Category: US Marshals Service

Source: US Marshals Service

Portland, ME – The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), Maine Violent Offender Task Force (MVOTF) announces the arrest of Claude Tuyishime, 25, of Windham, ME.

On Thursday, August 15, 2024, Tuyishime was arrested on a warrant issued on August 2, 2024 by the East Central Judicial District, County of Cass, in North Dakota for Gross Sexual Imposition involving a victim under 15 years of age.

The USMS, District of North Dakota High Plains Fugitive Task Force, provided investigative leads to the USMS MVOTF requesting assistance in locating and apprehending Tuyishime in Maine.

Through a collaborative law enforcement effort, authorities developed information which led investigators to Biddeford, ME. USMS Task Force members were able to identify Tuyishime in the vicinity of Alfred Rd. in Biddeford, ME, and were able to safely apprehend him without incident.

Tuyishime is charged as a Fugitive from Justice and will be arraigned in Maine pending his extradition back to North Dakota.

The USMS, Maine Violent Offender Task Force received significant assistance from the USMS District of North Dakota High Plains Fugitive Task Force, and the Cass County Sheriff’s Office in Fargo, North Dakota. The USMS Maine Violent Offender Task Force is comprised of members of the U.S. Marshals Service, Maine Department of Corrections, Biddeford Police Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Maine National Guard Counter Drug Task Force.

If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of any State or Federal Fugitive please contact the United States Marshals Service, District of Maine at MED.TIPLINE@usdoj.gov.

Source: US Marshals Service

Portland, ME – The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), Maine Violent Offender Task Force (MVOTF) announces the arrest of Darell Love, 33, of Springfield, MA.

On Tuesday, August 13th, 2024, Love was arrested on multiple warrants issued from the Chicopee District Court in Massachusetts to include one count of home invasion, one count of firearm violation with 3 prior violent/drug crimes, one count of kidnapping, two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and one count of larceny.

The USMS, District of Massachusetts Fugitive Task Force, provided investigative leads to the USMS MVOTF requesting assistance in locating and apprehending Love in Maine.

Through a collaborative law enforcement effort, authorities developed information which led investigators to Portland, ME. USMS Task Force members were able to identify Love in a motor vehicle in the vicinity of 27 Washington St. Portland, ME, and were able to safely apprehend him without incident.

Love is charged as a Fugitive from Justice and will be arraigned in Maine pending his extradition back to Massachusetts.

The USMS, Maine Violent Offender Task Force received significant assistance from the USMS District of MA Fugitive Task Force, Springfield, MA Police Department, Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section (VFAS), The Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, Chicopee, MA Police Department, and the Maine State Police. The USMS Maine Violent Offender Task Force is comprised of members of the U.S. Marshals Service, Maine Department of Corrections, Biddeford Police Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Maine National Guard Counter Drug Task Force.

If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of any State or Federal Fugitive please contact the United States Marshals Service, District of Maine at MED.TIPLINE@usdoj.gov.
 

Source: US Marshals Service

Cleveland, OH– United States Marshal Peter Elliott announces the local recipients for two of the United States Marshals Service 42nd Director’s Honorary Awards. These are the highest honors granted by the United States Marshals Service (USMS) to recognize employees and citizens who perform in an exemplary manner in support of our Agency’s missions.  The awards ceremony will be held on August 21, 2024, in Washington, D.C. at the United States Department of Justice.

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) was selected for one of the Distinguished Group Awards for District Task Force.  The task force was recognized for its dedicated service to the citizens and communities all across northern Ohio.  The NOVFTF works tirelessly to locate and arrest the most violent fugitives, and also runs operations that have focused on violent offenders, gangs, firearm offenses and the recovery of missing children.  The NOVFTF was created in 2003 in memory of slain Cleveland Police Officer Wayne Leon.  It is now comprised of 150 federal, state and local agencies, and has over 350 task force officers.  Because of this strong partnership that has been built with our partner agencies, the NOVFTF has arrested over 55,000 fugitives since 2003. This is the eighth national award received by the U.S. Marshals Service in Northern Ohio since 2003.

