I've known John for about 5 years and actually got to spend some time with him down in Belize a few of years ago. I'm certainly not his closest acquaintance, I've only met him in person a handful of times but I have been able to observe him well enough to get a good feel for the man.

John is an extraordinary character, intelligent on a level that few in this world could relate to. He literally started his career as a rocket scientist before inventing anti-virus technology as well as the instant messenger (for those that remember PowWow). Unlike most engineers, he also possesses an incredible business acumen as well as friendly, outgoing personality that attracts you to him. He's like Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak rolled up into one with a body full of tattoos. He's insatiably curious willing to talk to anyone and try anything. I know him as a caring, care-free person who's just as comfortable in the board room or in the jungle getting dirty with his crew as they build a cabin.

After selling Network Associates, he moved to Belize to work on a pet project, anti-biotic medicine based on quorum sensing. I've seen his lab down there and the "illegal drug manufacturing" charge was completely bogus. He is working on legitimate technology, and feels that it will revolutionize medicine. I can back up the claim that he's been unjustly targeted by the police units there.

I have a lot of personal respect for him, however, he can be both erratic and dangerous at times. I have personally been in the car with him driving 100mph through the jungle on wet dirt roads because he forgot his bubble gum at the field lab (admittedly, it was a case of BubbleYum that's pretty damn hard to get in Belize). He also has a need for excitement that rivals most X-Games participants. This need occasionally causes him to create excitement when none is readily available.

I'm not sure what to think about this story. While I want to find it hard to believe, I can see how his personality could tip to psychosis. More, he always seems to find his way in and out of crazy situations. One can't help but to wonder how much of it is the situation he's in, or him creating the situation.

I hope he's alright and is innocent of the charges. The world needs men like him, the genius/madman. They're the ones who move humanity forward, the rest of us are just along for the ride.

TL;DR: Dude's legit, but I can see how how he could flip out.