Category: US Marshals Service

Source: US Marshals Service

Houston, TX – This afternoon, members of the U.S. Marshals led Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Fugitive Task Force (GCVOFTF) arrested John Booth, 47.  Booth was wanted by the Cleveland Division of Police for aggravated murder.  

On March 13, 2024, officers from the Cleveland Division of Police, 5th District, responded to an address in the 5800 block of Prosser Ave., Cleveland, Ohio for a non-responsive female. When officers arrived, they discovered Tosha Williams, 45, deceased in her bed with a gunshot wound to the neck. According to police, she was discovered by her 9-year-old child. John Booth was later identified as being involved in the deadly shooting incident and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

An investigation into the whereabouts of Booth was initiated by the U.S. Marshals led – Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF), and this week information was developed that indicated Booth had fled Ohio to the Houston, Texas area. This afternoon, members of the GCVOFTF in Houston arrested Booth at an address located in the 8200 block of Koman Road, Houston, Texas.

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “Sadly, the senseless incident this fugitive is being accused of left a child without a mother. Hopefully the arrest today will bring her one step closer to receiving justice for her mother’s death.”

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

Source: US Marshals Service

Gallatin, TN – A U.S. Marshals task force in Tennessee, working a collateral lead from the USMS in Georgia, arrested a man wanted in Cobb County, Georgia for a slew of felony charges.

Darzell Thaddeus Wester, 27, was charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault (deadly weapon), aggravated battery, exploitation/ intimidation of elder person, and possession of a firearm during commission of a crime, and a warrant for his arrest was issued in the Superior Court of Cobb County on Jun. 14, 2024.

On Nov. 15, 2024, the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office requested the assistance of the U. S.  Marshals Service Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force with locating and apprehending Wester.

Upon developing information that Wester was residing in the Gallatin area, the Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force requested the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service Middle Tennessee Fugitive Task Force.

The Middle Tennessee Task Force located Wester at a residence on Turner Way in Gallatin. Wester was arrested without incident and taken to the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office jail where he was booked as a fugitive from justice and will await extradition to Georgia.

Additionally, Wester has three outstanding warrants from Coffee, Robertson, and Dickson Counties in Tennessee. These warrants are for driving under the influence of alcohol, larceny, and fraud, respectively.

The U.S. Marshals Service is committed to protecting communities by apprehending dangerous fugitives.

The U.S. Marshals Middle Tennessee Task Force is a multi-agency task force that serves the Middle District of Tennessee. Its membership is comprised of Deputy U.S. Marshals, Putnam, Rutherford, and Sumner County Sheriff’s Deputies, Metro Nashville Police Officers, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and Tennessee Department of Correction Special Agents, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

Source: US Marshals Service

Garfield Heights, OH – This afternoon, members of the U.S. Marshals led Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) arrested Oturi Germany, 46 and Oturiana Germany, 28.  Oturi Germany was wanted by the Cleveland Division of Police for aggravated murder. Oturiana Germany was wanted by the Barberton Police Department for felonious assault.

On January 10, 2025, officers from the Cleveland Division Police, 3rd District, located a deceased male inside a storage room in the basement of an apartment building located in the 2100 block of E. 78th Street, Cleveland, Ohio. The male victim had suffered a gunshot wound to his back. Oturi Germany was later identified as a suspect in this fatal incident and a warrant for aggravated murder was issued for his arrest.

On February 17, 2025, a male was shot three times at the Washington Square Apartments in Barberton, Ohio. The male victim suffered three non-life-threatening gun shot wounds. The Barberton Police Department identified Oturiana Germany as a suspect in the shooting and a warrant was issued for her arrest.

This afternoon, members of the NOVFTF arrested both Oturi and Oturiana Germany inside a vehicle near the 5100 block of E. 117th Street, Garfield Heights, Ohio. Two firearms were located during the arrest and seized by officers on scene.

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “Thankfully, no one was hurt during the arrest and our task force was able to take two violent fugitives and firearms off the street today. Our task force is comprised of outstanding officers who are highly trained, which results in safe arrests like the ones today in Garfield Heights.”

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

Concord, NH – Early this morning, members of the United States Marshals Service (USMS), District of New Hampshire Joint Fugitive Task Force, in conjunction with the Merrimack County Sheriff’s Office, and the Chiefs of Police from the Alexandria, Andover, and Hill Police Departments arrested a suspected weapons thief on Bunker Hill Road in Hill.  Justin Travis (43) was apprehended on a warrant from the 6th District Court – Concord, for burglary at night and theft of firearms.  These charges stem from the theft of firearms from a Canterberry home last year. 

