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left-of-center2012

(34,195 posts) Thu Nov 2, 2017, 05:13 PM Nov 2017

Air Force vet missing for 40 years found living a double life

An Air Force vet missing for 40 years was found living a double life

A serviceman who disappeared 40 years ago from an Air Force Base in North Dakota was found living a double life in Seminole County, Fla., investigators said.

Jeffrey Michels, 64, of Sanford, Fla., is in the custody of the United States Air Force after he was arrested last Thursday on charges of desertion. According to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons website, Michels failed to report for duty at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota on July 6, 1977. He hadn’t been seen or heard from since.

The Facebook group “Veteran Doe” posted a picture of Michels on July 9, looking for information on the missing airman. However, Michels wasn’t missing — he was living at a home in the Terra Bella neighborhood in Sanford with his wife and kids under an alias, which he used for years, investigators said.

According to a police report, Michels went by the name Jeffrey Lantz. Records showed he used the name in 1998 to obtain a license from the state of Florida for his construction business called Atlantic Development Corporation. He also used the name to buy a home in Seminole County, according to the county’s property appraisers website.

Because there is no statute of limitations for desertion, Michels will stand trial in a military court.

13 replies

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Highlight:

Air Force vet missing for 40 years found living a double life (Original Post) left-of-center2012 Nov 2017 OP

Lifetime movie Phentex Nov 2017 #1

He can collect retirement benefits now Generic Other Nov 2017 #2

A guy at work said if someone ever wants to disappear, move to Florida and work in the Keys. TheBlackAdder Nov 2017 #3

"if someone ever wants to disappear, move to Florida and work in the Keys" left-of-center2012 Nov 2017 #4

If memory serves Cirque du So-What Nov 2017 #7

not sure where this info comes from (beyond a guy-at-work), but DrDan Nov 2017 #12

Isn't Minot cold as balls? Who could blame him? Blue_Tires Nov 2017 #5

Not only is it cold as balls, it's a million miles from nowhere. Angleae Nov 2017 #9

Meh. He didn't miss any credible threats to the U.S.A.... hunter Nov 2017 #6

Interesting...disarming him seems a priority in your mind. Marengo Nov 2017 #11

It'd be sad if he shot himself over this. hunter Nov 2017 #13

George w. bush went missing from the air force and he became, yortsed snacilbuper Nov 2017 #8

Florida man again? Minot?! Maybe he deserves a break HAB911 Nov 2017 #10

Phentex

(16,334 posts)

1. Lifetime movie

Reply to left-of-center2012 (Original post)

Thu Nov 2, 2017, 05:24 PM

Nov 2017

seems like we've heard this story before. I always feel bad for the kids.

Generic Other

(28,979 posts)

2. He can collect retirement benefits now

Reply to left-of-center2012 (Original post)

Thu Nov 2, 2017, 05:29 PM

Nov 2017

40 years!

TheBlackAdder

(28,209 posts)

3. A guy at work said if someone ever wants to disappear, move to Florida and work in the Keys.

Reply to left-of-center2012 (Original post)

Thu Nov 2, 2017, 05:34 PM

Nov 2017

Apparently, Florida is so fucked up that they have a bunch of these types living in the state.

What fucking state issues drivers and business licenses, and allows the sale of a house to someone with an alias?

left-of-center2012

(34,195 posts)

4. "if someone ever wants to disappear, move to Florida and work in the Keys"

Reply to TheBlackAdder (Reply #3)

Thu Nov 2, 2017, 05:39 PM

Nov 2017

Maybe it's the gators?

Cirque du So-What

(25,941 posts)

7. If memory serves

Reply to TheBlackAdder (Reply #3)

Thu Nov 2, 2017, 06:19 PM

Nov 2017

I've heard about a lot of missing people turning up in Florida - more than other locales.

DrDan

(20,411 posts)

12. not sure where this info comes from (beyond a guy-at-work), but

Reply to TheBlackAdder (Reply #3)

Fri Nov 3, 2017, 08:31 AM

Nov 2017

here are requirements for Florida drivers license

1.Turn in your out-of-state driver's license.
2.Present proof of identity, including proof of name, date of birth, residency, Social Security number, and signature. ...
3.Pass a vision screening.
4.Pass a DMV written test.
5.Pass a driving test, if asked.

Blue_Tires

(55,445 posts)

5. Isn't Minot cold as balls? Who could blame him?

Reply to left-of-center2012 (Original post)

Thu Nov 2, 2017, 05:45 PM

Nov 2017

I had a college professor who was stationed there... In a couple of winters he went from flag-waving patriot to hardcore firebrand black nationalist revolutionary...

Angleae

(4,487 posts)

9. Not only is it cold as balls, it's a million miles from nowhere.

Reply to Blue_Tires (Reply #5)

Fri Nov 3, 2017, 07:43 AM

Nov 2017

As it was explained to me when I was in (late 80s), if it wasn't for the post office just outside the gate, Minot AFB would be officially designated as a remote assignment.

hunter

(38,317 posts)

6. Meh. He didn't miss any credible threats to the U.S.A....

Reply to left-of-center2012 (Original post)

Thu Nov 2, 2017, 05:47 PM

Nov 2017

Slap a dishonorable discharge on him, take away his guns if he has any, and move on.

Marengo

(3,477 posts)

11. Interesting...disarming him seems a priority in your mind.

Reply to hunter (Reply #6)

Fri Nov 3, 2017, 07:56 AM

Nov 2017

hunter

(38,317 posts)

13. It'd be sad if he shot himself over this.

Reply to Marengo (Reply #11)

Fri Nov 3, 2017, 10:34 AM

Nov 2017

That was my first thought.

It's also federal law. Those convicted of desertion and for certain categories of dishonorable discharge are not allowed to own guns.