Category: US Marshals Service

Source: US Marshals Service

Cleveland, OH – The U.S. Marshals in Cleveland, OH recovered a five-year-old child yesterday who was missing from Yorktown, VA. The child was taken by a non-custodial parent and never returned on May 1, 2024. 

Authorities in Virginia were able to identify information putting the child and non-custodial parent in Cleveland, OH. The U.S. Marshals Missing Child Unit followed up on the information and were able to locate the child and arrest the non-custodial parent in the 14400 block of Cedar Road, Cleveland, OH.

Ashlee Benneson (31), of Newport News, VA was charged by the Newport News Police Department with parental abduction. She was taken to the Cuyahoga County Jail and the child was turned over to the Department of Family Services until united with the custodial parent.

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “Cases such as these highlight the reach of our agency and team.  The safety of children is a highest priority for us and we are happy to recover this child and reunite them with their custodial parent.”

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

For many college students, summer is a time to think about their future careers by working internships in their desired field. This summer the United States Marshals Service (USMS) has over 25 interns out of its headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. On July 25th, the USMS is celebrating the contributions and projects they have completed during their programs thus far as a part of National Intern Day.

Each intern is assigned to a supervisor within a staff office or division. Interns work on projects like revamping internal practices, writing policy memos, reviewing case studies, and creating communication materials.

“It’s a lot more than just administrative work,” said Nyla Souffrant, a political science and international affairs major at the University of Georgia. “Here, I get to be hands-on with what I actually want to do career-wise. That’s how I know I’m in the right career field.”

“It’s absolutely worth getting involved because it’s so hands-on,” said Alexander Williams, a biology and history student at Yale University. “In my experience, it’s been to hit the ground running and just sprint.”

In addition to working on their projects, USMS interns have the opportunity to go on field trips, attend information sessions, and meet with executive officers. Interns this summer have visited with employees at the Secret Service, Interpol, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the DC Superior and District Courts, the Supreme Court, the U.S. Capitol, and the FBI.

“We try to gauge the interest of the students so that it truly is the best use of their time,” said Jonathan Ocana, Chief Diversity Officer. “We want them to be exposed to things that are of actual interest to them and not what we are projecting on them.”

“Being here has given me an opportunity and a platform to learn stuff that I would have never learned at any other internship,” said Javier Simpson, a political science student at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

The USMS internship program is well-established and can lead to permanent employment opportunities within the agency.  

“There are countless executives who have been here for close to 20 years, and they talk about having an internship experience here,” said Ocana. 

Each year the USMS headquarters has students from over 50 colleges partake in its internship program. Some of the interns from this summer’s cohort are from Virginia Tech, Arkansas State University, Florida State University, University of Georgia, The Citadel, St. Lawrence University, University of Maryland, Rutgers University, George Washington University, and Southern Methodist University.

“You’re always working on the next generation,” Ocana said. “Interns are the population that we’re going to be recruiting later in life, why not start earlier.”

Students interested in the USMS internship program can learn more here.

Source: US Marshals Service

Denver, CO – A multi-agency manhunt for the fugitive homicide suspect wanted in connection to the disappearance and death of Britani Meek in Yuma, Colorado concluded Monday afternoon in Lake Placid, Florida. 

Clifton Boggess, 62, is wanted by the Yuma (CO) Police Department in connection to the disappearance and death of Britani Meek. Meek was initially reported missing on October 25, 2023. During the course of the investigation, both Meek’s vehicle and her remains were discovered on a property located in rural Yuma County. On July 24, a warrant was issued charging Boggess with 1st degree murder, felony tampering with a deceased body, 2nd degree kidnapping, 2nd degree motor vehicle theft, and 3rd degree assault.

On July 25, the Yuma Police Department formally requested assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service’s Colorado Violent Offender Task Force (COVOTF) in locating and apprehending Boggess on the outstanding homicide warrant. Detectives from Yuma PD provided COVOTF investigators information indicating Boggess had likely fled the state. COVOTF investigators and analysts then developed information which indicated Boggess had likely fled to central Florida. That information was then relayed to the U.S. Marshals’ Florida-Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force (FCRFTF) office in West Palm Beach, FL on July 26. FCRFTF investigators immediately began a local investigation into Boggess’ whereabouts based on the information they received from the COVOTF and set up surveillance on a residence in Sebring, FL. 

