NEWARK, N.J. — A U.S. Army fugitive who evaded authorities for nearly three decades after deserting his post and being convicted of rape has been captured in Spain and extradited to the United States, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.
Jesse Bussey, one of the U.S. Army's Most Wanted Fugitives, was arrested on Nov. 10, 2025, in Malaga, Spain, ending what authorities described as one of the longest manhunts in U.S. Marshals Service history.
Bussey had been wanted since Sept. 3, 1996, when he disappeared from Schweinfurt, Germany. Investigators said he was last seen fueling his Toyota MR-2 at a military post exchange gas station before deserting his post.
Following his disappearance, Bussey was convicted in absentia by a military court-martial on charges of rape, two counts of indecent assault, and desertion. He was sentenced to 16 years in military prison, reduced in rank to E-1, and dishonorably discharged from the Army.
According to investigators, Bussey fled Army jurisdiction in Germany and later joined the French Foreign Legion under an assumed identity in late 1996. After completing his service in 2000, he reportedly lived homeless in France before adopting the identity of a Nigerian citizen nearly two decades younger than his actual age.
The international investigation spanned years and involved interviews with victims, relatives, and former associates. U.S. Marshals developed extensive information about Bussey's habits and possible whereabouts, ultimately focusing their efforts in Europe and Africa after determining he had likely never returned to the United States.
A breakthrough came after a member of the public responded to a social media appeal from the U.S. Marshals Service. The tip led investigators to David Osuji, director of the Malaga English Academy in Spain.
Authorities said further investigation revealed several unusual connections that raised suspicions Osuji was actually Bussey. Through international cooperation and multiple investigative techniques involving the U.S. Marshals Service, its Office of International Operations, and Spain's National Police, officials positively identified Osuji as Bussey.
"The arrest and extradition of Jesse Bussey after almost three decades demonstrates our Deputy U.S. Marshals' unwavering commitment to bringing fugitives to justice no matter how much time has passed," said U.S. Marshals Service Director Gadyaces S. Serralta. "This capture is a victory for the victims and their families who have waited so long for justice."
Bussey remained in custody in Spain until his extradition to the United States. He has since been transferred to the United States Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where he will begin serving his military prison sentence.
The investigation involved the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division, INTERPOL, the Spanish National Police, the Dover Police Department in Delaware, the New Jersey State Police, and other international partners. The U.S. Department of Justice's Office of International Affairs and Spain's Ministry of Justice also assisted in securing Bussey's arrest and extradition.
Officials said the case demonstrates the Marshals Service's commitment to pursuing fugitives regardless of how much time has passed since the crimes were committed.
