Category: Legal Issues

Auto Added by WPeMatico

Posted on

Task Force Looking for Fugitive Wanted in Toledo and New York

Source: US Marshals Service

Toledo, OH – The United States Marshals Service (USMS) and the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) is asking for the public’s assistance in the location of 58-year-old Wilfredo Rentas of Toledo, Ohio.

Rentas is wanted by the New York Parole Board for parole violations, with an underlying offense of burglary. He is also wanted by the Toledo, Ohio Police Department for two separate counts of burglary. Rentas is last known to reside in the 600 block of Cadillac Court in Toledo.

Rentas is a white male 5’8 145 lbs. He is believed to still be in the Toledo area. He has a tattoo on his left forearm with “Eula” on it. Rentas also uses the nickname of “Slick Willie”.

Anyone with information concerning a wanted fugitive can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833), Toledo Crime Stoppers, or you can submit a web tip. Reward money is available, and tipsters may remain anonymous.  Follow the U.S. Marshals on Twitter @USMSCleveland.  

The NOVFTF Toledo Division consists of the following federal, state and local agencies:  the United States Marshals Service, Lucas County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Toledo Police Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Wood County Sheriff’s Office.  

Posted on

NH Man Arrested by U.S. Marshals on Texas Child Porn Charges

Source: US Marshals Service

Concord, NH – The U.S. Marshals Service – New Hampshire Joint Fugitive Task Force (NHJFTF) safely apprehended a Texas fugitive earlier today on West Street in Keene, NH. A Montgomery County, Texas court issued five arrest warrants on October 23 for Scott R. Powell, 50, of Keene. Powell is accused of multiple counts of Promoting Child Pornography (second degree felonies) according to an investigation by authorities in Texas.

Information developed by the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Southern District of Texas – Houston Office, was shared with the NHJFTF. After receiving invaluable input from the Keene Police Department, the USMS Task Force was able to quickly locate and apprehended Powell without incident. Powell has been charged as a “Fugitive from Justice” in Keene District Court, where an earlier hearing resulted in his detention on a $100,000 bond. Powell will be housed at the Cheshire County Department of Corrections while awaiting further bond hearings and extradition by the Texas authorities looking to charge him.

“We are proud to assist our law enforcement partners in Texas and beyond with apprehending fugitives who may believe they are safely hiding in New Hampshire,” stated NHJFTF Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal William Tufts. “The U.S. Marshals Service takes particular pride and fulfillment in executing our mission to keep children and the vulnerable safe from predators.”

Since the inception of the U.S. Marshals – New Hampshire Joint Fugitive Task Force in 2002, it has been part of, and empowered by, the community we serve. Its commitment to enhance the protection of the public through partnerships with local and state jurisdictions has resulted in thousands of arrests. These arrests have ranged in seriousness from murder, assault, unregistered sex offenders, probation and parole violations and numerous other serious offenses. Nationally the United States Marshals Service fugitive programs are carried out with local law enforcement in 94 district offices, 85 local fugitive task forces, 8 regional task forces, as well as a growing network of offices in foreign countries.

Posted on

U.S. Citizen Arrested for Traveling to Haiti with Intent to Sexually Abuse Minors

Source: United States Department of Justice

A U.S. citizen made his initial appearance in Colorado last week to face a charge for traveling to Haiti with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a person under the age of 18.

According to court documents and information disclosed in open court, between 2006 and 2010, Michael Geilenfeld, 71, originally of Iowa, is alleged to have traveled from Miami International Airport to Haiti multiple times to engage in sexual acts with minors. While in Haiti, Geilenfeld operated the St. Joseph’s Home for Boys, a residence which served economically disadvantaged children in and around the capital city of Port-au-Prince. Multiple individuals who lived at the St. Joseph’s Home for Boys reported that Geilenfeld sexually abused them when they were under the age of 18.

Geilenfeld was arrested on Jan. 20 in Colorado. He is charged with one count of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison.

Geilenfeld’s detention hearing is scheduled to resume on Feb. 1.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami, and Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI Miami Field Office made the announcement.

HSI and the FBI are investigating the case.

