Editor's note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported that Macher owns a used furniture business in downtown Roanoke. Macher only owns the building that houses this business.

Roland "Spanky" Macher, who four months ago said he quit a career as a Roanoke tow truck operator, was arrested this morning on federal bankruptcy fraud and tax evasion charges.

Macher, nabbed outside a building he owns on Campbell Avenue Southwest, appeared in U.S. District Court in Roanoke today in shorts, a short-sleeved shirt and leg irons as Magistrate Judge Michael Urbanski read the charges: four counts of bankruptcy fraud and one count of tax evasion.

The government alleges Macher failed to disclose assets when he filed for bankruptcy, including three properties in Hilton Head, S.C. Macher owed the IRS about $200,000, but didn't pay the debt when he sold the Hilton Head properties, Assistant U.S. Attorney Pat Hogeboom said in court.

Macher's attorney, Paul Dull, of Roanoke, said the indictment is no surprise. Federal authorities told Macher five years ago he was under investigation, Dull said.

Macher won't enter a plea until an arraignment later this week.

Dull said he planned to ask the court to dismiss the charges based on the statute of limitations. Most of the acts alleged in the indictments occurred seven to 10 years ago, he said.

The Hilton Head sale occurred in 2007, thus making the six-year statute of limitations question moot, Hogeboom said after the hearing.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael Urbanski released Macher on a $25,000 unsecured bond. The leg irons were unlocked and Macher walked free.

Urbanski said Macher wouldn't have to submit to substance abuse testing, but would have to have a probation officer's approval before undertaking any major financial transactions until the case is resolved.

Urbankski told Macher he had to "friend" his probation officer on social network websites. Macher said his daughter set up a Facebook page for him, but he didn't know how to use it.

Federal authorities planned to release details of the case at a news conference scheduled for Tuesday, Hogeboom said.

Macher, an ex-restaurateur, towing magnate and landlord, said he was closing Spanky's Towing business in April after he failed to get a state towing license. He became infamous for towing and booting parked cars, then charging high fees before giving them back.

"I feel as though I have been falsely accused and ridiculed by many," Macher said in a letter announcing his retirement from the tow truck business in April. "It is just not worth the public execution that has been afforded to me by you and others."