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Randy Quaid Arrested as Fugitive, CA Extradition Expected

By Ephrat Livni, Esq. on October 14, 2015 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

After five years of evading authorities in California, actor Randy Quaid and his wife, Evi, are being held in jail in Vermont on $500,000 bail each. Neither has posted bail.

The Quaids fled the U.S. after being charged with felony vandalism, among other charges. The property at issue was once their own -- the couple was reportedly squatting in the guest house on land that previously belonged to them. They did not hang around to resolve the case.

The Quaid Conspiracy

Randy Quaid, who was known for his performances in Independence Day and Kingpin, has in recent years gained a reputation for his conspiracy theory and legal antics. Quaid and his wife fled the United States in 2010, claiming that a cabal of Hollywood insiders -- made up of accountants and lawyers -- was trying to kill him.

In 2011, the couple fled to Canada. They were in contact with a Vanity Fair reporter who met them in Vancouver and wrote that the couple was living part-time in a Prius with all their worldly goods and their dog.

"Only on nights when we're too terrified to leave our stuff or don't feel secure," Evi told Vanity Fair. "We used to have a Mercedes. This whole ordeal has forced us to become incredibly green."

Canada Denies Quaid Asylum Claims

The Quaids sought asylum from the Canadian government on the basis of the above conspiracy. The claim was ultimately denied but Evi was granted citizenship based on her father being Canadian.

In 2013, Randy Quaid's request for permanent residency was denied and he skipped a subsequent Immigration and Review Board meeting. His whereabouts were unknown until May of this year. He was expected to be deported to the United States on October 14.

Unfashionably Early Arrival

Instead, the Quaids showed up early. They were caught trying to enter the United States at the Vermont border on Friday night. Identified by border patrol as fugitives, the Quaids were arrested and held in custody.

Vermont authorities have reportedly determined that the couple meets the requirements for extradition to California based on warrants issued for them in Santa Barbara County before they fled the US in 2010.

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