Category: US Marshals Service

Source: US Marshals Service

Scranton, PA – The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Middle District of Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Malachi Allah Darden, 20. 

On May 17, 2024, a warrant for Homicide and related charges was issued by the Scranton Police Department for Darden’s role in the shooting of a man on the 1800 block of Jackson Street in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

The U.S. Marshals Service is offering up to a $2,500 reward for information leading to Darden’s arrest.

Darden stands 5 feet 11 inches and weighs approximately 160 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. He is known to frequent the Bronx, New York. He is also associated with addresses in Northeastern Pennsylvania, specifically Lackawanna and Luzerne counties.

Tips can be called in to the USMS tip line at 1-877-WANTED2 (926-8332) or by using the USMS Tips App.

The USMS Middle Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force comprises 22 state, county, and local police agencies, including the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, the Wilkes-Barre Police Department, the Kingston Police Department, the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office, Carbon County Sheriff’s Office and the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office.

Source: US Marshals Service

Washington, DC – Deputies from the District Court for the District of Columbia arrested a woman wanted for assault on a federal official following an incident May 8.

Emily Sommer, 32, is alleged to have spat on Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Edward R. Martin Jr. as he was conducting an interview outside of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington.

Deputies and analysts with the U.S. Marshals identified Sommer being involved in this incident and a warrant was issued for her arrest. 

On May 22, members of the U.S. Marshals Judicial Security Unit and Warrant Squad arrested Sommer at a residence in Southwest Washington.

Acting U.S. Marshal Ronald Carter stated, “The U.S. Marshals Service takes the security of our protected persons and all members of the court family extremely seriously. Any individual who threatens or compromises that security will be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

The U.S. Marshals Service is responsible for investigating threats against the federal judiciary, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and Main Department of Justice.

Source: US Marshals Service

Corpus Christi, TX – On May 16, 2025, the Cold Case Unit of the U.S. Marshals Service, Gulf Coast Violent Offenders and Fugitive Task Force – Corpus Christi Division and the Florida/Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force (FCRFTF) joined to arrest Olga Escamilla for Failure to Appear on a Money Laundering charge originating in Kenedy County, Texas.

On September 19, 2012, Escamilla was indicted for Money Laundering, involving a sum between $20,000 and $100,000, by a Grand Jury in Kleberg County, Texas. While on bond, Escamilla fled to Mexico.

On June 19, 2015, the 105th Judicial District Court for Kenedy County, Texas issued a fully extraditable arrest warrant for Failure to Appear, involving the Money Laundering charge.

Utilizing various investigative methods, along with working with multiple law enforcement partners, the Cold Case Unit was able to determine Escamilla’s location. Investigators collaborated with senior inspectors assigned to the FCRFTF, who arrested Escamilla in Florida.

The Cold Case Unit was formed to devote specialized investigative efforts to capturing fugitives who have been on the run for several years. The United States Marshals Service is committed to expediently investigating the locations of, and ultimately apprehending, fugitives regardless of how many years they have been on the run.

The U.S. Marshals led Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force with base in Corpus Christi, Texas, is integrated by remarkable agents from Texas Department of Public Safety, Nueces County Sheriff’s Office, Aransas County Sheriff, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Corpus Christi Police Department, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Kleberg County Attorney Office and other partner federal agencies that work together for the protection of our communities.

Source: US Marshals Service

The United States Marshals Service (USMS) has a long history of families standing up to serve. While the bond formed by the Agency’s Deputy United States Marshals (DUSM) creates family units, there are also blood connections running throughout the service as well.

The most recent Basic Deputy United States Marshal Integrated (BDUSMI) graduating class made those connections stronger with multiple new DUSMs extending the legacy of their individual families when they graduated April 17, 2025.

Forty-six DUSMs graduated from the grueling 18-week course and received the badge they’d earned after months of work. As part of the graduation ceremony, new DUSMs receive the USMS badge just as all the DUSMs who graduated before them. It is a longstanding tradition that current and retired DUSMs who have close relatives graduating as DUSMs be allowed to present the new DUSM with their credentials.  

For DUSM Trey Heffner, it was the ultimate honor to have his father, United States Marshal (USM) Brendan Heffner, USM of the Central District of Illinois, present him the badge.

