Category: US Marshals Service

Source: US Marshals Service

Denver, CO – The U.S. Marshals Service Colorado Violent Offender Task Force located and arrested a Lakewood homicide suspect Wednesday night in Colorado Springs. 

Philix Baca, 20, is wanted by the Lakewood Police Department (LPD) on a felony arrest warrant for first-degree murder in connection to the April 13, 2024 shooting death of a 14-year-old male in Lakewood. A warrant for Baca’s arrest was issued on April 15, 2024. In the days following the homicide, multiple co-defendants were apprehended, but Baca fled and had been on the run since.

On Wednesday, Task Force Officers (TFOs) from LPD’s Special Enforcement Team (SET) who are assigned to the U.S. Marshals Service’s Colorado Violent Offender Task Force (COVOTF) in Denver developed information indicating Baca may be in the Colorado Springs area. The LPD TFOs joined Deputy U.S. Marshals in Colorado Springs as well as other COVOTF TFOs from the Fountain Police Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to set up a surveillance operation. While conducting surveillance, a person matching Baca’s description was observed exiting a vehicle and going inside a residence in the 5000 block of Whimsical Drive in Colorado Springs. COVOTF investigators then obtained a search warrant for the residence.

Due to the violent nature of the case and the potential of the suspect being armed, COVOTF investigators requested assistance from the Colorado Springs Police Department’s Tactical Enforcement Unit (TEU) in contacting the residence. CSPD TEU executed the search warrant at the residence and Baca was safely taken into custody. 

Baca was transported to the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center where he was booked on the outstanding homicide warrant.

The success of this arrest represents a culmination of extensive cooperative investigative efforts between the Lakewood Police Department, U.S. Marshals Colorado Violent Offender Task Force, Colorado Springs Police Department, Fountain Police Department, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 

The Colorado Violent Offender Task Force 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.         

Tips can be submitted to the U.S. Marshals Service directly and anonymously by downloading the USMS Tips app to your Apple or Android device. You can also follow the latest news and updates about the U.S. Marshals Service on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter); @USMarshalsHQ or @USMSDenver.

Source: US Marshals Service

Milwaukee, WI – The 128th Air Refueling Wing partnered with the U.S. Marshals Service and the Milwaukee Police Department to conduct a two-day combined training event, April 16–17, 2025, on base at General Mitchell Air National Guard Base.

The joint training brought together 128 ARW Security Forces personnel and local law enforcement agencies for a series of advanced tactical exercises designed to strengthen interagency coordination, improve tactical response, and enhance mission readiness across all organizations involved. The event was led by instructors from the U.S. Marshals Service and featured realistic, hands-on training scenarios.

Training events kicked off inside one of the Wing’s aircraft hangars with vehicle operations, where teams practiced high-risk vehicle approaches, tactical maneuvers, and suspect extraction techniques in confined spaces. The realistic environment allowed both military and civilian law enforcement personnel to work side by side, learning and refining techniques for use in operational settings.

The second portion of the training focused on vehicle ballistics using paint rounds. This exercise provided participants with a safe but realistic simulation of weapons engagement around vehicles, emphasizing the effectiveness of cover, angles of fire, and decision-making under pressure.

The final segment took place in an open-air environment and included instruction on coordinated movement, suspect pursuit and apprehension, and communication strategies between agencies. The training highlighted the importance of interoperability and real-time decision-making in complex, evolving situations.

“Joint training events like this one with the Wisconsin Air National Guard allows our agency to utilize additional training venues and strengthen inter-agency relationships that enhance community law enforcement initiatives,” said Anna Ruzinski, U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. “We are very grateful to the WI ANG for their support in providing an excellent training location and the opportunity to collaborate with their security forces personnel, as well as for support from the city of Cudahy Emergency Medical Services in conducting a realistic medical response scenario.”

Source: US Marshals Service

Austin, TX – Members of the U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force continued their work of removing violent criminals from the greater Austin area by apprehending seven murder suspects in a 10-day time span from May 6-15.

The Austin Police Department Homicide Unit requested assistance from the LSFTF to locate and apprehend six suspects sought on charges of murder and capital murder.

A juvenile suspect sought for capital murder was arrested May 6 in the 2500 block of South Congress Avenue for a homicide that occurred March 9 in the 2300 block of Douglas Street. 

Jalen Hemphill, aka, “Jay”, 21, of Jarrell was arrested May 7 in the 10400 block of Burnet Road in Austin. Hemphill was wanted on a murder charge stemming from an October 2023 shooting in the 1700 block of Burnet Road.

Two juvenile suspects wanted on capital murder charges stemming from a homicide May 3 in the 5400 block of Ross Road in Austin were arrested May 8 in the 100 block of Chihuahua Drive in Del Valle. 