Travis was also arrested on a Grafton County Superior Court warrant for non-appearance in court. The original charges for Travis were failure to appear for forced entry, burglary, and felon in possession.  Travis was taken into custody without further incident and transported to Merrimack County Department of Corrections.  He will receive a bail hearing on February 18, 2025..

Following the arrest of Justin Travis, the USMS Task Force and Rockingham County Sheriff’s Deputies developed information that two other wanted fugitives were in the Sea Coast area of the state.  Recent law enforcement reports claimed that Michael Rand (39) and Abdul Rodriguez (48) both had access to firearms and made credible claims to use them for the purpose of preventing apprehension.

Rand was wanted for violating federal supervised release conditions stemming from a 2022 conviction for distribution of fentanyl in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire.  Rand was released in October 2022 and arrested the following December for violating federal supervision requirements.  Rand served two years in prison as a result. The current warrant was issued after multiple release condition violations were noted in an October 2024 report.  Also noted, Rand made statements to federal officials that he would not go back to jail willingly.  Rand was spotted leaving a hotel in western Portsmouth and subsequently taken into custody during a motor vehicle stop on the Spaulding Turnpike.

Immediately following the arrest of Rand, the Task Force and Rockingham County Deputies responded to a house on Mill Street in Rochester to arrest Abdul Rodriguez. Upon approach to the house, Rodriguez was seen attempting to flee out a rear window. Rodriguez retreated to the basement of the dwelling, but he eventually surrendered to officers inside the home.  Rodriguez was also taken to Strafford County Department of Corrections (DOC) to answer for a state parole warrant.  According to his violation report, Rodriguez absconded from supervision ordered by the court in relation to multiple drug conviction in 2015.  Rodriguez has a significant criminal history that includes unlicensed concealed firearms, distribution of narcotics, resisting arrest and falsifying reports.  

The USMS New Hampshire Joint Fugitive Task Force was formed in fall of 2002 and is headquartered in the USMS office in Concord. The task force coordinates federal, state, county, and local resources to develop leads, gather intelligence, track and apprehend targeted fugitives. Rockingham, Strafford and Merrimack County Sheriff’s Offices, as well as the Nashua and Greenfield Police Departments provide invaluable support to USMS fugitive operations in New Hampshire.

Source: US Marshals Service

Omaha, NE – The U.S. Marshals Omaha Metro Fugitive Task Force has arrested a man wanted on multiple warrants issued in Georgia.

Patrick Lamar Edwards, 26, was wanted in Rockdale County, Georgia, on outstanding warrants for aggravated assault with a firearm, terroristic threats, and entering a stolen vehicle. These charges stem from a shooting that occurred in Conyers, Georgia, on May 15, 2024.

Acting on information provided by the Conyers Police Department and the Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force, U.S. Marshals determined that Edwards had recently relocated to the Omaha area after evading authorities for several months. Investigators traced Edwards to a residence near the intersection of North 36th Street and Crown Point Avenue.

As Task Force members moved in to execute the arrest, Edwards attempted to flee but was quickly apprehended at a neighboring property.

Edwards was subsequently booked into Douglas County Corrections, where he will remain pending extradition to Georgia.

Source: US Marshals Service

Cleveland, OH – Today, members of the U.S. Marshals led, Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) arrested Shashawn Atkinson, 23, Atkinson was wanted by the Cleveland Division of Police for aggravated murder.

According to the Cleveland Division of Police, on August 3, 2024, officers of the 5th District responded to a radio assignment for a fight in progress at an address in the 1000 block of E. 72nd Street in Cleveland. When officers arrived, they located 22-year-old Anthony Williams, who had suffered fatal gunshot wounds and 24-year-old Antwoine Sandford, who had suffered a gunshot wound to the chest.

Jamelle Swanson, 24, was identified as a suspect in this fatal shooting incident and a warrant was issued for his arrest. On January 3, 2025, members of the NOVFTF arrested Swanson outside of an apartment located in the 10300 block of Miles Ave, Cleveland, Ohio. Shashawn Atkinson, 23, was also later identified as being involved in the shooting and a warrant for aggravated murder was issued for his arrest. Today, members of the NOVFTF arrested Atkinson at an address in the 2800 block of E. 124th Street, Cleveland, Ohio.