On Monday, FCRFTF investigators were able to locate Boggess at a commercial storage facility near US Hwy 27 and S Main Ave in Lake Placid. Boggess was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals FCRFTF members without incident. He was then transported to the Highlands County Jail in Sebring, FL where he was booked on the outstanding warrant. Boggess remains in custody there pending his extradition back to Colorado. Boggess is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 
The arrest of this fugitive represents a culmination of extensive cooperative investigative efforts between the Yuma Police Department, U.S. Marshals Colorado Violent Offender Task Force, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshals Colorado Florida-Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force, St. Lucie County (FL) Sheriff’s Office, Indian River (FL) Sheriff’s Office, Martin County (FL) Sheriff’s Office, Highlands County (FL) Sheriff’s Office, Port St. Lucie (FL) Police Department, and Fort Pierce (FL) Police Department. 

The Colorado Violent Offender Task Force (COVOTF) 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. Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @USMSDenver.

Source: US Marshals Service

Hartford, CT – The Connecticut U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force and Newington Police Department today arrested a Connecticut man wanted in Arizona on charges of voyeurism.

David Laudati, 41, of Connecticut, is charged in Maricopa County, Arizona, with 11 counts of voyeurism and eight counts of attempted voyeurism stemming from allegations following a September 2023 investigation by the Buckeye Police Department. Prior to the investigation Laudati was employed as a swim coach. Following the investigation the Buckeye police requested the U.S. Marshal’s assistance in locating and apprehending Laudati.

The U.S Marshals’ investigation led them to a residence in the area of East Robbins Street, Newington, where this afternoon Laudati was apprehended by the Connecticut Violent Fugitive Task force and the Newington Police Department.  

Laudati was taken into custody, transported to the Newington Police Department, charged as a fugitive from justice, and is being held pending extradition back to Maricopa County to face the charges against him.

Since the inception of the U.S. Marshals Connecticut Violent Fugitive Task Force in 1999, these partnerships have resulted in over 11,046 arrests (Updated as of 9/08/2022). The task force’s objective is to seek out and arrest violent fugitives and sexual predators. Membership agencies include Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, Norwalk, Waterbury Police Departments and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. These arrests have ranged in seriousness from murder, assault, unregistered sex offenders, probation and parole violations and numerous other serious offenses. Nationally the United States 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.

Source: US Marshals Service

Memphis, TN – Roland Robinson, 27, was captured today by the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) for charges related to a Memphis homicide.

On June 17, 2024, Cory Allen was found shot to death near the 1700 block of Wilchester in Memphis. Another man was also shot at but was not struck. The Memphis Police Department conducted the investigation and developed Roland Robinson as a suspect.

On July 9th, an arrest was issued for Robinson for Second Degree Murder and Attempted Second Degree Murder. The case was adopted for a fugitive investigation by the USMS Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force in Memphis.

Around 9 a.m., July 29th, U.S. Marshals tracked Robinson’s location to the 40 block of East Dempster Avenue in Memphis. With the assistance of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) Fugitive Apprehension Team, the residence was surrounded and searched. Marko, a SCSO K9 assigned to the fugitive task force, found Robinson hiding in a closet. Robinson was then taken into custody. Medical personnel evaluated Robinson on scene, and he was transported to the Shelby County Jail.

The U.S. Marshals 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, and Tipton County Sheriff’s Deputies, Memphis and Jackson Police Officers, the Tennessee Department of Correction Special Agents and the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Since 2021, the TRVFTF has captured over 2,600 violent offenders and sexual predators.

Source: US Marshals Service

New Orleans, LA – United States Marshals will escort the casket of the late Tessie Prevost-Williams on July 26, 2024, when it lies in state at Gallier Hall and leaves for its final resting place on July 27, 2024, from the Branch Bell Baptist Church. United States Marshal Enix Smith III of the Eastern District of Louisiana will be one of the escorting Marshals with USMS Director Ronald Davis providing remarks at the funeral.

Tessie Prevost along with Gail Etienne, Leona Tate, and Ruby Bridges made history desegregating schools in New Orleans and the Deep South on November 14, 1960. Ms. Prevost was among the first African American students to integrate McDonogh No. 19 Elementary School in New Orleans in 1960. Facing intense hostility, her courage helped pave the way for greater educational equality throughout the United States.

On November 16, 1960, a race riot broke out in front of a meeting of the Orleans School Board regarding the integration of the schools. Following the riot, U.S. Marshals began accompanying the four girls to their respective schools, while death threats against them continued.

