Drowned in Lies: Maine Fugitive “Surfaces” in Missouri

Portland, ME – The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Maine Violent Offender Task Force (MVOTF) announces the arrest of Gregory Heimann, 51, on a federal arrest warrant for Making False Statements. Heimann was a fugitive for over a year evading law enforcement after the issuance of an April 29, 2024, arrest warrant from the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General.

On April 19, 2024, Heimann disappeared from his residence after taking a canoe with his belongings to a river near the Canadian border. Initially, it was believed Heimann may have drowned. Over 15 Game Wardens, dozens of civilians, aircraft, watercraft, and all-terrain vehicles from the Maine Game Warden Service responded to the call and began a search that lasted several days, all in an attempt to find Heimann or recover his body. After further investigation, though it was made to look like a possible drowning, it was determined that Heimann was in fact not deceased and his disappearance was ruled suspicious.

For over a year, investigators from state, local, and federal agencies conducted interviews and followed up on leads to learn the whereabouts of Heimann. On August 21, 2025, after receiving a collateral lead from the USMS District of Maine Violent Offender Task Force, U.S. Marshals from the Eastern District of Missouri, identified a subject who matched the physical similarities of Heimann at an Amtrak Station in La Plata, Missouri.

The subject, who initially gave a false name, was then positively identified as Heimann and taken into custody. Heimann will return to the State of Maine, pending his extradition to face federal and possible further state charges.

The USMS District of Maine, Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal, Josh Taylor said: “This investigation underscores the extent of commitment that our Task Force and its partners will go, pursuing those who evade law enforcement. Fugitives will find no refuge. If you’re wanted, regardless of location, we will find you, you will be apprehended, and you will be brought to justice!”

The United States Marshal Service Maine Violent Offender Task Force would like to recognize the USMS Eastern District of Missouri, Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, and the Maine Warden Service who assisted in this investigation.

The USMS, Maine Violent Offender Task Force is comprised of members of the U.S. Marshals Service, Maine Department of Corrections, Biddeford Police Department, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Maine National Guard Counterdrug Task Force and the Coast Guard Investigative Service.

If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of any state or federal fugitive,
please contact the U.S. Marshals Service at MED.TIPLINE@usdoj.gov, or submit a USMS Web Tip.