Stark County Sheriff George Maier stated, “This prestigious recognition underscores the exceptional performance and unwavering commitment of our task force in supporting critical missions.  This award is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our team members, who continually go above and beyond to ensure the safety of our communities by removing violent criminals from the streets.”

Euclid Police Chief Scott Meyer added, “I want to give a well-deserved congratulations to the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force on receiving a Director’s Award for Distinguished Group.  This highest honor was earned by the men and women of the task force who do the incredibly challenging and dangerous work of removing violent fugitives from our streets.  The Euclid Police Department is proud and honored to have such a long-standing partnership with the NOVFTF. Recently, this task force was instrumental in tracking down the suspect who murdered Euclid Police Officer Jacob Derbin #14 on May 11th, 2024.”

U.S Marshal Pete Elliott also added, “The success of the NOVFTF is due to the strong partnerships we have built over the years.  Maintaining this level of success for more than 20 years is an incredible tribute to the dedicated men and women who have worked tirelessly pursuing the most dangerous fugitives in our area.”

The Citizen of the Year Award is presented to a person who has made a significant contribution to the mission of the United States Marshals Service or to their community.  This year, Cleveland’s Grace Leon was selected for this award.  Grace became a police widow on June 25, 2000, when her husband Wayne, a Cleveland Police Officer, was shot during a traffic stop by a wanted fugitive.  From this tragedy, Grace became a Licensed Social Worker, and in a true full circle, is now assisting families of homicide victims.  Grace is a Crisis Intervention Specialist and is embedded with the Cleveland Police Homicide Unit. Grace also generously donates her time to many community organizations and has been a strong supporter of the U.S. Marshals Service, the NOVFTF and our Fugitive Safe Surrender program since it was started in 2005.  

Cleveland Division of Police Chief Annie Todd stated, “It’s fitting that Grace Leon receives this prestigious national award. Her volunteer efforts working with families of homicide victims for over two decades has provided not only comfort, but a skill she has shared from her personal experiences and her professional education.  The assignment of Grace Leon, from Frontline Services to the Cleveland Division of Police has been a unique resource for not only the families of homicide victims, but also for officers. We are fortunate to have her within our Division.”

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 is comprised of Divisions in the following areas: Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Lorain, Mansfield, Painesville, Toledo, and Youngstown.

Source: US Marshals Service

San Juan, PR – The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Puerto Rico Violent Offenders Task Force (PRVOTF) Aug. 8 arrested in Guaynabo a man with a state and a federal warrant on charges of physically abusing and beating his wife and of conspiracy to produce and distribute cocaine, heroin and fentanyl. 

Luis Yerier Jorge-Pabon, 32, was arrested without incident in Public Housing Project Complex Alejandrino in Guaynabo. 

As a result of the arrest, USMS PRVOTF seized two Glock pistols (modified to fire fully automatic), numerous gun magazines and ammunition, and a large number of drugs divided for distribution in different containers and paraphernalia from Jorge-Pabon’s immediacies. 

On June 8, 2023, a magistrate judge from the U.S. District Court of Puerto Rico issued an indictment charging 40 violent gang members from the municipality of San Juan with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, possession and distribution of controlled substances, and firearms violations. The pertaining indictment was the result of a two-year investigation known as Operation “Gangster’s Paradise” conducted by Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. Jorge-Pabon was one of the individuals charged in the indictment. Members of the drug trafficking organization have been sentenced to federal prison for drug and money laundering violations.

On May 3, Puerto Rico State Court of Bayamon Judge Aida E. Melendez Juarbe issued an arrest warrant against Jorge-Pabon on charges of assault and physical aggression against his wife, in an incident reported the same year in the town of Guaynabo. 

“The U.S. Marshals Service continues working to find and take off the streets those individuals who think they are above the law,” said Wilmer Ocasio-Ibarra, U.S. Marshal for the District of Puerto Rico. “Even with state and federal warrants against him, Jorge-Pabon continued committing crimes. He and others should know that no matter where they hide, the U.S. Marshals will find and arrest them to help keep our communities safe.” 

The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program was established in 1982. The OCDETF mission is to destabilize and disrupt the most serious crime organizations. The goal of this initiative is the continued, systematic disruption and dismantlement of OCDETF Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTOs).

