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Update: Sean Ludwick Sent to Jail

Sean P. Ludwick, a major real estate developer in Manhattan seen here after his arrest in August, is back behind bars after he was reportedly found trying to buy a large boat in which to flee the country.
Sean P. Ludwick, a major real estate developer in Manhattan seen here after his arrest in August, is back behind bars after he was reportedly found trying to buy a large boat in which to flee the country.
Taylor K. Vecsey
Authorities Believe Developer Intended to Flee to South America
By
T.E. McMorrow

Update, Jan. 21, 2:42 p.m.:  Sean Ludwick, the New York real estate developer accused of vehicular homicide in the death of a Noyac man last summer, was taken into custody Tuesday night by Southampton Town police officers at his Brick Kiln Road residence in Bridgehampton and remanded to the county jail.

According to Robert Clifford, spokesman for Suffolk District Attorney Thomas Spota, State Supreme Court Justice Fernando Camacho issued a search warrant for Mr. Ludwick last week after receiving information that he "had been making inquiries to buy a vessel outfitted with the navigational equipment necessary to travel to South America." He was arranging to take sailing lessons as well, Mr. Clifford said.

United States marshals began searching for him on Friday in Puerto Rico, where he was known to be vacationing. The island, an American territory, does not require a passport from U.S. citizens; Mr. Ludwick was ordered to surrender his passport after his arrest in August.

Mr. Clifford said the developer has likely forfeited the $1 million dollar bond on which he had been free.

After a night of drinking on Aug. 30, Mr. Ludwick crashed his 2013 Porsche on a dark Noyac road. Prosecutors charge that he then dragged the body of his passenger, Paul Hansen, out of the car and left it by the roadside. The D.A.'s office has not excluded the possibility that Mr. Hansen was alive at the time.

Benjamin Brafman, Mr. Ludwick's lawyer, declined comment on the arrest.

Originally, Jan. 20: Sean Ludwick, the New York real estate developer accused of vehicular homicide in the death of a Noyac man last summer, was taken into custody this week by United States marshals on a Caribbean island, reportedly Puerto Rico.

He was reportedly trying to buy a large boat in which to flee the country.

Mr. Ludwick was brought back to Suffolk County Tuesday and sent to jail. Robert Clifford, a spokesman for District Attorney Thomas Spota, said he has likely forfeited the $1 million dollar bond on which he had been free.

After a night of drinking on Aug. 30, Mr. Ludwick crashed his 2013 Porsche on a dark Noyac road. Prosecutors charge that he then dragged the body of his passenger, Paul Hansen, out of the car and left it by the roadside. The D.A.'s office has not excluded the possibility that Mr. Hansen was alive at the time.

Benjamin Brafman, Mr. Ludwick's lawyer, declined to comment yesterday on the arrest.

 

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