Alleged Hobo Gang Member Released

A man accused of being in a gang of murderous, train-riding hobos was freed after sitting in a La Crosse jail for almost a month.

John Boris was discharged Friday because, after 27 days, no law enforcement agency from another state showed up to take custody of him, the La Crosse County sheriff’s office said.

Boris chatted with reporters and walked three blocks to a Salvation Army center for a meal, then hopped a freight train out of town.

He was profiled on a July 19 segment of “America’s Most Wanted.” It dealt with the Freight Train Riders of America (FTRA), a group authorities said could be responsible for several deaths of transients in recent years.

He was held after La Crosse County deputy sheriff Steve Helgeson said he watched the show, recognized Boris and took him into custody at a hobo camp.

He said his real name was Hugh Thomas Ross, Helgeson said. When deputies checked that identity, they found Ross was wanted on a warrant for robbery in Spokane.

But Washington authorities were not interested in extraditing Ross, so La Crosse County Circuit Judge Michael Mulroy released him on a signature bond.