Arthur Jones was a commodities trader who made a big trading mistake and was forced to sell his seat to pay off the debt. This cost him his job and, because he already had a troubled marriage, he decided to make a run for it.

Investigators say Jones acquired a fake identity for $800 before leaving his wife and kids in Illinois in 1979. His wife told police at the time that Jones never missed a meal at home and was never gone overnight. She said her husband appeared upset and told her he had a business meeting and left the home.

According to an affidavit obtained by 8 News NOW, the new identity package included a birth certificate, driver's license, and Social Security card. Thirty one years later, that Social Security number would prove to be Jones' downfall.

“The (Social Security Administration) contacted us investigating possible fraud, because he was using the (Social Security number) of a real person,” Malone said. “He's paying taxes with that and contributing to Social Security. Somewhere along the line, that other person looked at his Social Security account and realized something was wrong and contacted the Social Security Administration.”

If you think this was cool, an amazing fete of getting lost in the system, you are right. However, before his big move to Las Vegas, Mr. Jones lived as his alias in Florida AND California, where he was arrested for larceny. Before he could be taken in he evaded the police and ended up in Vegas where he has lived since the late 1980s. And those charges? They are now felonies. This everyday ordinary man will, no doubt, be going to prison. We have to ask, was it worth it?

For more on this insightful story check out Las Vegas Now.

Featured Image via Las Vegas Now