Category: US Marshals Service

Source: US Marshals Service

Newark, NJ – Throughout the week of March 17–21 the U.S. Marshals Service conducted a series of high-impact fugitive enforcement actions focused on violent offenders throughout the state. During these endeavors, U.S. Marshals from the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force captured more than 25 fugitives in the District of New Jersey.

“Justice has no hiding place.  These arrests send a clear message – law enforcement will find you and hold you accountable to face the consequences for your actions,” said Juan Mattos Jr., U.S. Marshal for the District of New Jersey.  

The U.S. Marshals Service used its multijurisdictional investigative authority and fugitive task force network to arrest several homicide suspects, including Kenneth Tripline, 36, wanted for home invasion murder out of Bridgeton.  Additionally, arrests were made for multiple sex offenders, illegal aliens, including an MS-13 gang member, and others wanted for a multitude of weapons offenses. Investigators also seized a loaded firearm, crack cocaine, and a substantial amount of heroin.  

“No one is above the law.  If you think you can outrun justice, think again. These arrests are the result of relentless effort and unwavering collaboration with our state, county, local, and federal partners.  We are committed to making New Jersey a safe place to live, “said Mattos.  

“Many thanks to the entirety of our New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force partners throughout the state of New Jersey for their cooperation and assistance throughout these arrest endeavors.”

Since the 1980s, the Marshals Service has combined their resources and expertise with local, state, and federal agencies to find and apprehend dangerous fugitives. 

Source: US Marshals Service

Newark, NJ – The U.S. Marshals Service has concluded a month-long enforcement initiative focusing on the location and arrest of non-compliant sex offenders with active warrants for failure to register. This enforcement initiative, named Operation “Cold Pursuit,” resulted in the arrest of over 20 convicted sex offenders in Union and Essex counites and included several offenders located out-of-state.

“Registration laws exist to protect communities, and failing to comply is a serious risk to public safety,” said Juan Mattos Jr., U.S. Marshal for the District of New Jersey.

“Unregistered sex offenders operate in the shadows, and our job is to bring them into the light before they can do more harm.”

During Operation “Cold Pursuit,” the District of New Jersey and the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force focused on a specific group of offenders with older warrants, who failed to comply with registration requirements.  In addition, Operation “Cold Pursuit” generated leads for sex offenders who traveled out-of-state and are in possible violation of the Adam Walsh Act and facing new charges.

“Sex offender registration isn’t optional – it’s the law,” said Mattos. “Those who fail to comply aren’t just slipping through the cracks; they’re deliberately hiding and putting communities at risk.  The U.S. Marshals Service will find them, hold them accountable, and continue to serve and protect the innocent at all costs.”

The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, provides that the Attorney General shall use the resources of Federal law enforcement, including the United States Marshals Service, to assist jurisdictions in locating and apprehending sex offenders who violate sex offender registration requirements. Operation “Cold Pursuit” has continued this tradition by serving this mission.  

Source: US Marshals Service

Portland, ME – The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), Maine Violent Offender Task Force (MVOTF) announce the arrest of David W. Kirkland, 53, in Portland, Maine. According to Florida authorities, an arrest warrant was issued for Kirkland on February 17, 2025, for two counts of lewd or lascivious behavior-molestation with a victim being a minor under 12 years of age out of Marion County, Florida.

Based upon an investigative lead from the United States Marshals Service, Florida Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force (FCRFTF), Investigators developed information that Kirkland was currently residing in Maine. Through a collaborative effort, the USMS, Maine Violent Offender Task Force was able to locate Kirkland and safely apprehend him in Portland, Maine. Kirkland is charged as a fugitive from justice and is pending extradition
back to Florida.

The USMS, Maine Violent Offender Task Force received significant assistance from the USMS Florida Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force and the State of Maine Department  of Correction, Division of Probation and Parole.

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. Border Patrol, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Maine National Guard Counter Drug Program.

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 or submit a web tip.

Source: US Marshals Service

Philadelphia, PA – Investigators from the U.S. Marshals task force in Philadelphia, along with Deputies from the New York/New Jersey Atlantic City Division, arrested Kenneth Tripline in the 1500 block of West Diamond Street. Tripline was wanted by the Bridgeton Police Department for murder in relation to an incident that took place March 11th. Tripline allegedly stabbed his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend multiple times and then fled the scene. A warrant was issued March 12th and immediately delegated to the U.S. Marshals in New Jersey.