Kent Outten, aka “K.O.,” 31, of Austin was arrested May 13 in the 6000 block of E. 7th Street following a foot-pursuit. Outten was wanted on a murder charge stemming from a March 31 shooting incident in the 400 block of North Interstate Highway 35 Northbound Service Road.

Darius Sebastain Hatcher, 26, of Manor was arrested May 14 in the 2000 block of South Interstate Highway 35 Frontage Road in Round Rock. Hatcher was charged with capital murder of multiple persons following the shooting deaths April 20 of two men outside an apartment complex in the 2600 block of Aldrich Street.

The Williamson County Sheriffs Office requested assistance from the LSFTF to apprehend Bradley Stone Puckett, 20, of Georgetown. Puckett was a suspect in a homicide that occurred April 25 in the 20100 block of McShepherd Road in Georgetown. LSFTF arrested Puckett May 15 in the 1100 block of West Dittmar Road.  

The LSFTF’s apprehension of these violent fugitives was conducted with vital assistance from the Austin Police Department’s Air Support and K-9 Divisions and continued support from all members of the LSFTF combined intelligence. 

All suspects have been transported and booked into Travis County and Williamson County jails where they await their judicial proceedings.

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

Memphis, TN – On May 14, 2025, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) in the Western District of Tennessee and the District of Arizona joined to arrest Jerry Scott, 35, for multiple sex-related crimes, including assaulting a minor.

On November 17, 2021, Shelby County issued an arrest warrant for Jerry Scott for the offenses of Rape of a Child, Aggravated Sexual Battery, and Incest.

On May 8, 2025, at the request of the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office, the fugitive case was adopted by USMS Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force (TRVFTF) in Memphis.

The fugitive investigation revealed that Scott was in Tucson, Arizona. The TRVFTF coordinated with the USMS Arizona Wanted Task Force, which operates in the Tucson area. On May 14, 2025, the Arizona Task Force located Scott in Tucson and arrested him without incident. At the time of this release, he awaits extradition to Shelby County, Tennessee.

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

Newport News, VA – The U.S. Marshals Service Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force (CARFTF) April 30 arrested in Newport News a fugitive wanted on sexual assault charges.

Mateo Juan Nicolas, 24, is alleged to have used force in the rape a minor in a vehicle April 25 in Greene County.

Greene County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from CARFTF April 28 in locating and arresting Nicolas, who is originally from Guatemala.

CARFTF arrested Nicolas without incident at the intersection of 36th Street and Jefferson Avenue.  

He was transported to the city jail in Newport News and booked on the active warrants.  

Since 2004, the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force has focused resources and efforts on the enhancement of public safety and the reduction of violence within the National Capital Region, through the identification, investigation, and apprehension of fugitives wanted for egregious crimes against the community, while ensuring the equal application of Justice, Integrity, and Service for all.

Source: US Marshals Service

Washington, DC – The U.S. Marshals Service awarded four purple heart commendations to the families of four officers who died in the line of duty in a formal ceremony yesterday.

The families of Deputy United States Marshal Thomas M. Weeks Jr., Task Force Officers Samuel Poloche and William Alden Elliott, and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Officer Joshua Eyer were presented the posthumous awards during a ceremony at U.S. Marshals Service Headquarters in Arlington, Va. The four officers died in the line of duty on April 29, 2024, when a suspect opened fire on law enforcement officers serving an arrest warrant in Charlotte, N.C. Accompanying the families in attendance were Pamela Bondi, U.S. Attorney General; Todd Blanche, Deputy Attorney General; Mark Pittella, U.S. Marshals Service Director (Acting) and the Reverend Salvatore Criscuolo Monsignor of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Washington, D.C. Remarks were given by Attorney General Bondi and Director Pittella, along with music from the U.S. Marshals Service Pipes and Drums band and singer Lauryn Smith.

Attorney General Bondi said, “We acknowledge that no medal can ever fully express the eternal gratitude we have for you and your families. Thank you for your courage and strength; you are each a part of the Department of Justice; you will always be a part of our family and the U.S. Marshals’ family, and we will always be here to support you.”

“We carry forth the legacies of these men by remembering not only how they died but also how they lived; with courage, compassion and a profound sense of duty. Your legacies set a higher standard of service, courage and integrity,” said Director Pittella.

Imagery from the ceremony can be viewed here.

Source: US Marshals Service

New York, NY – Deputies and Task Force Officers from the U.S. Marshals NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force today apprehended a juvenile suspect wanted for fatally shooting a 16-year-old girl in the Bronx Monday.

The NY/NJ RFTF adopted the case today. Deputy U.S. Marshals of the Southern District of New York, along with Task Force Officers of the NYPD from the NY/NJ RFTF, quickly developed information through sources regarding the suspect’s whereabouts and set up surveillance in the vicinity of the 900 block of Rev James A. Polite Avenue in the Bronx.

