. So he walked, started a life and enjoyed the Alaskan life while under the impression the lawyer had taken care of everything.

But in 2012, the Wyoming department of corrections insisted on getting him. He was caught in a restaurant while eating a prime rib dinner. The officer had enough decency to let him finish his meal.

He was eventually extradited to Wyoming. He spent four months in Torrington before Governor Matt Mead stepped in and commuted his sentence. Welch said his life and everything was turned upside down for a few months behind bars that Wyoming said they still needed.

3. It's safe to say that Edward Eugene Harper was a sick guy (photo above).  He was accused and later convicted of sex crimes against children. The FBI had the runaway on their 10 Most Wanted Fugitive list. His face was plastered all over. Harper said he fled because he knew he wouldn't get a fair trial. The self-proclaimed freeman was known as an off-the-grid isolationist. But 15 years later, his past caught up to him in the Bighorn Mountains of Washakie County where authorities found him living in a truck with a camper top.