about madmax...

**evilbike** · 10-28-2006,04:41 AM

i live in owensboro and met madmax twice and read the paper online and saw this article this morning ( told me his name was barry dixon)
from http://www.messenger-inquirer.com

Police: Fugitive couple nabbed

Family was well-known for Halloween displays

10/28/06

By Christy Attlesey
Messenger-Inquirer

A couple known for inviting hundreds of people to their annual homemade haunted house were arrested Friday after evading federal authorities for the past eight years, police said.

Christopher Dwayne Smith

Living as Barry and Jamie Dixon, Christopher Dwayne Smith, 46, and Helen Kay Smith, 46, were arrested Friday by the Owensboro Police Department on felony warrants from Bowling Green.

The Smiths were indicted in 1997 on mail and wire fraud charges. In 1998, Christopher Smith was sentenced to 34 months in prison, and Helen Smith was sentenced to 18 months. In addition, each was ordered to pay more than $100,000 in restitution.

The Smiths were co-conspirators in a scheme to defraud insurance companies, according to court documents. During a three-year period, they staged about 30 accidents and fictitious slip-and-fall episodes. They filed about 65 insurance claims and collected $500,000.

The couple were released on bail. Instead of reporting later to jail, they moved themselves and their two children to Owensboro in August 1998, police said.

For the past three years, the Smiths lived at 3309 Christie Place. Their home had become well-known throughout the years for elaborate Halloween yard displays and a haunted house.

Owensboro police discovered the fugitives about 2:30 a.m. Friday, when a 26-year-old neighbor claimed Christopher Smith groped her as she toured his haunted house.

Police officers went to the Smiths' home to question them about the incident. The couple were unable to produce photo identification, and the Social Security numbers they gave police didn't match the names they were using, said Jeff Arntz, public relations officer for Owensboro police.

The couple were taken to the Owensboro Police Department for additional questioning. While talking to police, Helen Smith gave her real name, and officers learned about the warrants, Arntz said.

Owensboro police did not file any charges against the couple.

The Smiths were released to the U.S. Marshals Service at 1 p.m. and returned to Bowling Green, where they face additional charges.

Deputy U.S. Marshal Chuck Gilbert said the Smiths will be charged with failing to report to jail in 1998. Additional charges are possible, he said.

The couple will appear in federal court at 11 a.m. Monday, Gilbert said.

While living in Owensboro, Christopher Smith worked as a self-employed painter, and Helen Smith home-schooled the children.

The 16-year-old son hadn't been in public schools since he was in third grade, and the 12-year-old son had never attended public schools, Arntz said.

The two boys are in the custody of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

Gilbert said he was not shocked to learn that the couple was hiding in a city one hour away from Bowling Green.

The Smiths' family denies knowing about the couple's whereabouts, but the U.S. Marshals Service is investigating the matter further, he said.

Gilbert was surprised, however, to learn that they were inviting the public to their home each Halloween.

Betty Cauley, a neighbor, said the Smiths didn't socialize much.

"They just kept to themselves," she said.

Cauley said the couple didn't leave their house much, never had company visiting and did most outdoor errands during the night.

"They were loners," said Linda Vincent, another neighbor. "I hadn't seen the oldest son in at least a year."

**dacostasr** · 10-28-2006,05:02 AM

Holy COW!! is this for real????

Dennis

**zero** · 10-28-2006,05:58 AM

???????????

**Stonez00** · 10-28-2006,07:01 AM

The Law won.

I hope it's not the madmax that posts here.

**evilbike** · 10-28-2006,07:43 AM

it is the madmax that posts from here. I went to his house last year and was planning on going this monday.

**tcarter** · 10-28-2006,07:58 AM

How much sense does it make to draw that much attention to yourself by being known for big displays if You're a fugitive?

**jdubbya** · 10-28-2006,08:15 AM

Originally Posted by tcarter

How much sense does it make to draw that much attention to yourself by being known for big displays if You're a fugitive?

I was thinking the same thing. At this point, maybe comments and speculation are best left out of it. Let madmax addressit if he chooses. My sense is that if he doesn't post in awhile, it would be fair to assume something's up. Really too bad if it is him. He was an interesting cat and had a ton of good ideas. He helped out a lot of folks on this and other boards. Hey, we all have skeletons in the closet. Sad.