The USMS has presence in the OCDETF Strike Forces in key cities throughout the country. These Strike Forces capitalize on the synergy created through the long-term relationships forged by agents, analysts, and prosecutors who work together over time and are a proven model in combating organized crime.  

The U.S. Marshals Service encourages the community to continue to collaborate with our deputies on tips that help find the whereabouts of a fugitive by contacting our local office at (787) 766-6540, calling the U.S. Marshals Service Communication Center at 1 (800) 336-0102, or submitting tips using the USMS Tips App.

Source: US Marshals Service

Charleston, WV – The U.S. Marshals Southern District of West Virginia CUFFED Task Force is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a Rand man wanted by the U.S. Marshals and Homeland Security Investigations in reference to a federal indictment for interfering with commerce by use of violence or threats of violence.

Tiwan Robert Bailey, aka “Quick”, 48, has strong ties to the community of Rand and is believed to be using his network within that area to remain at large. He frequents the eastern portion of Kanawha County with multiple family members residing on the West Side of Charleston. 

Investigators believe Bailey is aware he is wanted and is actively evading law enforcement. His criminal history includes acts of violence, and he should be considered armed and dangerous.

The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to Bailey’s arrest. Bailey is a Black male, standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing approximately 250 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes.  

Anyone with information about Bailey’s location is urged to call the USMS Tip Hotline at 1-877-926-8332 or the USMS Southern District of West Virginia at 304-347-5136. Tips can also be submitted online via the USMS Tips App.  All tips are kept confidential.

Source: US Marshals Service

Boston, MA – A suspected serial rapist who was a U.S. Marshals (USMS) major case fugitive in the District of Massachusetts was arrested in California Thursday afternoon. 

Stephen Paul Gale, 71, was taken into custody in Los Angeles following a 1 ½-hour pursuit with the Los Angeles Police Department. 

Gale was recently identified through genetic genealogy as the subject responsible for a series of rapes in Boston from 1989 to 1990. At the time, the unknown subject was called the Boston Strip Mall Rapist. Gale was on the run for a number of years before he was publicly identified as the subject and was last seen in 2008. 

The USMS in the District of Massachusetts adopted the case in March 2024, at the request of our local partners, Framingham Police Department, Massachusetts State Police VFAS (Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section), and the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office. The investigation was elevated to a Major Case, with a $5,000 reward being offered for information leading to his arrest, and the USMS conducted a series of case coordination meetings with multiple units throughout the agency. 

Recent investigative efforts by the USMS in the District of Nevada and elsewhere led to information on which the USMS Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force (PSWRFTF) was able to take action. 

After Gale fled from PSWRFTF, the LAPD (Los Angeles Police Department) pursued him until he finally surrendered to them near the Ronald Reagan UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) Medical Center.

Source: US Marshals Service

Baltimore, MD –The U.S. Marshals Service and task force partners in the District of Maryland conducted a large-scale, public safety initiative from May through August dubbed Operation Silver Shield. During the 90-day interagency operation, deputies from the District of Maryland prioritized the arrest of non-compliant sex offenders while the other members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force focused on the apprehension of violent fugitives. The collective efforts of law enforcement resulted in the closure of 237 arrest warrants.

During Operation Silver Shield, the U.S. Marshals Service collaborated with federal, state, and local partners to arrest 232 fugitives, including 36 wanted for sex offender registration violations, 17 wanted for rape, four wanted for other sex offenses, 14 wanted for homicide, 45 wanted for aggravated assault, 27 wanted for robbery, five wanted for weapon offenses, five wanted for armed carjackings, and 12 wanted for drug offenses. Additionally, law enforcement partners seized seven firearms and assisted with locating/recovering four critically missing children.

“The arrest of these fugitives represents a step in the right direction to keep Maryland safe,” said Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland.

“During Operation Silver Shield, our Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force worked to arrest dozens of violent fugitives and non-compliant sex offenders,” said Clinton J. Fuchs, U.S. Marshal for the District of Maryland. “The results of this collaborative effort demonstrate our commitment to protecting citizens across the state of Maryland.”

