A Prescott man who was accused of staging a fake cartel kidnapping has disappeared after fleeing during his own trial, prompting authorities to launch a search and issue a warrant for his arrest.
According to investigators, 33-year-old Mark Michael Ellis was on trial in Yavapai County after prosecutors accused him of orchestrating an elaborate hoax in which he claimed to have been kidnapped by a Mexican cartel. Authorities said the fake abduction triggered a large law enforcement investigation and caused significant concern among his family members and the public.
Prosecutors said Ellis disappeared in November 2023 before later resurfacing and claiming he had been abducted by cartel members who demanded ransom money for his release. Investigators, however, eventually concluded that the kidnapping story had been fabricated. Authorities alleged Ellis intentionally staged the incident himself.
Court proceedings against Ellis moved forward this year, but officials said he fled while the trial was still underway. According to authorities, Ellis disappeared during the middle of the proceedings and has not been located since. Investigators believe he intentionally escaped before the conclusion of the case.
Despite Ellis fleeing, the trial continued in his absence. Court officials said a jury ultimately found him guilty last week on charges connected to the fake kidnapping scheme.
Law enforcement agencies have since issued an arrest warrant for Ellis and are actively searching for him. Authorities have not publicly said where they believe he may have gone or whether investigators think he received help while fleeing.
The case drew widespread attention in Arizona because of the dramatic cartel kidnapping claims and the amount of law enforcement resources dedicated to investigating the alleged abduction. Investigators said significant manpower and public safety resources were spent attempting to locate Ellis when he originally disappeared.
Officials have not released additional details about when sentencing could occur if Ellis is captured. Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to contact law enforcement.
Source: KTAR News