On March 20th, Marshals developed information Tripline was presently in a residence around Temple University. At 9 a.m. investigators from the Marshals Service in Philadelphia and Atlantic City Division, along with Temple Police Officers, surrounded a home in the 1500 block of West Diamond Street. After knocking at the property, Tripline immediately attempted to escape from a rear window but was forced back inside by police. Tripline eventually surrendered to Marshals in front of the residence and was placed into custody without incident. 

“Upon determining a fugitive wanted for murder was hiding in close proximity to Temple University, it was imperative for us to capture him as expeditiously as possible,” said Robert Clark, Supervisory Deputy for the Eastern Pennsylvania Violent Crime Fugitive Task Force.

The Eastern Pennsylvania Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force is a team of law enforcement officers led by U.S. Marshals in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. The task force’s objective is to seek out and arrest violent crime fugitives. Membership agencies include the Philadelphia Police Department, Pennsylvania State Parole Officers, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Attorney General Agents, Immigration Customs Enforcement, Chester Police Department, the Bucks County Sheriff’s Office, and the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office.

Source: US Marshals Service

Cedar Rapids, IA – U.S. Marshals today arrested a man in Nevada who is wanted on several charges in Iowa. 

Donnie Danell White, 51, is wanted in connection to a deceased individual found in southwest Cedar Rapids. White is wanted in Linn County on charges of murder in the first-degree and nonconsensual termination of pregnancy.     

On March 14 investigators with the Cedar Rapids Police Department contacted the Northern Iowa Fugitive Task Force requesting assistance in the location and apprehension of White. Task Force officers began to follow up on leads throughout Cedar Rapids and developed information indicating White had fled the state following the murder.  Officials began coordinating with the U.S. Marshals Nevada Violent Offender Task Force. 

Officers with the Nevada Violent Offender Task Force today narrowed their search to an area in the 2900 block of West Washington Avenue in Las Vegas.  U.S. Marshals approached the suspect shortly after 3 p.m. and White eventually surrendered to the Nevada Violent Offender Task Force.  White was arrested without incident and transported for processing.  He will remain in custody until extradition to Iowa.

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 is comprised of officers from the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Cedar Rapids Police Department, Waterloo Police Department, Marion Police Department, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Iowa Department of Corrections.

Source: US Marshals Service

Madison County, TN – After a coordinated investigation by the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) in the Districts of West Tennessee and Oregon, Walter Leonard Smalls, age 69, of Grants Pass, Oregon, was arrested May 18, 2025, for failure to appear for possession of a controlled substance with intent in Madison County, Tennessee.

On May 3, 2023, a Madison County Sheriff’s Deputy stopped an RV on I-40 for traffic violations. A probable cause search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 437 pounds of vacuum sealed packages of marijuana, 800 THC cartridges, 84 mushroom chocolate bars, 27 edible mushroom packages, 24 packs of THC edibles, and approximately 1 pound of THC wax. Walter Smalls was arrested and transported to the Madsion County Jail. He was later released on bond.

After failing to appear for an August 12, 2024, arraignment in Madison County Circuit Court, a warrant was issued for Small’s arrest.

The fugitive case was adopted by the USMS Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force in Jackson (TRVFTF). The task force developed information that Smalls was back in Oregon and provided investigative leads to the USMS Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force.

On May 18, 2025, the task force found Smalls at a residence in Wolf Creek, Oregon and took him into custody. He is being held at the Josephine County Jail.

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

Austin, TX – Members of the U.S. Marshals-led Lone Star Fugitive Task Force March 13 arrested a man sought for murder that occurred Dec. 21, 2024, in Austin. 

Juan Carlos Rodriguez-Gomez, 26, was a suspect wanted by the Austin Police Department for a homicide that occurred in the 2500 block of Huntwick Road, where a victim was reported to have been shot inside a vehicle in the parking lot.  

Austin police arrived on scene and located the male victim, who had sustained life-threatening gunshot wounds, and was pronounced deceased, despite lifesaving attempts. 

On Feb. 16, the Austin Police Department, Homicide Unit, obtained a warrant for Rodriguez-Gomez in the City of Austin Municipal Court and requested immediate assistance from the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force in the Austin Division. 

On March 13, after members of the task force developed information that indicated Rodriguez-Gomez was residing in the 15200 block of Sparks Road in Manor, the suspect fled on foot into a wooded area and was arrested by a swarm of task force officers, with vital assistance provided by the Austin Police Department, Air Support Division. 

Rodriguez-Gomez was transferred to the Austin Police Department and booked into the Travis County Jail where he will await further judicial proceedings. 

