( CNN ) -- Federal authorities say they have arrested a fugitive in rural Florida who was on the lam for 30 years after faking a heart attack to escape from prison . A handwritten document buried in a file led cold case investigators to Ian Jackson MacDonald , 71 , the U.S . Marshals Service said in a statement . They arrested him Tuesday in Homosassa , Florida . `` I was told that he just let out a big sigh and said , 'Yeah , you 're right -- you got me , ' '' U.S . Marshals senior Inspector Barry Golden told CNN affiliate CBC News . Authorities allege that MacDonald , who went by the nickname `` Big Mac , '' faked a heart attack while he was in a federal prison in South Miami-Dade County in 1980 . He later escaped from a hospital , the U.S . Marshals said . MacDonald had been awaiting extradition on a Canadian warrant to face outstanding charges for allegedly smuggling 500 pounds of marijuana . After less than a day in the hospital , he persuaded a security guard to unshackle his legs so he could take a shower , the U.S . Marshals said in a statement . `` The security guard walked to the nurse 's station , and when he returned , MacDonald was gone , '' the statement said . People in Pennsylvania and West Virginia knew MacDonald by a different name -- Jack Hunter , CNN affiliate WTOV reported . U.S . Marshals allege that MacDonald and his wife changed their names and moved to southwest Pennsylvania after he escaped from custody . He owned a store in nearby West Virginia , `` 19th Hole Used Appliances , '' WTOV said . `` It 's really surprising that someone can live in your neighborhood for that long undetected , '' resident Jim Lyle told WTOV . Investigators in Pennsylvania learned that MacDonald and his wife were living in a Florida mobile home they had purchased in 2009 . Authorities there arrested him outside the home Tuesday . `` I have been looking over my shoulder all these years . I wondered when this day would come , '' MacDonald reportedly told investigators , the U.S . Marshals said . According to the U.S . Marshals , Canadian authorities said their arrest warrant for importation of marijuana was still active , and MacDonald could still face charges in Canada .
Inspector : `` He just let out a big sigh and said , 'Yeah , you 're right -- you got me ' '' U.S . Marshals allege that Ian Jackson MacDonald faked a heart attack to escape . A 1980 Canadian arrest warrant charges him with smuggling marijuana . U.S . Marshals say the 71-year-old changed his name and hid for 30 years .