Chico man accused of mortgage fraud extradited from Spain

SACRAMENTO
September 25, 2009 11:57am

Garret Griffith Gililland III, 28, of Chico is back in the United States after a year-long extradition and asylum battle in Spanish courts.

Mr. Gililland has been indicted on 30 felony accusations for his suspected role in a mortgage fraud scheme in the Chico area. The charges include mail fraud in connection with fraudulent mortgage applications and receiving money from sellers outside of escrow.

He is also accused of conspiracy to launder funds, one count of bulk cash smuggling, and one count of conspiracy to manufacture over 100 marijuana plants. The marijuana charge stems from a number of the fraudulently-acquired homes that were turned into marijuana grow-houses, the government says. The bulk cash smuggling involves a scheme to mail $20,000 in cash inside a can of Pringles to Mr. Gililland in Spain, say prosecutors.

Mr. Gililland fled abroad shortly after a search warrant was executed on his Chico home in June 2008, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell Carlberg, who is prosecuting the case.

He was arrested by Spanish authorities in October 2008. He contested extradition to the United States and after losing his extradition battle, sought asylum from Spain. The Spanish denied Mr. Gililland’s asylum petition and ordered him returned to the United States

“This case should dramatically illustrate to defendants that they can run, but they cannot hide,” says U.S. Attorney Lawrence Brown. “The long-arm of the law will follow you, wherever you go.”