A convicted murderer who escaped from a Florida prison more than 30 years ago was taken into custody this morning in Colorado.
Frederick Mark Barrett, 60, was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals, without incident, at a cabin near Montrose, according to a U.S. Justice Department media release.
Barrett escaped from the Florida Department of Corrections in 1979.
This morning, deputy U.S. marshals and other federal officers, disguised as fire protection officials, approached the cabin and talked with Barrett about fire concerns in the area, the release said.
A deputy spotted a tattoo on Barrett’s hand and that helped convince investigators they had their man. Officers shed the ruse, identifying themselves, and Barrett was busted.
During the arrest officers spotted several firearms inside the cabin in plain view as well as a small marijuana grow operation, the release said.
Barrett is being held at the Montrose County Jail awaiting extradition to Florida.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com.