“It is an honor to have the opportunity to pay our respects to such an important contributor of the 1960’s civil rights movement. Ms. Prevost’s courage changed our nation, and we will always be thankful for it,” said U.S. Marshal Enix Smith III, U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

The Prevost family has arranged a host of events and ceremonies to honor the civil rights icon. Members of the public will be able to pay their respects to Tessie Prevost-Williams at Gallier Hall from 12-3 p.m. following a ceremonial procession in her honor. Friends, family and the public are invited to attend her funeral services on July 27th at the Branch Bell Baptist Church starting at 10 a.m. and participate after the services in a special New Orleans Jazz Funeral March and Second Line starting at the TEP Center 5909 St. Claude Ave., New Orleans, LA.

Source: US Marshals Service

Fremont County, CO – One of Fremont County’s most-wanted violent fugitives is behind bars after a multi-agency tactical operation which took place Tuesday evening near Penrose, Colorado.

Richard Capek, 35, was arrested by a United States Marshals Service tactical team from the agency’s Special Operations Group after a short standoff at a rural residence near Highway 50 and R Street, approximately five miles east of Penrose. Capek is wanted by the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office on multiple outstanding arrest warrants, which include numerous felony charges. Capek is also a suspect in a residential burglary which occurred on July 11th, where multiple firearms were stolen from a residence in Rockvale, Colorado, approximately four miles southwest of Florence.

On July 5th, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service’s Colorado Violent Offender Task Force (COVOTF) in locating and apprehending Capek on outstanding felony warrants for 2nd degree assault via strangulation, violation of a protection order, 3rd degree assault, and domestic violence. On July 11th, Fremont County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a burglary call at a residence in Rockvale where Capek was identified as a suspect.

Capek allegedly stole one AK-47 style rifle, three AR-15 style rifles, three shotguns, two handguns, and other items. On July 13th, an additional arrest warrant was issued for Capek for his alleged involvement in the burglary, which charged him with two counts of felony burglary, felony theft, felony motor vehicle theft, felony attempted motor vehicle assault, and other charges.

Detectives from the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office worked together with investigators from the COVOTF to narrow down a potential residence of where Capek was staying. Because of the rural nature of the residence, Capek’s violent criminal history, and his alleged theft of multiple firearms, the COVOTF requested additional assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service’s Special Operations Group (SOG). Several days of surveillance eventually resulted in Capek being located, despite him taking specific steps to avoid detection by law enforcement. 

On July 23rd, COVOTF surveillance units identified an individual who was suspected to be Capek. Investigators followed the individual and positively identified him after stopping at a business in Penrose. Capek then returned to the rural Penrose residence where COVOTF team members and Fremont County Sheriff’s deputies established a perimeter around the residence. The USMS SOG team then approached the residence and contacted two other occupants of the home. Capek initially refused commands to exit the residence, but eventually came out and surrendered to law enforcement. USMS SOG operators took Capek into custody and then turned him over to Fremont County Sheriff’s deputies. Once Capek was in custody, the property was turned over to the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office who executed a search warrant on the residence as part of their on-going investigation.

Capek was transported by Fremont County Sheriff’s deputies to the Fremont County jail where he was booked on the multitude of outstanding warrants. He currently remains in custody pending his appearance in court. Capek is presumed innocent on the pending charges until proven guilty.

“On behalf of the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, I would like to thank the U.S. Marshals Service for their assistance with this apprehension. They were able to provide resources such as technical equipment and additional manpower that contributed to a successful resolution in apprehending this wanted fugitive”. – Fremont County Sheriff Allen Cooper 

“Apprehending violent, dangerous fugitives is one of the U.S. Marshals Service’s primary missions, and one we take very seriously here in Colorado” said Kirk Taylor, the U.S. Marshal for the District of Colorado. “This case presented some unique challenges, but combining the vast array of both local and federal resources, we were able to safely apprehend Mr. Capek and bring him in for his day in court.”

The U.S. Marshals Service would like to thank the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Colorado State Patrol, Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office, Otero County Sheriff’s Office, Fountain Police Department, and Colorado Department of Corrections for their assistance and joint cooperation in this investigation.

The Colorado Violent Offender Task Force (COVOTF) 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. 

The U.S. Marshals Service’s Special Operations Group (SOG) is a specially trained, rapidly deployable law enforcement element of the United States Marshals Service. Capable of conducting complex and sensitive operations throughout the globe intended to further the rule of law. SOG leverages these enhanced capabilities in support of the Marshals Service mission and the Department of Justice to protect, defend, and enforce the federal judicial system.

