Category: US Marshals Service

Source: US Marshals Service

Corpus Christi, TX – On September 08, 2024, escaped inmate Jesus Villarreal was taken into custody by a joint operation involving the Office of Inspector General (OIG) and the U.S. Marshals Service Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Fugitive Task Force (GCVOFTF). Villarreal, who was serving a 63-year sentence for multiple counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, had fled from a TDCJ (Texas Department of Criminal Justice) unit in Huntsville, Texas. The GCVOFTF apprehended escapee Villareal in the parking lot of a Walmart in Calallen, Corpus Christi, TX, without incident. Along with Villarreal, Melissa Lozano was arrested for hindering apprehension.

The GCVOFTF quickly responded in Houston, Texas, to assist in Villarreal’s capture after he was believed to be traveling towards the Corpus Christi area and potentially heading to Mexico. Villarreal was identified driving a stolen vehicle, members of the GCVOFTF located the vehicle at the Walmart in Calallen, where he was safely apprehended.  Authorities discovered a replica firearm and $1,507 in U.S. currency in his possession.

This successful joint operation involved the U.S. Marshals Service, The Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Texas Department of Public Safety, Nueces County Sheriff’s Office, Corpus Christi Police Department, Robstown Police Department, and the San Antonio Police Department.

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

Youngstown, OH –  Earlier this morning, members of the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) arrested Brandon T. Kennedy, 31. Kennedy was wanted by the Youngstown Police Department for aggravated vehicular homicide and aggravated vehicular assault.

On November 17, 2023, Kennedy was operating a motor vehicle while driving at a high rate of speed in a residential area of Youngstown, OH. Kennedy failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Juanita Ave and Alameda Ave, striking a car driven by a civilian as it passed through the intersection. A 12-year-old boy who had been a passenger in Kennedy’s vehicle died as a result of the crash.

Yesterday, the Youngstown Police Department issued a warrant for Kennedy and officers with the NOVFTF initiated a fugitive investigation for Kennedy. Within a day of the warrant being issued, Kennedy was arrested at an address in the 20 block of Broadview Ave in Girard, OH.

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “Tragically a 12-year-old was an innocent victim in this horrific incident. The first step in the pursuit of justice for that child occurred today when our task force took this fugitive into custody.”

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 Twitter @USMSCleveland.  

The NOVFTF Youngstown Division consists of the following federal, state and local agencies:  Boardman Township Police Department, Campbell Police Department, Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office, Liberty Township Police Department, Lordstown Village Police Department, Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office, Mercy Health Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Salem Police Department, Trumbull County Adult Probation Department, Warren Police Department, Youngstown Police Department, and United States Marshals Service.

Source: US Marshals Service

Columbus, OH – The U.S. Marshals arrested fugitive Derrick Faison last evening in Madison, Wisconsin.

Derrick Faison was wanted by the Columbus Division of Police for Attempted Murder. Faison was charged with Attempted Murder in Franklin County Municipal Court after an investigation by the Columbus Division of Police Homicide Unit. Faison allegedly stabbed the victim, Paul Carter, on East Broad Street on August 17, 2024. After adopting the fugitive investigation, the Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST) discovered Faison had fled the State of Ohio. Information developed by SOFAST was sent to the U.S. Marshals Task Force in Madison, Wisconsin who safely arrested Faison in the 2000 block of Fish Hatchery Road in Madison, WI.

“The United States Marshals Service has hundreds of fugitive task forces across the country who can assist our local law enforcement partners locate fugitives who flee out of state. Our investigators can quickly coordinate with our teams across the U.S. to bring violent suspects to justice.” – Michael D. Black, United States Marshal.

Columbus SOFAST is a fugitive-focused, U.S. Marshals Service-led task force consisting of local, state and federal authorities including the Columbus Division of Police, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Bexley Police Department, Capital University Police Department, Delaware County Probation Office, Groveport Police Department, Hocking County Sheriff’s Office, Lancaster Police Department, Ohio Attorney General Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Ohio Division of State Fire Marshal, Office of Inspector General Social Security Administration, United States Attorney’s Office, Utica Police Department, Whitehall Police Department, and Zanesville Police Department.

Anyone with information on any fugitive may submit an anonymous web tip.

Source: US Marshals Service

Akron, OH – U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of the U.S. Marshals led ‘Operation Homecoming.’  

Operation Homecoming was focused on the safe recovery of missing children from the Akron and Summit County areas.  The operation was a joint endeavor between the U.S. Marshals Service, the Akron Police Department and the Summit County Sheriff’s Office.  Over the course of three weeks, from August 19 to September 6, members of the Missing Child Unit worked with Akron police and Summit Sheriff’s Deputies to identify missing and endangered children in their area.  During that time law enforcement was able to safely recover and locate 32 missing children.  The children ranged in age from 13-18 years old.

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “Dedicated work by our Missing Child Unit along with Akron Police and the Sheriff’s Office have made an incredible impact in the safe recovery of these children.  The U.S. Marshals Service will continue to dedicate its time and resources to the safe recovery of missing children in our communities throughout northern Ohio.”