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “Outstanding work was done by the Cleveland Division of Police homicide unit on this investigation. Their investigation led to the identification of these suspects and then our fugitive task force worked relentlessly to track down and arrest the second suspect today.”

Anyone with information concerning any 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

Austin, TX – Members of the U.S. Marshals (USMS) Lone Star Fugitive Task Force (LSFTF) continued their work of making Austin neighborhoods safer by apprehending three capital murder suspects on Wednesday.

The Austin Police Department (APD) requested assistance from the LSFTF to locate and apprehend three suspects sought on capital murder charges from an incident that occurred May 4, 2024, in the 1800 block of Colony Creek Drive in Austin, where a male victim was located lying face down from an apparent gunshot wound. 

The APD Homicide Unit investigated the incident and identified three suspects who allegedly conspired and acted with one another to commit the murder. 

On Feb. 7, the Homicide Unit obtained warrants on three suspects in the City of Austin Municipal Court and requested assistance from the LSFTF – Austin Division to locate and apprehend the three suspects who were last known to reside in the city. 

Members of the LSFTF continued investigative efforts with the Austin Police Department Tactical Intelligence Unit that led to the apprehension of three suspects, who were considered armed and dangerous. 

Aden Munoz, Aka, “Jermiah”, 18, of Austin, was arrested on in the 1900 block of Hearthside Drive in Austin.

Bethany Libby, Aka, “Sista Grace”, 37, of Austin, was arrested in the 7900 block of San Felipe Boulevard in Austin.

Michael Carter, Aka, “Kujo”, 23, of Austin, was arrested in the 900 block of Bedford Street in Austin. 

All suspects have been transported and transferred to the Austin Police Department.

Members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force in Austin:

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

Source: US Marshals Service

Austin, TX – Members of the U.S. Marshals (USMS) Lone Star Fugitive Task Force (LSFTF) continued their work of making Austin neighborhoods safer by apprehending three capital murder suspects on Wednesday.

The Austin Police Department (APD) requested assistance from the LSFTF to locate and apprehend three suspects sought on capital murder charges from an incident that occurred May 4, 2024, in the 1800 block of Colony Creek Drive in Austin, where a male victim was located lying face down from an apparent gunshot wound. 

The APD Homicide Unit investigated the incident and identified three suspects who allegedly conspired and acted with one another to commit the murder. 

On Feb. 7, the Homicide Unit obtained warrants on three suspects in the City of Austin Municipal Court and requested assistance from the LSFTF – Austin Division to locate and apprehend the three suspects who were last known to reside in the city. 

Members of the LSFTF continued investigative efforts with the Austin Police Department Tactical Intelligence Unit that led to the apprehension of three suspects, who were considered armed and dangerous. 

Aden Munoz, Aka, “Jermiah”, 18, of Austin, was arrested on in the 1900 block of Hearthside Drive in Austin.

Bethany Libby, Aka, “Sista Grace”, 37, of Austin, was arrested in the 7900 block of San Felipe Boulevard in Austin.

Michael Carter, Aka, “Kujo”, 23, of Austin, was arrested in the 900 block of Bedford Street in Austin. 

All suspects have been transported and transferred to the Austin Police Department.

Members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force in Austin:

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

Source: US Marshals Service

Philadelphia, PA — Members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force have arrested Mark Wills, 60, in Bridgeport, West Virginia. Wills was wanted by the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office for manufacturing and dissemination of child sexual abuse materials to children 13 and under. Over the past year. Wills is accused of manufacturing hundreds of videos of child sexual abuse material and sharing them online. The children Wills is accused of victimizing are believed to be throughout the United States and Canada. On February 6th, a warrant was issued for Will’s arrest, and the case was delegated to the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force in Philadelphia. 

On February 13th, investigators from the Marshals Fugitive Task Force in Philadelphia developed information Wills was presently in West Virginia. At approximately 8:00 p.m. Deputy Marshals from the Clarksburg office located Wills at the Meadowbrook Mall in Bridgeport, West Virginia. Wills was approached by Deputies and apprehended without incident. Wills is being held without bond at North Central Regional jail in Doddridge County where he awaits extradition to Bucks County.  

“Every child deserves a safe environment, and the arrest of Mark Wills demonstrates the U.S Marshals Service commitment to protecting the innocent” said Robert Clark, Supervisory Deputy Marshal for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

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, Bucks County Sheriff’s Office, and Delaware County Sheriff’s Office.