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.

Source: US Marshals Service

Cleveland, OH – Earlier this afternoon, members of the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) arrested Trevonne Clemons, 31. Clemons was wanted by the Cleveland Division of Police for aggravated murder. 

On July 16, 2022, Trevonne Clemons was involved in a verbal altercation with the victim, Terry Ferguson, at a home in the 3300 block of East 73rd St. in Cleveland. During the argument Clemons shot Ferguson multiple times.  The shooting occurred in front of the victim’s children.  Clemons immediately fled the scene, and the victim was transported to MetroHealth where he later died from his injuries.  

A warrant was issued for Clemons shortly after the incident and he has been on the run since.  Early this morning, members of the NOVFTF gathered information that Clemons was in a home in South Euclid.  Members of the task force made contact with occupants in the home and confirmed that Clemons was hiding in the house. Clemons remained barricaded in the home for over two hours, eventually surrendering to officers.

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “This case has been open for almost exactly two years and the task force never gave up looking for this suspect.  The U.S. Marshals will never give up on finding fugitives who commit violence in our communities.”

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

Concord, NH – The U.S. Marshals Service – NH Joint Fugitive Task Force (NHJFTF) and the Bow Police Department safely apprehended Demiko A. Fox, 22, at an establishment near Bow Junction this morning. Fox, originally from the Seattle, Washington area, is a student athlete at a local college but is suspected of murder in the second degree of a 7-year-old girl earlier this year in Kirkland, Washington according to a King County Superior Court warrant.

An ongoing Kirkland Police investigation connects Fox to a child in his care that was brought to a local hospital with no pulse and obvious signs of abuse on April 11, 2024. The child-victim was stabilized, but due to an acute traumatic brain injury, she was transferred to a Seattle trauma center and was placed on a ventilator. The victim succumbed to her injuries on April 17, 2024. A King County Medical Examiner only recently ruled the cause of death a homicide.

Kirkland Police tracked Fox to a temporary residence in Bow. Working off an investigative lead from the U.S. Marshals Service Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force, and in conjunction with the Bow and Kirkland Police Departments, the NHJFTF executed a plan to safely capture Fox and secure any evidence associated with the ongoing investigation. Fox, who has a history of violent behavior, was arrested without incident and processed at the Bow Public Safety Center.

“We are grateful for the outstanding collaboration that led to the successful arrest, which would not have been possible without the exceptional teamwork and coordination between the U.S. Marshals and the Kirkland Washington Police detectives,” stated Bow Police Chief Ken Miller. “Their collective efforts ensured a smooth and incident-free operation, and we appreciate their dedication to upholding justice.”

Fox will be held without the possibility of bail at the Merrimack County Department of Corrections pending his extradition to Washington state. He will be arraigned at 11 a.m. tomorrow morning in the 6th Circuit District Division Concord Court on the fugitive from justice charge.

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

Source: US Marshals Service

Hartford, CT – The Connecticut U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force and Waterbury Police Department today arrested a Connecticut man wanted in West Virginia on sexual assault charges stemming from an incident in May 2000.

Tyron Jermaine Walker, 50, of Waterbury, is charged in Westover, West Virginia, with second-degree sexual assault.

May 23, 2000, a victim reported an incident of a sexual assault to the Westover Police Department, but investigators were not able to locate or identify the assailant. However, on Jan. 26, 2021, California authorities notified the Westover Police Department that their DNA evidence was associated with an offender in their database who was also a suspect from a sexual assault case in Montana, naming Walker as the suspect.

On June 30, 2023, a magistrate court in Monongalia County, West Virginia, issued an arrest warrant for Walker. Following the issuance of the arrest warrant the assistance of the U.S. Marshal Fugitive Task Force was requested.

The U.S Marshals’ investigation led them to a residence in the 2600 block of South Main Street in Waterbury, where Walker was apprehended this morning.

Walker was taken into custody, charged as a fugitive from justice, and is being held pending extradition to West Virginia to face the charges against him.

Since the inception of the U.S. Marshals – Connecticut Violent Fugitive Task Force in 1999, these partnerships have resulted in over 11,046 arrests (Updated as of 9/08/2022). The task force’s objective is to seek out and arrest violent fugitives and sexual predators. Membership agencies include Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, Norwalk, Waterbury Police Departments and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. These arrests have ranged in seriousness from murder, assault, unregistered sex offenders, probation and parole violations and numerous other serious offenses. Nationally the United States 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.