“I have been able to be there for all of my father’s endless accomplishments, so for him to be there for my greatest and be able to hand me my badge meant the absolute world,” DUSM Heffner said. “The moment left me speechless because of the deep personal connection to the legacy I was stepping into. I would not have gotten to where I am today without my father and family continuing to support and love through this long journey.”

USM Heffner has served 37 years in law enforcement, including 7 years as the USM for the Central District of Illinois. He said the ability to present the badge to his son, who chose this career field for himself, was so special. He offered some words of advice to his son.

“I advised Trey that this isn’t an easy job and that he will see and experience some terrible things. However, he will also see many good things,” USM Heffner said. “There’s nothing more satisfying than keeping our citizens safe and knowing that everyone can’t do this job. I also told him to perform his job with integrity as that’s vital for him and law enforcement in general.”

USM Heffner also mentioned how special USMS ceremonies are and how proud he was for their family to continue service with the Agency. 

Another family with a long history of service, retired DUSM Greg Hite, District of North Dakota, proudly served for more than 25 years and also presented his son, DUSM George Hite, the badge at the recent graduation. 

“Being able to present George with his badge at graduation was one of the proudest moments of my life,” Hite Sr. said. “Thinking of him continuing on with his service to our country makes me so proud.”

DUSM Hite, who is now assigned to the Northern District of Iowa, continues a long line of law enforcement service as the third generation in his family to serve and is proud to become a deputy with the USMS. 

“Being able to be a part of this historic agency is something state and local LEO’s dream of, and I can finally say I am a part of it,” DUSM Hite said. “What this means to me is, I am now representing the USMS every time I put my badge on. I have pride in doing so and am ready to accept the responsibilities that come with the badge.”

DUSM Jadniel Pimentel, District of New Jersey, joined the USMS in 2018 and had the privilege of presenting America’s star to his brother, DUSM Noel Pimentel, at the graduation. 

“It felt great presenting the badge to my brother because I know he earned it. He now knows that this badge is earned and not given,” DUSM Jadniel said. “Seeing him graduate brought back memories from my academy and how hard every DUSM works to earn America’s Star and carry the tradition.” 

Both brothers are honored to serve and appreciate the way they were able to incorporate their family ties into the ceremony. Noel, who will serve in the District of New Jersey, had a long journey and overcame challenges to get to the finish line. 

“It felt great graduating the BDUSMI Academy. I have attended numerous law enforcement academies in the past, and this one was by far the most challenging, mentally, and physically,” Noel said. “The badge means a lot to me and it’s difficult to put into words.” 

While this story highlights the unique stories within the USMS family, each and every DUSM who has earned their badge forges their own new story within the Agency, serving the people of the United States with justice, integrity, and service.

Source: US Marshals Service

Painesville, OH – United States Marshal Pete Elliott and Lake County Sheriff Frank Leonbruno announce the successful completion of Operation Washout in Lake County.  

Operation Washout was a six weeklong operation focused in Lake County in an attempt to bring down drug related violence and overdose incidences throughout the county.

Investigative and enforcement resources from the United States Marshals Service (USMS) were used to reduce crime by working in collaboration with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners.  The operation targeted violent felony warrants, to include offenses that have an illegal narcotic distribution or possession nexus. The operation also targeted individuals wanted for crimes related to narcotic trafficking such as homicide, robbery, sex offenses, felonious assault and firearm violations.

Sheriff Frank Leonbruno stated, “Operation Washout was a tremendous success and made a significant impact in finding some our most wanted persons throughout Lake County.  The cooperation we have working with the United States Marshal Service helps to ensure we are able to meet the safety and security needs of our citizens to help ensure that Lake County is the best place to build a home, create a business, and raise your family.”

During the course of the six weeklong operation, 61 warrants were closed after arrests by the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF), its partner agencies or other law enforcement agencies in the area.  Six known gang members were arrested during the operation and one firearm was recovered. 

Notable arrests during the operation include Tyrese Johnson and Brianna Johnson, both wanted by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for manslaughter, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, tampering with evidence, corrupting another with drugs, and drug trafficking. This investigation began with the Mentor Police Department after two overdose deaths that occurred in April of 2024. Tyrese Johnson was arrested on April 9th, at his residence in the 600 block of River Street, Grand River. Brianna Johnson was arrested on that same date at her residence in the 1400 block of East 175th Street, Cleveland.

