Last year in Brevard, Fernald entered a guilty plea to a charge of Organized Fraud and was scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 20. Assistant State Attorney James McMaster planned to ask the judge to sentence Fernald to 15 years in state prison. When Fernald failed to show for sentencing, Circuit Court Judge John Harris issued a warrant for his arrest.

State Attorney Norm Wolfinger praised Melbourne Police Officer Mark Jennewein for his vigorous pursuit of Fernald and the Marshalls for their ready assistance and expertise, including Agent Joe Thomas and Detective Tony Donkowski who made the arrest.

“Officer Jennewein led the charge by arranging for Fernald’s picture to be posted on billboards throughout Brevard County. Through Jennewein’s efforts and collaboration with the U.S. Marshall’s Office and Prosecutor James McMaster, interviews with persons of interest and subpoenaing of records ultimately led to the successful apprehension of this criminal,” said State Attorney Wolfinger.

“It was basically a police-department-to-police-department thing. We’ve helped Melbourne Police Department before and they’ve helped us. We have instant cooperation,” said Kevin Engel, Supervisory Inspector for the U. S. Marshall’s New York/New Jersey regional fugitive task force.

State Attorney Wolfinger added the arrest was significant for the community.

“Fernald’s scam seized on the fears of citizens of Central Florida who had been recently victimized by the back-to-back hurricanes of 2004 and 2005. They deserve to see justice done,” said Wolfinger.

According to court documents, Fernald scammed nearly $50,000 from 25 individuals, many who are retirees, in Brevard between May 2006 and January 2007. Engel said that Fernald went to a first appearance on Thursday and was ordered held without bond. An extradition hearing is scheduled for Friday at the Nassau County Courthouse in Minneola, New York. If Fernald waives his extradition, he could be returned to Brevard in a week’s time.