Software Giant McAfee Deported From Guatemala, Now In Miami
GUATEMALA CITY (CBSMiami/AP) — Anti-virus software founder John McAfee is spending the night on South Beach after a whirlwind trip that had him leaving an Guatemalan jail Wednesday morning and touching down at Miami International Airport.
McAfee arrived on an American Airlines commercial flight just before 7 p.m. MIA spokesperson Greg Chin said McAfee was escorted by federal agents through customs. From there, McAfee caught a cab and made his way to Miami Beach, where he checked into the the Beacon Hotel.
"It was a very tricky negotiation getting out of Guatemala, they wanted to return me to Belize," McAfee told CBS4 cameras outside the hotel.
McAfee, 67, was released from detention in Guatemala City and was escorted by immigration officials to the airport to board a plane bound for the U.S. On Tuesday, a Guatemalan judge determined McAfee's detainment was illegal and ordered his release. He was given 10 days to leave the country.
"This morning I was in jail. Today, here I am." When asked why he chose Miami, McAfee responded, "I had no choice, they put me on an airplane and I am here."
A source familiar with the McAfee's situation tells CBS4 News that McAfee was briefly questioned by IRS agents after he got off the plane in Miami. The source told CBS4 investigator Jim DeFede that federal agents are examining whether McAfee engaged in money laundering or tax evasion when he left the United States three years ago and settled in Belize.
The programmer had been held in a Guatemalan jail since his arrest for illegally entering the country last week. He was seeking asylum in the Central American country after claiming law enforcement officials in Belize were trying to charge him with murder in the death of his neighbor, Gregory Viant Faull.
McAfee went on the run last month after officials tried to question him about the death of Faull, who was shot to death in early November on the Belize island where both men lived.
"Let me be clear, I had nothing to do, absolutely nothing, with the murder in Belize," said McAfee. "He was a nice enough regular fellow. He drank a lot, he didn't like my dogs, nobody liked my dogs. They bothered me as well, they barked all night long. I barely knew the man."
U.S. federal agents are also expected to investigate the apparent murder of Fuall. Since the neighbor was an American citizen his killer could be tried in a U.S. courtroom even though the crime took place in Belize. Police officials in Belize wanted to question McAfee before he left the country but were unable to.
Now McAfee could face those same questions but this time from FBI agents.
"For seven months I have been speaking out against the [Belizean] government, openly, angrily. I am a thorn in their side and they want to shut me up.," said McAfee. "Unfortunately, now that I am here they cannot shut me up."
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