Additionally, Cortez Hopper who was wanted by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for illegal manufacture of drugs was also arrested during the operation. Fugitive investigation led the NOVFTF to believe that Hopper was in Steubenville, OH. In addition to the charges in Lake County, Hopper was a suspect in an investigation where he was distributing cocaine in Steubenville. Members of the local police department were unable to identify Hopper until information was sent to their area in connection with the fugitive investigation. Hopper was arrested on April 4 with assistance of the Northern District of West Virginia, Wheeling. 

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “Outstanding and longstanding partnerships are what make operations such as this so successful.  When agencies work towards the same goals, success like this is inevitable.  The Lake County Sheriff’s Office, local police departments, and the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force are all committed to the safety of the communities we serve.”

Anyone with information concerning a 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 X @USMSCleveland.

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force –  Painesville Division is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies:  U.S. Marshals Service, Eastlake Police Department, Willowick Police Department, Willoughby Police Department, Willoughby Hills Police Department, Wickliffe Police Department, Mentor Police Department, Mentor-on-the-lake Police Department, Painesville Police Department, Lake County Sheriff’s Department, Geauga County Sheriff’s Department, Ashtabula Police Department, Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Middlefield Police Department, Lake County Narcotics, Chester Township Police Department, Kirtland Police Department, and Madison Village Police Department.

Source: US Marshals Service

Henderson County, TN – On May 19, 2025, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) arrested Dawson Maness for Felony Reckless Endangerment against a law enforcement officer.

On May 16, 2025, a State Trooper with the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) met a white Chevrolet truck traveling left of center of the roadway in Henderson County, TN. The Trooper was forced to run off the road to avoid a collision with the truck. When the Trooper activated his emergency equipment, the truck fled the scene in a reckless manner, endangering the lives of others. An investigation by the THP determined that Dawson Maness was the driver.

The USMS Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force in Jackson was asked to assist in finding and apprehending Maness. This morning, deputy marshals and task force officers went to Maness’ residence on Bargerton Road in Lexington, TN and took him into custody.

This was not the task force’s first encounter with Maness. He was released from jail on bond for a December 2024, incident where he is alleged to have shot and struck a FedEx delivery truck during a road rage incident in Jackson, TN. The Jackson Police Department charged him with Attempted First-Degree Murder and Felony Reckless Endangerment. The USMS subsequently arrested him at his home on January 22, 2025, for those charges.

The U.S. Marshals Service Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force 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, Tipton, and Gibson County Sheriff’s Deputies, Memphis and Jackson Police Officers, Tennessee Department of Correction Special Agents and the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Since 2021, the TRVFTF has captured over 3,000 violent offenders and sexual predators.

Source: US Marshals Service

Charleston, WV — A U.S. Marshals Southern District of West Virginia CUFFED (Cops United Felony Fugitive Enforcement Division) Task Force two-week warrant operation has resulted in 40 felony arrests.

During Operation Shake Down, conducted from May 5 -16, law enforcement officers also recovered 40 grams of methamphetamine, 1 oz of fentanyl, and five firearms.

The wanted subjects had a wide range of felony warrants to include kidnapping, sexual assault, soliciting a minor via computer, possession with intent to deliver and distribute controlled substances, armed robbery, weapons offenses, child neglect causing risk of injury, burglary, and failure to register as a sex offender.

Significant arrests include:

Christopher Spaulding, 53, of Ripley, wanted out of Jackson County for possession with intent to deliver controlled substances and felon in possession of a firearm. Spaulding was also wanted in the Southern District of West Virginia on a federal supervised release violation. Spaulding’s underlying federal conviction is felon in possession of firearms.

Kirk Donovan Thomas, 36, of Charleston, wanted for failure to register as a sex offender, has been evading apprehension since 2023 from the West Virginia State Police. Thomas was also wanted on a circuit court capias warrant out of Putnam County. Since Thomas’s arrest, the West Virginia State Police has charged Thomas with additional counts of failure to register as a sex offender in Kanawha County.