Trial Attorneys Jessica Urban and Eduardo Palomo of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lacee Monk for the Southern District of Florida are prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Anyone with related information or who may have been a victim or witness should contact HSI at 877-4-HSI TIP (877-447-4847).

Photo of Geilenfeld in 2024. 

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Posted on

Washington State Couple on U.S. Marshals 15 Most Wanted Arrested in Mexico and Extradited to the United States

Source: US Marshals Service

Washington – On November 7, 2023, Deputies representing the Eastern District of Washington successfully completed their extradition mission of the first fugitive couple on the U.S. Marshals 15 Most Wanted list.

The fugitives, Edgar Salvador Casian-Garcia, 35, and his girlfriend, Araceli Medina, 39, were elevated to the U.S. Marshals 15 Most Wanted list on February 15, 2023. The fugitive couple was previously charged in Franklin County, Washington, with Aggravated Murder of a child, Rape in the First Degree of another child, and three counts of Assault of a Child in the First Degree.

Thanks to information developed by Eastern District of Washington deputies and the coordinated efforts of foreign and domestic law enforcement agencies – most notably the Pasco Police Department – the couple was arrested in Mexico on March 22, 2023, at the request of the United States.

The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked to secure the arrest and extradition from Mexico of Casian-Garcia and Medina. Within the past few months, Eastern District of Washington Deputies coordinated with the international law enforcement community to apprehend Medina and Casian-Garcia to answer for their charges. The Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is handling the prosecution.  

Anyone with information on wanted fugitives is urged to contact the nearest U.S. Marshals office, the U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102, or submit a web tip.

Posted on

U.S. Marshals Capture Tennessee Woman Wanted for Multiple Crimes Against a Child in Arkansas

Source: US Marshals Service

Savannah, TN – On November 9, 2023, U.S. Marshals captured Natalie Graves, 22, of Tennessee, who was wanted for Internet Stalking of a Child, Possession or Use of Child Sexual Abuse Material, and Sexual Grooming of a Child in Arkansas.

On September 18th, a warrant was issued by the District Court of Craighead County in Jonesboro, Arkansas charging Graves with Internet Stalking of a Child, Possession or Use of Child Sexual Abuse Material, and Sexual Grooming of a Child. Arkansas detectives requested assistance from the U.S. Marshals Eastern Arkansas Fugitive Task Force in finding and apprehending Graves. Marshals determined that Graves was in West Tennessee and contacted the U.S. Marshals Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force in Jackson.

On the morning of November 9th, the U.S. Marshals Two Rivers Task Force went to a residence in the 100 block of Ashwood Road in Savannah and took Graves into custody. She will be held in the Hardin County Jail as she awaits extradition to Arkansas.

The U.S. Marshals Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force (TRVFTF) is a multi-agency task force within Western Tennessee. The TRVFTF has offices in Memphis and Jackson, and its membership is primarily composed of Deputy U.S. Marshals, Shelby, Fayette, and Tipton County Sheriff’s Deputies, Memphis and Jackson Police Officers, and the Tennessee Department of Correction Special Agents. The primary mission of the Task Force is to arrest violent offenders and sexual predators.

Posted on

U.S. Marshals in Baton Rouge Conduct Operation Targeting Domestic Violent Offenders

Source: US Marshals Service

Baton Rouge, LA – As October is designated as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the U.S. Marshals Middle Louisiana Fugitive Task Force (MLFTF) conducted an operation targeting domestic violence warrants throughout the 9 parishes within the district: Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana. From October 2, 2023 to November 6, 2023, the MLFTF executed over 50 warrants. Items seized during the operation included: 10 pistols, 3 rifles, 2 Glock “switches”, and approximately 2 pounds of narcotics. In addition, 7 homicide warrants were closed.

The Middle Louisiana Fugitive Task Force would like to thank the Baton Rouge Police Department and the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office SWAT Teams, whose members were activated for 3 of these apprehensions. 

The MLFTF consists of personnel from the U.S. Marshals, Baton Rouge Police Department, East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana Probation and Parole,  Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Posted on

U.S. Marshals Arrest Second Suspect in Connection With Shooting Death of Akron Man

Source: US Marshals Service

Canton, OH – Today, members of the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) arrested Julian Sistrunk, 19. Sistrunk was wanted by the Akron Police Department for aggravated murder.

