Category: US Marshals Service

Source: US Marshals Service

Cleveland, OH – Late this afternoon, members of the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) and the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department (CMHA PD) arrested Lorenzo Watson, 56.

Watson was wanted by numerous agencies in the Cleveland area:

• June 11th – CMHA PD, felonious assault shooting where Watson shot a male in the back with a sawed-off shotgun in the parking lot of an apartment building (male sustained serious injuries).
• June 12th – East Cleveland Police Department, felonious assault shooting where Watson shot a male in the stomach with a sawed-off shotgun (male still hospitalized).
• June 20th – Cleveland Heights Police Department, felonious assault where Watson beat a male in the head with a sledgehammer (male still hospitalized).
• June 22nd – U.S. Marshals Service, federal supervised release violations.
• June 22nd – U.S. Marshals Service, federal supervised release violations.

Yesterday afternoon, members of these law enforcement agencies held a press conference with Crimestoppers of Cuyahoga County to highlight the violence put forth in and around the city of Cleveland by Watson. An increase in reward money was offered due to the increasing violence by the suspect.

Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department and the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force followed up on tips that were called in after the press conference and this afternoon they were able to track Watson down to a home in the 1200 block of East 125th St. Watson attempted to hide in the attic of the home but eventually complied with officers when notice of a police K9 was made. Additionally, one female was arrested out of the home for active warrants through Cleveland

Police, and another was arrested by CMHA PD for obstruction of justice and attempting to hide Watson.

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “Crimestoppers of Cuyahoga County is an integral partner to all law enforcement agencies across Cuyahoga County. This suspect was a violent menace to our communities and with the help of Crimestoppers and the public he will be behind bars for a very long time.”

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 USMS 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

Source: US Marshals Service

Source: US Marshals Service

Columbus, OH – The U.S. Marshals Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST) and Columbus Division of Police SWAT located and arrested fugitive La’Chovin Wilson early this morning. Wilson was wanted by the Columbus Division of Police (CPD) in connection with a shooting that occurred on June 1, 2023. 

On July 6, 2023, an arrest warrant was issued by the Franklin County Municipal Court for Wilson charging him with Murder based on an investigation by the Columbus Division of Police. Wilson is alleged to have shot and killed Scott Darthard Jr., age 20, in the Hilltop area of Columbus on June 1st. SOFAST adopted the case, and their investigation led them to the 1400 block of Peach Blossom Court in Columbus where he was arrested by U.S. Marshals and CPD SWAT. Wilson was transported to the Franklin County Jail where we will remain pending his initial appearance in court. 

“The U.S. Marshals Service and our partners at the Columbus Division of Police are committed to bringing those who commit violent crimes to justice. Our collaboration with other law enforcement agencies and the ongoing sharing of information and resources continue to yield positive results for our community.” – Michael D. Black, United States Marshal, Southern District of Ohio. 

Columbus SOFAST is a fugitive-focused, U.S. Marshals Service-led task force consisting of local, state and federal authorities including the Columbus Division of Police, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Bexley Police Department, Cambridge Police Department, Capital University Police Department, Delaware County Probation Office, Hocking County Sheriff’s Office, Lancaster Police Department, Mount Vernon Police Department, Ohio Attorney General Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Ohio Division of State Fire Marshal, Office of Inspector General Social Security Administration, United States Secret Service, United States Attorney’s Office, Utica Police Department, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Whitehall Police Department, and Zanesville Police Department. 

Source: US Marshals Service

Cleveland, OH – The U.S. Marshals in Cleveland, OH and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in conjunction with the Cleveland Police Department (CPD), recovered Lidia Garrido (12) earlier this morning. Garrido was reported missing on July 15, 2023, after she disappeared from the 10600 block of Governor Ave in Cleveland. 
Garrido’s last known contact came this past Sunday when she reached out to family via social media stating she was with a boyfriend but did not disclose her location.

Earlier this morning, the U.S. Marshals Service in Baton Rouge, LA, along with the Baton Rouge Police Department, followed up on the investigation which led them to the 12500 block of La Margie Ave. in Baton Rouge. Garrido was recovered and turned over to local family service authorities.

