A former congressman was arrested at Washington Dulles International Airport on Monday for having written a bad check for $50,000 years earlier, and then fleeing the country before the case was resolved.

Walter Fauntroy, also known for his work as a civil rights activist, was apprehended by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers upon returning to the U.S. from Dubai early Monday morning. Agents said his customs check revealed an outstanding warrant for the 83-year-old man after he failed to appear in court for a case involving the invalid check.