Sistrunk was wanted for the shooting death of Trieg Schwab, 26, in an incident that occurred October 2. According to Akron Police, officers responded to the 1100 block of Chandler Avenue for shots fired. When officers arrived on scene, they located Schwab with apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on scene.

On October 27, members of the U.S. Marshals fugitive task force arrested Robert Greenlee, 18, at an address near the 400 block of Hardman Drive in connection to this homicide. Sistrunk was later identified as a suspect and a warrant for his arrest was issued. This morning, members of the Akron Division of the NOVFTF arrested Julian Sistrunk at an address near the 800 block of Highland Road, Canton, OH.

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “The U.S. Marshals Service has a strong partnership with the Akron Police Department.  Together we are making the city of Akron a safer place by taking violent fugitives such as these homicide suspects off the streets, and we will continue to work together to make these arrests in the future.”  

Anyone with information concerning any wanted fugitive can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833), or you can submit a web tip. Reward money is available and tipsters may remain anonymous.  Follow the U.S. Marshals on Twitter @USMSCleveland.

The NOVFTF Akron Division consists of the following federal, state and local agencies:  The United States Marshals Service, Akron Police Department, Barberton Police Department, Bath Township Police Department, Copley Township Police Department, Cuyahoga Falls Police Department, Fairlawn Police Department, Hudson Police Department, Kent Police Department, New Franklin Police Department, Norton Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Portage County Sheriff’s Office, Reminderville Police Department, Tallmadge Police Department, United States Secret Service, University of Akron Police Department, Wayne County Court of Common Pleas.

Posted on

U.S. Marshals Seek Public’s Help in Locating Missing Mother and Baby

Source: US Marshals Service

UPDATE: Missing Teen Mother and Son Found Safe

Memphis, TN – Law enforcement is requesting the public’s help in attempting to locate a missing teen mother and her infant son. The U.S. Marshals, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations and the Memphis Police are trying to locate 15-year-old Zauntaria Mosley and her two-month-old son Andre Mosley. Both were reported missing on September 26th, 2023. They are believed to be somewhere in the Doris-Greenwood neighborhood of South Memphis.

During the investigation it was learned that Andre had suffered a serious injury earlier in September and is not receiving follow-up medical care. At this time foul play is not suspected, but officers are concerned for the safety of both Zauntaria and Andre.

Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call the U.S. Marshals at 1-479-259-5514. Callers are kept anonymous.

“We want Zauntaria to know that she is not in trouble. We are just trying to ensure that she and her baby are safe. Zauntaria, if you see this, we encourage you to call your case worker or the tip line yourself so that so that you and your baby can get the care you need,” said U.S. Marshal Tyreece Miller

The U.S. Marshals Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force (TRVFTF) is a multi-agency task force within Western Tennessee. The TRVFTF has offices in Memphis and Jackson, and its membership is primarily composed of Deputy U.S. Marshals, Shelby, Fayette, and Tipton County Sheriff’s Deputies, Memphis and Jackson Police Officers, and the Tennessee Department of Correction Special Agents. The primary mission of the Task Force is to arrest violent offenders and sexual predators.

Posted on

2nd Morgan State Shooter Arrested in DC

Source: US Marshals Service

WASHINGTON – On November 17, 2023, members of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s Sixth District Crime Suppression Team arrested the second man wanted in the Oct. 3 shooting incident at Morgan State University. 

Jovon Terrell Williams, aka “Chewy,” 18, and Keion Brown, 20, were both taken into custody pursuant to a D.C. District Court Indictment. 

At the time of arrest, Brown, Williams, and a 16-year-old juvenile male from Maryland were charged with firearms-related charges and other D.C. Code violations. 

Williams was charged on Oct. 11 by the District Court of Maryland for Baltimore City with attempted first-degree murder and other charges stemming from the shooting incident that took place during homecoming celebration events at Morgan State University.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued an arrest warrant June 15 charging Williams in a guns and drug conspiracy case.  This case was being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the USMS and the Internal Revenue Service.  On July 14, the Drug Enforcement Administration referred apprehension authority to the U.S. Marshals Service.

