An elderly man listed as a fugitive for 37 years until he was recently captured in Mexico has pleaded not guilty in South Florida to a federal bail-jumping charge.

Authorities say 81-year-old Robert Anton Woodring failed to surrender in 1977 to begin serving prison sentences for fraud and for a related conviction involving an attempt to flee in his 60-foot yacht so officials couldn't seize it.

Woodring never reported to prison and was charged with bail-jumping in 1984. He pleaded not guilty to that charge Thursday in Miami federal court.

U.S. Marshals apprehended Woodring in Guadalajara, Mexico, last month after receiving a tip he was living there. The marshals were actually seeking another fugitive when they learned of Woodring's whereabouts. Mexican officials determined Woodring had no right to remain there.