“We created the District of Maryland’s Silver Shield Unit to strengthen interagency-community collaboration,” said Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal for the District of Maryland Mathew Silverman. “Throughout this operation, we worked hand-in-hand with local communities to take dangerous offenders off the streets. The results of Operation Silver Shield reflects the true power of our public safety partnership.”

The U.S. Marshals Service Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force began operations in June 2004 and has partnership agreements with more than 133 federal, state, and local agencies and operates in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. The Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force has apprehended more than 78,000 fugitives since its inception and is always striving to make communities safer.

Participating agencies included: U.S. Marshals Service; Annapolis Police Department; Anne Arundel County Police Department; Baltimore Police Department; Baltimore County Police Department; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Bowie Police Department; Carroll County Sheriff’s Office; Cecil County Sheriff’s Office Charles County Sheriff’s Office; Department of State – Diplomatic Security Services; D.C. Department of Corrections; D.C. Metro Police Department; D.C. Metro Transit Police Department; Fredrick County Sheriff’s Office; Fredrick City Police Department; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Forest Heights Police Department; Harford County Sheriff’s Office; Homeland Security Investigations; Howard County Police Department; Howard County Sheriff’s Office; Immigrations and Customs Enforcement; Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services; Maryland State Police; Maryland Transportation Authority Police Department; Montgomery County Police Department; Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office; Prince George’s County Police Department; Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Office; Washington – Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force; Washington, D.C. Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency; U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia – Criminal Investigations Unit; and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland.

Source: US Marshals Service

Cleveland, OH – Earlier this afternoon, members of the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) arrested Dante Freeman, 20. Freeman was wanted by the Warrensville Heights Police Department for homicide.

Freeman is wanted in connection to the January 3, 2024, murder of 19-year-old Lequan Head.  The victim was found in a car near South Pointe Hospital, he had been shot multiple times.  In addition to murder, Freeman was charged with attempted murder, felonious assault, and discharging of a firearm.  In May of this year Freeman was featured as the Fugitive of the Week for the NOVFTF. 

Today, members of the task force gathered information that Freeman was possibly in a home in Brunswick, Ohio.  Officers located and arrested Freeman at the home in the 100 block of Redbridge Ln in Brunswick.

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “Great work by members of our team locating this violent fugitive and safely bringing him into custody.  Hopefully this will bring some justice to the victim’s family.”

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

San Juan, PR – On the night of Aug. 5, police officers from the Puerto Rico Police Bureau (PRPB) investigated a shooting in the Municipality of Carolina involving three men, two of whom were federal fugitives.

The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Puerto Rico Violent Offenders Task Force assumed custody of the two men wanted in Puerto Rico on charges of conspiracy to possess and distribute heroin, cocaine, marijuana, Percocet and Xanax, as well as on weapons charges.

One of the men was Juan Cancio Rivera-Balestier, 37, who is on the 10 Most Wanted list from the U.S. Marshals Service in the District of Puerto Rico. The USMS also assumed jurisdiction of Julio Ortiz-Ortiz, 35. Both men were indicted Aug. 3, 2022, and accused under operation ZIKLAG of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

According to the USMS investigation, Rivera-Balestier and Ortiz-Ortiz were part of a violent drug trafficking organization known as “La Familia” that operates in public housing projects Jardines de Country Club, Residencial Monte Hatillo, Residencial Monte Park and the “El Polvorín” neighborhood in Carolina, Puerto Rico.

According to the authorities, after the indictment Rivera-Balestier remained a fugitive and became the leader of the criminal organization. “La Familia” members, who call themselves PV or PV Familia, have been distributing heroin, cocaine, marijuana, Percocet and Xanax in various housing projects, where multiple violent murders have occurred that are associated with the criminal organization. As part of the conspiracy, members of “La Familia” change the location of the drug sales points to avoid being detected by the police.

“These two men are highly dangerous and even though they had an arrest warrant against them, they continued with their criminal activity, which is why they ended up being stalked and shot by an enemy side,” said PRPB Commissioner, Col. Antonio López Figueroa. “The arrest of both individuals is the product of the joint and continuous work between our police officers and the office of the U.S. Marshals, work that has managed to get hundreds of individuals off the street who threaten the safety of our communities. The investigative work in this case continues in order to clarify multiple crimes attributed to these individuals.”

