Wanted San Diego Woman Captured in Mexico

Wanda Podgurski taunted the District Attorney on Twitter, according to the DA’s office

A convict who hid from authorities for nearly six months is back in the U.S., according to the San Diego District Attorney’s Office.

60-year-old Wanda Podgurski was arraigned Monday. She pleaded not guilty to failing to appear in court while on bail.

Back in January, a jury found Podgurski guilty on 29 felony counts relating to insurance fraud. But Podgurski, who was free on bail, didn’t show up to court that day.

U.S. Marshals had been searching for Podgurski since her missed court appearance. She was finally arrested July 4 in Mexico, nearly six months later, according to the DA’s office.

While Podgurski was on the run, a Twitter account was created in her name. On June 5, the account tweeted, “Catch me if you can." 

The DA’s office turned over the tweet to the computer technology task force. It's unclear if the tweet helped lead to her arrest.

Podgurski faked a disability in 2006 and scammed six insurance companies out of nearly $700,000, according to prosecutors. A judge sentenced Podgurski to 20 years in prison in her absence.

If convicted for failing to appear in court, Podgurski faces an additional 2 years and 8 months in prison. A readiness hearing is scheduled for July 17.

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