According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Rodriguez-Gomez, a Mexican national, is an undocumented immigrant from Mexico with no legal status in the United States.

Members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force in Austin – 

Austin Police Department-Tactical Intelligence Unit
Round Rock, and San Marcos Police Department
Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson County Sheriff’s Office
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

Source: US Marshals Service

San Antonio, TX – The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS)-led Lone Star Fugitive Task Force (LSFTF) in San Antonio, with the assistance of the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force (GCVOTF) in Laredo, has apprehended a San Antonio man wanted in connection with the 2019 murder of an elderly man. 

Joe Michael Rubio, 24, was apprehended March 14 with the assistance of Mexican authorities from La Secretaría de Seguridad y Protección Ciudadana (SSPC) in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. His capture resulted from a multiagency effort that developed numerous leads.

Rubio was detained, officially deported from Mexico, and placed into the custody of the U.S. Marshals GCVOTF in Laredo where he is currently awaiting extradition back to Bexar County. 

On July 26, 2019, 77-year-old Jose Rodriguez was fatally shot outside a gas station on Fair Avenue in San Antonio’s South Side. After purchasing lottery tickets, he was confronted by two suspects in what police believe was an attempted robbery. During the altercation, Rodriguez sustained three gunshot wounds, including one to the face, and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Rubio was subsequently charged with aggravated robbery and homicide. Members of the LSFTF followed multiple leads and gathered information suggesting that Rubio fled to Mexico upon learning of his active arrest warrant.

In 2023, the LSFTF officially elevated the case involving Rubio to USMS Major Case status.

“Through strong international partnerships, the U.S. Marshals Service collaborates with law enforcement agencies in Mexico and beyond to facilitate the apprehension of fugitives and uphold justice,” said Susan Pamerleau, U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Texas. “These cooperative efforts play a vital role in enhancing public safety and ensuring that fugitives are held accountable.”

The LSFTF thanks the Mexican authorities from La Secretaría de Seguridad y Protección Ciudadana for their critical assistance.

The USMS Major Case Fugitive Program prioritizes the investigation and apprehension of high-profile offenders considered to be some of the country’s most dangerous individuals. These offenders tend to be career criminals with histories of violence or who pose a significant threat to public safety.

Members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force – San Antonio:

Bexar County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO)
Texas Department of Public Safety (TXDPS)
Texas Attorney General’s Office (TXAGO)
Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS)
New Braunfels Police Department (NBPD)
Texas Board of Criminal Justice OIG (TBCJ)
Bexar County District Attorney’s Office (BCDA)
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) U.S. Marshal Service (USMS)

Source: US Marshals Service

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands – A murder suspect is back in custody in St. Thomas thanks to the efforts of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) in the District of the Virgin Islands, the USMS Florida Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force (FCRFTF), the Virgin Islands Police Department, the USMS Foreign Field Office Jamaica and the British Virgin Islands Department of Immigration.

Demare A. Encarnacion, 32, is alleged to have participated in the early morning Oct. 13, 2024, shooting death of Cecil Scatliffe in the area of Kronprindsens Gade.

Encarnacion was charged by arrest warrant Oct. 17, 2024, with first-degree murder, use of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence, possession of an unlicensed firearm within 1,000 feet of a school.

FCRFTF investigators developed information in December 2024 that Encarnacion was in Tortola, British Virgin Islands. He was apprehended in Tortola earlier today and returned to the USVI by BVI Immigration officers.

“As the enforcement arm of the U.S. Courts, the U.S. Marshals’ commitment to partnerships with federal, local and international law enforcement agencies to track down violent fugitives is unwavering,” said Acting U.S. Marshal for the District of the Virgin Islands, Kwesi Howard. “Although we cannot arrest our way out of problems, we can help bring closure to families who are affected by crimes of violence.”

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

Memphis, TN – Luck ran out today for Anntenika Brown as she was arrested for first-degree murder by the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) in Memphis.

On January 13, 2025, Jeffery Washington was shot to death at a residence in the 4200 block of Cottonwood in Memphis. The next day, an arrest warrant was issued charging Anntenika Brown, 45, with first-degree murder. The fugitive investigation was adopted by the USMS Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force (TRVFTF) in Memphis.

Today, March 17, 2025, Investigators with the USMS TRVFTF tracked Brown to a residence in the 3300 block of McCorkle Road in Memphis. She initially made false statements about her identity; however, Deputy marshals and task force officers positively identified her as the wanted person, Anntenika Brown. She was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Shelby County Detention Center.

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.