Dwayne Edward White Jr., 27, of Ripley, wanted in Jackson County for delivery of methamphetamine. White has self-proclaimed gang affiliations. 

David Argueta-Marquez, 29, of Lyburn, wanted out of Harris County, Texas, for aggravated kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault of a child. Argueta-Marquez was arrested in Kimper, Kentucky, by U.S. Marshals task force members. Argueta-Marquez is also under investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s and is an alleged member of the 18th Street Gang in El Salvador.

Two individuals were also federally indicted from U.S. Marshals Service investigations. 

Ronald Tinsley, 52, of Charleston, was indicted by a federal grand jury for escape. Tinsley is alleged to have escaped from Bureau of Prisons custody March 19. 

Charles Clement, 42, of Hillsboro, was indicted by a federal grand jury for violations of the Adam Walsh Act. Clement, a sex offender, is alleged to having failed to register as a sex offender after moving to the state of West Virginia and establishing residency. 

Both men are currently incarcerated.   

“I would like to thank our partner agencies across Southern West Virginia for dedicating officers to the CUFFED Task Force,” said Michael T. Baylous, U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of West Virginia.  “Their commitment and dedication have allowed the CUFFED Task Force to become one of the most efficient and effective in the country at apprehending fugitives.”   

U.S. Marshals task forces combine the efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate and arrest the most dangerous fugitives. They also serve as the central point for agencies to share information on fugitive matters. Task force officers are state and local police officers who receive special deputations with the Marshals. While on a task force, these officers can exercise U.S. Marshals authorities, such as crossing jurisdictional lines.

Agencies involved in operation included:

U.S. Marshals CUFFED Task Force
U.S. Marshals Central Kentucky Fugitive Task Force
West Virginia State Police
Kentucky State Police
Fayette County Sheriff’s Office
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office
Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office
Logan County Sheriff’s Office
Mason County Sheriff’s Office
Mingo County Sheriff’s Office
Putnam County Sheriff’s Office
Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office
Parkersburg Police Department
Saint Albans Police Department
South Charleston Police Department 

Source: US Marshals Service

Denver, CO – The U.S. Marshals Service Colorado Violent Offender Task Force located and arrested a Lakewood homicide suspect Wednesday night in Colorado Springs. 

Philix Baca, 20, is wanted by the Lakewood Police Department (LPD) on a felony arrest warrant for first-degree murder in connection to the April 13, 2024 shooting death of a 14-year-old male in Lakewood. A warrant for Baca’s arrest was issued on April 15, 2024. In the days following the homicide, multiple co-defendants were apprehended, but Baca fled and had been on the run since.

On Wednesday, Task Force Officers (TFOs) from LPD’s Special Enforcement Team (SET) who are assigned to the U.S. Marshals Service’s Colorado Violent Offender Task Force (COVOTF) in Denver developed information indicating Baca may be in the Colorado Springs area. The LPD TFOs joined Deputy U.S. Marshals in Colorado Springs as well as other COVOTF TFOs from the Fountain Police Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to set up a surveillance operation. While conducting surveillance, a person matching Baca’s description was observed exiting a vehicle and going inside a residence in the 5000 block of Whimsical Drive in Colorado Springs. COVOTF investigators then obtained a search warrant for the residence.

Due to the violent nature of the case and the potential of the suspect being armed, COVOTF investigators requested assistance from the Colorado Springs Police Department’s Tactical Enforcement Unit (TEU) in contacting the residence. CSPD TEU executed the search warrant at the residence and Baca was safely taken into custody. 

Baca was transported to the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center where he was booked on the outstanding homicide warrant.

The success of this arrest represents a culmination of extensive cooperative investigative efforts between the Lakewood Police Department, U.S. Marshals Colorado Violent Offender Task Force, Colorado Springs Police Department, Fountain Police Department, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 

The Colorado Violent Offender Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional fugitive task force that targets the most violent offenders to include those wanted for murder, assault, sex offenses, and other serious offenses throughout the state and country.  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.         

Tips can be submitted to the U.S. Marshals Service directly and anonymously by downloading the USMS Tips app to your Apple or Android device. You can also follow the latest news and updates about the U.S. Marshals Service on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter); @USMarshalsHQ or @USMSDenver.

