U.S. Army Deserter Found Living In Indiana After 19 Years

A 46-year-old man who deserted the U.S. Army in 2000 has been found living in Indiana. Police said that Robert Eugene Brodbeck managed to evade authorities while living in the small town of Clinton by using Bowman as his last name. He did not have a driver's license and took jobs that only paid him in cash. 

"He worked jobs in things where he was paid in cash," Larry Keller, dispatcher and records clerk for the Clinton Police Department, told the Indianapolis Star. "Nothing that ever required a Social Security number. He lived in a low-rent apartment. He walked everywhere and never had a driver's license. He was really no trouble."

Brodbeck's true identity was discovered after he voluntarily went to the police station to answer questions about an altercation with a co-worker. When authorities could not find anybody in their database by the name of Robert Eugene Bowmen they threatened to arrest him for providing false information.

Brodbeck told the police his real name and he was taken into custody after a background check revealed that he was wanted in Texas for skipping a court appearance and for leaving his post in the Army. He is being held at the Vermillion County Jail while he waits to be transferred into the custody of the U.S. Marshall's Service.

Photo: Vermillion County Sheriff's Office