The juvenile suspect was observed attempting to get to the rear of the building and was immediately taken into custody. Surveillance footage showed a fight break out between a group of teens outside Bronx Latin School Monday afternoon.

The 14-year-old suspect was punched in the face and knocked to the ground by another boy.  At some point, someone slipped the suspect a pistol, and he is alleged to have fired three shots into the crowd, hitting the girl, an innocent bystander, in the head.

“Today, we have arrested a suspect in the shooting that tragically took the life of an innocent young girl,” said Jhovanny Gomez, U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of New York. “This senseless act deeply affected our community. With the suspect now in custody, we’re confident justice will be served. I commend the tireless efforts of the U.S. Marshals NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force, the Southern District of New York, and our state and local partners for bringing this case to a close.”

The NY/NJ RFTF began operations in April 2002 and was the first regional fugitive task force to become fully operational following the Presidential Threat Protection Act of 2000. The NY/NJ RFTF was the flagship that allowed seven other regional fugitive task forces to be created across the country. With partnership agreements with over 90 federal, state, or local agencies and 13 fully operational offices, the NY/NJ RFTF has successfully apprehended over 95,000 fugitives since inception.

Source: US Marshals Service

Canton, OH – The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) is seeking the public’s assistance in locating and arresting Demetres Givens (42) and Jamie Thompson (37). Givens and Thompson are wanted by the Canton Police Department for involuntary manslaughter and endangering children.

On May 5, Canton Police responded to a home in the 3100 block of Gilbert Circle NE for a report of a child that was found in bed not breathing. The child was later pronounced at the hospital. Givens is described as a black male, 5’11”, 155 pounds. Thompson is described as a white female, 5’3’’, 180 pounds.

Demetres Givens

Jamie Thompson

 Anyone with information concerning Givens and Thompson can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833). You can also 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

Cleveland, OH – The U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) in conjunction with the U.S. Marshals Office of International Operations (OIO) arrested Robert John Flynn (77) in Garfield Heights, OH. Flynn is accused and charged in the United Kingdom with eight (8) counts of indecent assault of a child, in violation of section 15 of the United Kingdom’s Sexual Offenses Act of 1956. Flynn has been wanted since August of 2022.

This case began after information was developed by USMS OIO, placing Flynn in the Cleveland, OH area. The NOVFTF was able to investigate and locate Flynn in Garfield Heights. Flynn was then charged in the Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, pursuant to the extradition treaty between the U.S. and the United Kingdom. This charge will facilitate his extradition back to the United Kingdom to face the charges. 

Earlier today, the NOVFTF was able to locate and arrest Flynn in the 6100 block of Turney Rd. in Garfield Heights, OH. Flynn will appear in Federal Court to face the extradition charge. 

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott said “Our mission of tracking, locating and arresting sexual predators is essential to keeping our communities safe. There is no better example than the arrest today. We are proud of the work our of agency and team serving this mission and hope the victim(s) in this case can find solace with our arrest.”

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

Cleveland, OH – This week, the U.S. Marshals led Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) arrested Jaylin Tyler, 20, Anthony Ortiz, 28, and Quinterious Parker, 23. Tyler was wanted by the Toledo Police Department for aggravated murder, Ortiz was wanted by the Cleveland Police Department for aggravated murder, and Parker was wanted by the Mobile Police Department for murder.

On January 6, 2025, officers with the Toledo Police Department responded to the Boulder Creek Apartments near Arlington and South Byrne for a “shots fired” call for service. When officers arrived on scene they located Derrick Rogers, 18, who had suffered fatal gunshot wounds. Jaylin Tyler was later identified as being involved in this deadly incident and a warrant was issued for his arrest. On May 6, members of the NOVFTF in Toledo arrested Tyler at a residence in the 5100 block of Secor Road, Toledo, Ohio.

On September 28, 2024, officers with the Cleveland Division of Police – 4th District, responded to the 800 block of E. 134th Street for a burnt-out vehicle. When officers arrived, they located the burnt-out vehicle and a deceased body inside the vehicle. Anthony Ortiz was later identified as being involved in this incident and a warrant was issued for his arrest. On May 7, members of the NOVFTF in Cleveland arrested Ortiz at a residence in the 5400 block of Hollywood Ave., Maple Heights, Ohio.

On April 12, 2025, Frenicka Craig, 28, was shot and killed at a park in the 2900 block of Dauphin Street, Mobile, Alabama. Since the incident, 5 individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident. Yesterday, Quinterious Parker was arrested by the NOVFTF at a hotel in 11000 block of Milan Road, Milan, Ohio.

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “Each and every day, members of our task force pursue wanted, dangerous fugitives. This week, in three consecutive days and in three different cities in northern Ohio, our task force was investigating and arresting fugitives wanted for violent offenses.”

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.