Source: US Marshals Service

Milwaukee, WI – The 128th Air Refueling Wing partnered with the U.S. Marshals Service and the Milwaukee Police Department to conduct a two-day combined training event, April 16–17, 2025, on base at General Mitchell Air National Guard Base.

The joint training brought together 128 ARW Security Forces personnel and local law enforcement agencies for a series of advanced tactical exercises designed to strengthen interagency coordination, improve tactical response, and enhance mission readiness across all organizations involved. The event was led by instructors from the U.S. Marshals Service and featured realistic, hands-on training scenarios.

Training events kicked off inside one of the Wing’s aircraft hangars with vehicle operations, where teams practiced high-risk vehicle approaches, tactical maneuvers, and suspect extraction techniques in confined spaces. The realistic environment allowed both military and civilian law enforcement personnel to work side by side, learning and refining techniques for use in operational settings.

The second portion of the training focused on vehicle ballistics using paint rounds. This exercise provided participants with a safe but realistic simulation of weapons engagement around vehicles, emphasizing the effectiveness of cover, angles of fire, and decision-making under pressure.

The final segment took place in an open-air environment and included instruction on coordinated movement, suspect pursuit and apprehension, and communication strategies between agencies. The training highlighted the importance of interoperability and real-time decision-making in complex, evolving situations.

“Joint training events like this one with the Wisconsin Air National Guard allows our agency to utilize additional training venues and strengthen inter-agency relationships that enhance community law enforcement initiatives,” said Anna Ruzinski, U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. “We are very grateful to the WI ANG for their support in providing an excellent training location and the opportunity to collaborate with their security forces personnel, as well as for support from the city of Cudahy Emergency Medical Services in conducting a realistic medical response scenario.”

Source: US Marshals Service

Austin, TX – Members of the U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force continued their work of removing violent criminals from the greater Austin area by apprehending seven murder suspects in a 10-day time span from May 6-15.

The Austin Police Department Homicide Unit requested assistance from the LSFTF to locate and apprehend six suspects sought on charges of murder and capital murder.

A juvenile suspect sought for capital murder was arrested May 6 in the 2500 block of South Congress Avenue for a homicide that occurred March 9 in the 2300 block of Douglas Street. 

Jalen Hemphill, aka, “Jay”, 21, of Jarrell was arrested May 7 in the 10400 block of Burnet Road in Austin. Hemphill was wanted on a murder charge stemming from an October 2023 shooting in the 1700 block of Burnet Road.

Two juvenile suspects wanted on capital murder charges stemming from a homicide May 3 in the 5400 block of Ross Road in Austin were arrested May 8 in the 100 block of Chihuahua Drive in Del Valle. 

Kent Outten, aka “K.O.,” 31, of Austin was arrested May 13 in the 6000 block of E. 7th Street following a foot-pursuit. Outten was wanted on a murder charge stemming from a March 31 shooting incident in the 400 block of North Interstate Highway 35 Northbound Service Road.

Darius Sebastain Hatcher, 26, of Manor was arrested May 14 in the 2000 block of South Interstate Highway 35 Frontage Road in Round Rock. Hatcher was charged with capital murder of multiple persons following the shooting deaths April 20 of two men outside an apartment complex in the 2600 block of Aldrich Street.

The Williamson County Sheriffs Office requested assistance from the LSFTF to apprehend Bradley Stone Puckett, 20, of Georgetown. Puckett was a suspect in a homicide that occurred April 25 in the 20100 block of McShepherd Road in Georgetown. LSFTF arrested Puckett May 15 in the 1100 block of West Dittmar Road.  

The LSFTF’s apprehension of these violent fugitives was conducted with vital assistance from the Austin Police Department’s Air Support and K-9 Divisions and continued support from all members of the LSFTF combined intelligence. 

All suspects have been transported and booked into Travis County and Williamson County jails where they await their judicial proceedings.

Members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force in Austin: 

Austin Police Department-Tactical Intelligence Unit
Georgetown, Round Rock, and San Marcos Police Departments
Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson County Sheriff’s Offices
Texas Attorney General’s Office
Texas Department of Criminal Justice OIG
Texas Department of Public Safety
U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement
U.S. DHS/Homeland Security Investigations