St. Croix, USVI - On August 11, 2020, the Economic Crimes Unit initiated an investigation into Mr. Michael Adair Ellenburg. Their investigation revealed that Michael Ellenburg maliciously hacked into an unknown source, found conversations with the complainant in reference to a closing cost and then impersonated the realtor, by emailing the complainant requesting that he wire $23,003.96 fraudulently to Ellenburg’s Bank of America account.

Michael Adair Ellenburg

An arrest warrant was obtained for Michael Ellenburg in reference to this matter and was entered into the National Crime Information Center database. On October 7, 2022, while a Sheriff Deputy in Missoula was on patrol, he discovered that Ellenburg had an outstanding warrant and placed him in custody. On November 10, 2022, Michael Ellenburg signed a waiver of extradition, and the United States Marshals was contacted to assist the Virgin Islands Police Department and start the extradition process.

On January 27, 2023 at 12:06 p.m., Economic Crimes Unit Detectives traveled to John A. Bell Adult Correction Facility, where Michael Ellenburg was served the arrest warrant and placed under arrest without incident. Ellenburg was advised of his Miranda Rights; however, refused to provide a statement. Subsequently, Michael Ellenburg, age 74, was booked and charged with Obtaining Money by False Pretenses, Grand Larceny, and Acting in Assumed Character.

Based on the incident, bail was set at $25,000.00 for the alleged incident. Unable to post bail, in the amount of $25,000.00, Michael Ellenburg was remanded to the John A. Bell Adult Correction Facility pending his Advice of Rights Hearing scheduled for Monday, January 30, 2023, at the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands.

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All individuals listed as arrested or charged with a crime in this press release are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.