“I’m proud of the excellent work of my team and of our partner agencies in this very important operation,” said Sheriff Fatheree. “It is a great example of how collaboration makes us stronger and helps us to better serve and protect our community.”

Some of the missing children were recovered in the Akron area, others in Cleveland, and one child, reported missing by the Akron Police Department in April 2022, was safely located in Washington state.  Akron Police Chief Brian Harding added, “The partnership and devoted work by law enforcement in this operation directly led to the safe recovery of the missing child located across the country.”  

Law enforcement officers worked closely with Summit County Children’s Services to ensure that resources were available to the children that were recovered, especially those who had been missing for a longer period of time.  

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 Twitter @USMSCleveland.  

Source: US Marshals Service

Las Cruces, NM – Two children abducted by their mother in 2023 and taken to Mexico were safely returned to the U.S. yesterday.

“The United States Marshal Service in the District of New Mexico is dedicated to the safety and security of our most valuable resource and best hope for our future, the children of our communities,” said U.S. Marshal for the District of New Mexico David O. Barnett, Jr. “The recovery of these children is an example of the steadfast and relentless dedication demonstrated by our federal, local, and foreign partners.” 

The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) District of New Mexico Southwest Fugitive Team developed information Aug. 27 and passed it along to Mexican authorities, who were able to act on it, resulting in the children’s recovery.

The children’s paternal grandmother, Araceli Martinez, filed a missing person/custodial interference report with the Sunland Park Police Department on Dec. 4, 2023, alleging that the children’s mother, Jennifer Burciaga, had abducted the two little girls. Martinez told law enforcement that on Oct. 11, 2023, Burciaga arrived at her residence and took the two children without her permission, while they were playing outside. At the time of the abduction the children were in the custody of their father. 
On July 29 the Sunland Park Police Department reached out to the U.S. Marshals Service to help locate the two children. 

Mexican authorities Fiscalia General del Estado, acting on information provided by the U.S. Marshals, were able to identify and locate the two children on Aug. 27 at their maternal grandmother’s residence, which has been reported by Mexican authorities as a known human smuggling stash house, in Ciudad Juarez. 

The two girls were repatriated yesterday and turned over to the Children, Youth & Families Department at the Port of Entry in Santa Teresa. 

The U.S. Marshals Service District of New Mexico – Southwest Investigative Fugitive Team for the recovery is composed of officers/agents from the USMS task force, the Sunland Park Police Department, Border Patrol, Department of State, CYFD, Agencia Estatal de Investigaciones de Chihuahua and Desarrollo Integral de la Familia.

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 the USMS Tips App.

Source: US Marshals Service

San Juan, PR – The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Puerto Rico Violent Offenders Task Force, working with the USMS Florida Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force Orlando Division, Sept. 5 arrested a man wanted by the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office in Florida for a premeditated murder stemming from a shooting incident Aug. 24 in Kissimmee, Florida.

Jordany Ramos-Oliveras, 24, was arrested without incident in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico.

Oliveras is suspected of killing Onix Camacho Ramirez, who was shot in the head during a fight with another man, identified as Kevin Ortega, who fled the scene with Ramos-Oliveras.  Ramirez was declared dead at a local hospital Aug. 25. Three other people with gunshot wounds were also treated at local hospitals, but none of their injuries were life threatening.

“This arrest is a great example of the strategic and collaborative efforts of the Puerto Rico and Florida U.S. Marshals task forces working with our partners from the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau,” said Wilmer Ocasio-Ibarra, U.S. Marshal for the District of Puerto Rico. “This arrest was done in record time thanks to a collateral lead from our Florida task force. In the U.S. Marshals Service, we will not stop until we find all those individuals who think they can hide on our island to evade justice. We will not allow terror, violence and impunity to take over our communities. Our commitment to our citizens comes first and we will allocate all necessary resources to make our communities safe.” 

The USMS encourages the public to continue to collaborate with our deputies with tips that help find the whereabouts of a fugitive by contacting our local office at (787) 766-6297, calling the U.S. Marshals Service Communication Center at 1-800-336-0102, or providing information via the U.S. Marshals Service Tips app.

The Florida Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force (FCRFTF) has experience in conducting complex, long- and short-term investigations utilizing all resources made available through partnerships with multiple law enforcement agencies. The task force’s longstanding success in the apprehension and prosecution of violent organized crime/gang members by FCRFTF personnel further enforces the positive relationship with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Puerto Rico Department of Justice Office commitment to combat organized crime gang related violence in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

The mission of the FCRFTF is to locate and apprehend fugitives, with priority given to fugitives wanted for violent crime.  Founded July 1, 2008, the task force is supported by eight federal and 101 state and local agencies and operates within the southern, northern and middle districts of Florida, as well as the District of the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

Source: US Marshals Service

Sandusky, OH – Earlier this afternoon, members of the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) arrested Le’ceeonna White, 21.  White was wanted by the Cleveland Division of Police for aggravated murder.

According to Cleveland Police, on July 13, 2024, a male victim was shot in the back while trying to run away from the assailant. The incident occurred at the apartments located in the 2300 block of E. 30th Street in Cleveland.

