The "person of interest" in a Moorhead double-homicide investigation has a long criminal history, including a stint in federal prison that ended last fall and three active arrest warrants.
Moorhead police reiterated Tuesday their desire to find 38-year-old Tracy Allan Zornes and question him in connection with the apartment fire that left two people dead last Friday.
Provisional autopsy reports indicate the manner of death for victims John Phillip Cadotte, 20, and Megan Joy Londo, 25, is homicide, police said.
Zornes' link to the case is unclear, but police emphasized Tuesday the man's criminal past and his history of fleeing from police.
Among his previous convictions, Zornes was sentenced in 2001 to nearly 6½ years in federal prison and two years of supervised release for possessing stolen explosives, court records show.
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He served the sentence in Leavenworth, Kan.
After his release, Zornes violated his probation in 2007 by testing positive for cocaine, failing to submit reports to his probation officer, failing to show up for work and drinking alcohol, records show.
For the violations, Zornes was sent back to federal prison until his release last Sept. 15, records show.
Zornes has three warrants for his arrest in Minnesota, including two that were issued prior to his release from federal prison.
In January 2008, Cass County issued a warrant related to charges of fleeing a peace officer and driving after cancellation, records show.
In September 2008, Becker County issued a warrant related to first-degree burglary and gun possession charges.
The third active warrant is from Itasca County from last October relating to drunken driving charges, court records show.
In addition, Zornes has convictions in Minnesota for aggravated robbery, second-degree assault, theft of a firearm, first-degree burglary and escaping from custody, records show.
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Police have not said why Zornes is being sought as a "person of interest."
At a news conference on Monday, Deputy Chief Shannon Monroe would only say Zornes' name has come up often in the investigation.
Both Zornes and Megan Londo, one of the victims, are from Naytahwaush, Minn.
Londo's mother and stepfather said Tuesday that Zornes' sister lives next door to them in Naytahwaush, but they do not know Zornes and have no reason to think that Megan Londo knew him, either.
A message left at the home of Zornes' sister, Lisa Zornes, wasn't returned on Tuesday.
Police have urged anyone who sees Zornes to call authorities instead of approaching him.
On a Native American inmates pen pal Web site, Zornes described himself as a member of the White Earth Tribe who enjoys harvesting wild rice and making maple syrup on the reservation.
He said he is 200 pounds and 6 feet 2 inches tall.
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Police seek tips
Police are asking the public's help to find Tracy Allan Zornes. Tips can be provided to Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477), online at www.crimestoppersmn.org or by texting TIP674, plus a message to CRIM(274637). Tip information is evaluated and may qualify for up to a $1,000 reward.
