A Phoenix-based TV pitchman who failed to show for his arraignment on numerous fraud related offenses was captured Thursday evening by U.S. Marshals near Warner Road and Priest Drive in Tempe.
An arrest warrant was issued for the 46-year-old Lapre after he was a no-show at his arraignment. He is charged with running a nationwide scheme to sell essentially worthless Internet-based businesses.
A grand jury indicted Lapre, 46, on 41 counts of conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud and promotional money laundering. He's accused of encouraging people to sell worthless vitamins through a company called "The Greatest Vitamin in the World."
The government says at least 220,000 people were defrauded of nearly $52 million.
It's not immediately clear whether Lapre has a lawyer yet.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