Copeland later succumbed to the gunshot wound. White was identified as being involved in the incident and a warrant was issued for her arrest today. 
Earlier this afternoon, members of the US Marshals violent fugitive task force located White at a residence in the 400 block of E. Adams St. in Sandusky, Ohio.  White was arrested there without incident and transported to Cleveland Police. Following the arrest, a search warrant was executed at the residence and a firearm was seized.

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “Another outstanding investigation conducted by the Cleveland Division of Police homicide unit led to a successful arrest today. The strong working relationship between our task force and the Cleveland Division of Police results in violent fugitives being taken off the street.”

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 Twitter @USMSCleveland.  

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force – Cleveland Division is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies:  U.S. Marshals Service, Cleveland Police Department, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department, Euclid Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Independence Police Department, Parma Police Department, Aurora Police Department, Solon Police Department, Cleveland RTA Police Department, Westlake Police Department, Bedford Police Department, Middleburg Heights Police Department, Newburgh Heights Police Department and the Metrohealth Police Department.

Source: US Marshals Service

The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) hockey team took part in the 2024 CanAm Police-Fire Games in Butler County, Pennsylvania, from July 19-21, 2024. The games are a multi-sport Olympic style event that gives competitors from fire and rescue, law enforcement, emergency medical services, and other first responders the opportunity to participate in a variety of team sports, as well as individual skilled events.

The team posted a strong preliminary round with two wins, one loss, and one tie, leading them to qualifying for a quarterfinal spot. The USMS hockey team unfortunately lost a hard-fought game to Lancaster County (PA). The team played well all weekend despite a short bench of only 11 skaters and playing five games over two days.

The event was the first for the team since losing one of their original members in April 2024, Deputy U.S. Marshal (DUSM) Tommy Weeks.  The team honored Deputy Weeks’ memory by wearing 19, his number, as a patch on their jerseys and displaying his jersey on the bench during each of their games. In addition, the team wore t-shirts dedicated to his memory throughout the weekend events.

The U.S. Marshals Service Hockey team is a non-funded team comprised of any employee, contractor, or task force officer associated with the USMS. The team plays in numerous tournaments, exhibitions, and charity games mainly on the east coast. Team members come from across the United States to play.

Source: US Marshals Service

New Orleans, LA – The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Eastern District of Louisiana is alerting the public of a continuing imposter phone scam where con artists are spoofing the district office’s real number to trick people into sending payments.  This tactic is known as neighbor spoofing, where scammers using technology to modify what number appears on your caller ID to impersonate phone numbers from friends, local businesses, and this case, law enforcement, to appear legit.  “Our office has received numerous inquiries about phone calls from the U.S. Marshals seeking mandatory payment or go to jail,” U.S. Marshal Enix Smith said, “I want the public to know that these calls are scams!  I urge you to verify the court order given by the caller by simply contacting the U.S. District Court Clerk’s Office in your area.”

The U.S. Marshals are urging people to report the calls to their local FBI office and file a consumer complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, which has the ability to detect patterns of fraud from the information collected and share that data with law enforcement.

During these calls, scammers attempt to collect a fine in lieu of arrest for failing to report for jury duty or other offenses. They then tell victims they can avoid arrest by sending money or by purchasing a prepaid debit card or gift card and read the card number over the phone to satisfy the fine.

Scammers use many different tactics to sound credible. They sometimes provide information like badge numbers, names of actual law enforcement officials and federal judges, and courthouse addresses. 

If you believe you were a victim of such a scam, you are encouraged to report the incident to your local FBI office and to the FTC.

Things to remember:

• U.S. Marshals WILL NEVER ask for credit/debit card/gift card numbers, wire transfers, or bank routing numbers for any purpose.
• Don’t divulge personal or financial information to unknown callers.
• Report scam phone calls to your local FBI office and to the FTC.
• You can remain anonymous when you report.
• If scammer provides a court order, authenticate the call by calling the clerk of the court’s office of the U.S. District Court in your area and verify the court order given by the caller.

Source: US Marshals Service

Cedar Rapids, IA – The U.S. Marshals Northern Iowa Fugitive Task Force is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a fugitive wanted on charges out of the Northern District of Iowa stemming from a December 2023 incident for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of firearm by prohibited person, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Nathan E. Nickless, 39, was last known to be residing in the greater Humboldt and Webster county area.

Nickless is 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs approximately 170 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes.

If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Nickless, please contact the U.S. Marshals at (712) 252-3077 or submit a tip via the USMS Tips App.  If your call is urgent, please dial your local police or 911.  Cash reward available.

The U.S. Marshals Service is the federal government’s primary agency for fugitive investigations. Nationwide, 60 local task forces are dedicated to violent crime reduction by locating and apprehending wanted criminals. These task forces also serve as the central point for agencies to share information on fugitive matters. The Northern Iowa Fugitive Task Force comprises officers from the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement,  Cedar Rapids Police Department, Waterloo Police Department, Marion Police Department, Independence Police Department, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Iowa Department of Corrections.