“I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the work done by the Metropolitan Police Department and our other law enforcement partners,” said Mathew Silverman, U.S. Marshal for the District of Maryland. “These officers developed investigative leads and took swift action that empowered law enforcement to take a notoriously violent fugitive off the street.”

“We are grateful for the courageous members of D.C. Metropolitan Police Department who brought this individual into custody and the assistance provided by the U.S. Marshals and Baltimore Police Department. The community is undoubtedly safer now that he is off the street,” said ATF Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby. “ATF will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners to identify, investigate, and incarcerate trigger-pullers who commit violent crimes in Baltimore. It doesn’t matter if they live in the city or not—the partnerships local, state, and federal law enforcement have in this region ensure that they will be found and held accountable.”

Mayor Brandon M. Scott, Baltimore City, added: “The Morgan State community has been forced to grapple with the violent, reckless decision of a few individuals who had no regard for the lives around them. I want to thank the U.S. Marshals, BPD, and Morgan State Police for diligently working this case until these suspects were apprehended. I hope that this will be a sign to everyone that if you come into Baltimore City, endanger lives, and injure people, we will not rest until you are held accountable.”

Davd K. Wilson, President of Morgan State University also stated, “Today, the Morgan Community can continue to move forward with the comfort of knowing that both shooting suspects have now been captured and taken off the streets. We thank the Baltimore Police Department, Morgan State University Police, and all of the other law enforcement agencies for their collaboration and diligent effort to bring these individuals to justice. Additionally, we extend our gratitude to Mayor Brandon Scott, Governor Wes Moore, and other elected officials for their ongoing support throughout this ordeal. This is indeed great news.”

“I want to recognize all of our law enforcement partners and the efforts of the Baltimore Police Department for their ongoing collaboration in apprehending Williams,” said Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley. “His arrest means that he is no longer able to terrorize our communities. Our Department is committed to working alongside all of our communities and partners in identifying and apprehending those responsible for crime in our neighborhoods.” 

All suspects should be considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

Posted on

U.S. Marshals in Connecticut Capture Two Fugitive Sex Offenders

Source: US Marshals Service

New Haven, CT – The U.S. Marshals Connecticut Violent Offenders Task Force, working with the Fairfield and Bridgeport police, recently located and arrested two fugitive sex offenders wanted on multiple warrants.

Douglas Baran, 28, of Fairfield was wanted on five separate warrants from the Newcastle and Newark police departments in Delaware, charging him with stalking, sexual harassment, attempt to induce sexual contact, and indecent exposure.

Police in Delaware obtained arrest warrants for Baran after victims contacted them to report numerous unsolicited contacts by Baran between 2022 and 2023. His apprehension was delegated to the U.S. Marshals Service.

Early today, assisted by Fairfield police, the U.S. Marshals arrested Baran around Sunnyridge Avenue. He was transported to the Fairfield Police Department and is awaiting extradition back to Delaware.

Guadalupe Martinez, 70, was wanted on first-degree sexual assault, two counts of third-degree sexual assault, fourth-degree sexual assault, first-degree sexual assault of a minor, and four counts of risk of injury to a child.

Bridgeport Police obtained an arrest warrant for Martinez following an investigation of the sexual assault of a minor in January 2023. The Bridgeport Police requested assistance from the Connecticut U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force to locate and apprehend him.

On Nov. 11, the USMS fugitive task force, working with the Bridgeport police, apprehended Martinez around Maplewood Avenue in Bridgeport. He was transported to the Bridgeport Police Department for booking.

Since the inception of the U.S. Marshals – Connecticut Violent Fugitive Task Force in 1999, these partnerships have resulted in over 11,046 arrests (Updated as of 9/08/2022). The task force’s objective is to seek out and arrest violent fugitives and sexual predators. Membership agencies include Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, Norwalk, Waterbury Police Departments and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. These arrests have ranged in seriousness from murder, assault, unregistered sex offenders, probation and parole violations and numerous other serious offenses. Nationally the U.S. Marshals Service fugitive programs are carried out with local law enforcement in 94 district offices, 85 local fugitive task forces, eight regional task forces, as well as a growing network of offices in foreign countries