“We are pleased with the results of our ongoing collaboration with the Puerto Rico Police Bureau,” said Wilmer Ocasio-Ibarra, U.S. Marshal for the District of Puerto Rico. “As I always say, bringing fugitives to justice is only one of the consequences. Fortunately, this time there were no innocent victims in the shooting that led to the identification of these violent fugitives. Although they may try to hide, they should always know that the U.S. Marshals Service will not stop until they find you and bring you to justice.”

The U.S. Marshals Service encourages the community to continue to collaborate with our deputies on tips that help find fugitives by contacting our local office at (787) 766-6540, calling the U.S. Marshals Service Communication Center at 1 (800) 336-0102, or submitting tips using the USMS Tips App.

Source: US Marshals Service

Washington, DC – A man elevated to the U.S. Marshals (USMS) 15 Most Wanted Fugitive list Aug. 1 for a Florida murder and a kidnapping in Canada was arrested in Redway, California, Aug. 5 by the agency’s Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force (PSWRFTF) and deputy U.S. marshals in the Northern District of California working a lead from the USMS in the Southern District of Florida.

Deshawn “Thorobread” Davis, 36, a Canadian man, is wanted for a brutal murder that occurred May 7, 2023, during which he is alleged to have opened fire during a party at the GALA, a Miami Beach nightclub, shooting to death Lowell “Lo” Grissom, a Miami rapper and talent scout for Chris Brown Entertainment, and injuring two women. 

Law enforcement in Florida believe the murder was a targeted attack with a gang nexus. 

Davis was already a fugitive in Canada when the Florida murder took place.

In February 2023 the Ontario Provincial Police charged Davis and two others with the January 2022 kidnapping of Elnaz Hajtamiri. Elnaz was kidnapped from a relative’s house in Wasaga Beach, Ontario, on the night of Jan. 12, 2022, to an SUV before disappearing. She has not been found. The Canada Crown attorney charged her ex-boyfriend Mohamad with murder by way of direct indictment. 

“I commend the men and women of the Marshals Service and our partners for the capture of Deshawn Davis,” said U.S. Marshals Service Director Ronald L. Davis. “It is our hope that this apprehension brings justice to his victims and safety to the community.”

The USMS in the Southern District of Florida and the USMS Florida/Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force (FCRFTF) adopted the Miami Beach Police murder warrant and have been collaborating with the USMS Investigative Operations Division Office of Canadian Affairs to locate Davis, who was believed to be in the U.S. 

Davis has been featured on Canada’s 25 Most Wanted for his involvement in the Ontario kidnapping and murder. 

Created in 1983, the USMS 15 Most Wanted (15MW) fugitive program draws attention to some of the country’s most dangerous and high-profile fugitives. These fugitives tend to be career criminals with histories of violence who pose a significant threat to public safety.  Generally, 15MW fugitives are considered the “worst of the worst” and can include murderers, sex offenders, major drug kingpins, organized crime figures and individuals wanted for high-profile financial crimes. Since the program began in 1983, more than 250 15MW fugitive cases have been closed. 

The USMS has a long history of providing assistance and expertise to other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in support of their fugitive investigations. Working with authorities at the federal, state, tribal, and local levels, USMS-led fugitive task forces arrested more than 73,000 fugitives and cleared nearly 86,000 warrants in FY 2023.     

The Florida/Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force began operations in July 2008 following the Presidential Threat Protection Act of 2000. With partnership agreements with more than 90 federal, state or local agencies and 11 fully operational offices, the FCRFTF has apprehended more than 64,600 fugitives since inception.

The FCRFTF, in cooperation with its partners, has made an extraordinary impact on the apprehension of the region’s most dangerous and violent fugitives, making communities and citizens safer.

The Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force began operations in April 2002. With partnership agreements with over 53 federal, state, or local agencies, the PSWRFTF operates throughout California and Nevada and has apprehend more than 105,900 fugitives since inception. 

The USMS Office of International Operations works with the international law enforcement community to apprehend fugitives abroad as well as to seek foreign fugitives living or residing in the United States. Through global cooperation, the OIO works to strengthen partnerships, share information, and coordinate among nations to continue to bring fugitives to justice in the U.S. and across the world.