Allen Todd May, a 60-year-old man who escaped from a federal prison camp in Colorado and evaded capture for nearly five years, has been sentenced to ten years in prison. This sentence follows his guilty plea to two counts of wire fraud, one count of escape, and one count of aggravated identity theft. His new sentence will be served consecutively to the approximately seven years remaining on a previous sentence imposed in the Northern District of Texas.
In addition to his prison term, May is required to serve three years on supervised release after completing his sentence. He must also pay $9,113,375.49 in restitution and forfeit assets obtained through fraudulent activities.
The plea agreement revealed that between mid-2016 and December 2018, while serving a 20-year sentence at the Federal Prison Camp in Englewood, Colorado, May devised a scheme involving false claims to oil and gas royalties not yet claimed by their rightful owners. Using an unlawfully obtained iPhone purchased from another inmate, he acquired over $700,000 through this scheme.
May worked as a facilities clerk at the prison camp and drove vehicles on its grounds. On December 21, 2018, he drove off the compound and managed to evade federal law enforcement for almost five years. During this time as a fugitive, he continued his fraudulent activities related to oil and gas royalties and accumulated $8 million more by stealing identities of inmates serving long sentences.
His arrest came in August 2023 when the United States Marshals Service apprehended him in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Acting United States Attorney J. Bishop Grewell commented on May's return to custody: “The people of Colorado and Florida are safer today because Allen Todd May is back behind bars.” FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek remarked on May's actions: “This repeat offender demonstrated a blatant disregard for the law... The defendant's actions leave no doubt that he is a threat to society.”
District of Colorado U.S. Marshal Kirk Taylor acknowledged an anonymous tipster whose information led directly to May’s arrest: “I want to recognize and thank the anonymous tipster... Their relentless pursuit of this fugitive... is a true testament to the U.S. Marshals Service.”
United States District Court Judge Daniel D. Domenico presided over the sentencing proceedings. The investigation was conducted by the United States Marshals Service alongside the FBI Denver Field Office with prosecution handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Martha Paluch and Tonya S. Andrews.