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “The reach and cooperation of the USMS and our partners shines bright today. The fact this recovery happened so far from home, highlights the importance of this mission. We hope this young girl is quickly returned home.

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 – The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) and Ashtabula Police Department (APD), with the assistance of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), are trying to solve the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Donnell White Jr. White was reported as an endangered runaway to APD on August 10th, 1991. At the time of his disappearance, White was 14-years-old and living in the 900 block of W. 38th Street, Ashtabula, OH. There is conflicting information as to when he was last seen, however one of the last confirmed sightings was on a basketball court near his house several days before he was reported missing.

In 2020, detectives with APD renewed efforts to locate Donnell and enlisted the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Missing Child Unit. Since that time, investigators have followed up on leads and conducted interviews with witnesses from across the country. Donnell was primarily raised on the east side of Cleveland, in or around Warrensville Heights and North Randall, but was staying with his grandmother in Ashtabula at the time he went missing.

One of the challenges facing investigators is finding a good picture of Donnell. The photo published at the time of his disappearance was from several years earlier. Investigators are being told it’s not the best likeness of him, however no one has provided police with a more accurate photo. His picture, along with an age progressed photo created by NCMEC, were distributed in hopes of developing leads.

“Cold cases have unique challenges, but present unique opportunities. Unfortunately, endangered runaways weren’t investigated in 1991 as they are today. Records are difficult to find, potential witnesses may have moved or even passed away. On the other hand, we have people talking to investigators now who weren’t willing in 1991 and that has helped ignite life into the case” says U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott.

The U.S. Marshals are offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that helps solve the mystery of Donnell’s disappearance. Tipsters can remain anonymous and are being asked to call the below listed numbers.

U.S. Marshals Senior Inspector Bill Boldin stated, “We’ve identified the people closest to Donnell at the time he went missing. We are encouraging them to come forward and speak up. This child deserves to have his story told and we will not stop until that happens.”

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 USMS web tip. Reward money is available, and tipsters may remain anonymous. Follow the U.S. Marshals on Twitter @USMSCleveland.

Source: US Marshals Service

Atlanta, GA  –The U.S. Marshals Service and the Smyrna Police, with the assistance of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, have rescued an international missing child and facilitated the arrest of her kidnappers. The child has been returned to the U.S. and reunited with her custodial parent. The kidnappers are currently in custody, awaiting justice.

In April 2021 in Smyrna, Cobb County, Georgia, the 4-year-old girl was abducted by her non-custodial biological mother, Andrea McCord. On that day, McCord was participating in a supervised visit with the child. McCord took the child and, with the help of her boyfriend Custodio Guerra, fled. Arrest warrants were subsequently issued for McCord and Guerra. After the abduction, the Smyrna Police contacted the U.S. Marshals Service and requested assistance in recovering the kidnapped child and arresting the perpetrators.

The U.S. Marshals Service took the case. Utilizing their international and cross-jurisdictional abilities, advanced investigative tools, and long-established professional relationships—they located the victim and the kidnappers in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosi. On July 15, in the city of Rioverde, Mexican law enforcement arrested McCord and Guerra and safely recovered the child. The missing child and the kidnappers were immediately turned over to American authorities. On July 16, the child was reunited with her father.

About the investigation, arrest, and recovery, U.S. Marshal Thomas Brown said, “The United States Marshals Service takes our mission very seriously. We will never give up our search. When our state and local partners reach out for assistance, we are eager to answer the call. Helping the community and assisting the Smyrna Police is an honor. From the moment we took the case, we knew we would successfully rescue the child and bring the wrongdoers to justice. On July 15th, that day arrived. The U.S. Marshals will never stop. This young victim is now back where she belongs, in the arms of her father. The fugitives are where they belong, behind bars, awaiting their day in court.”

U.S. Marshals Service Southeastern Regional Fugitive Task Force Commander Jim Joyner said, “Every now and then, we get to replace the word CAPTURED at the end of an investigation with the word RECOVERED. Both words are hard-earned, but RECOVERED holds a special meaning for all of us. We are pleased and proud that we were able to be a part of the team that made this happen.”

The U.S. Marshals Service is the primary federal agency charged with conducting missing child recovery and fugitive investigations. The U.S. Marshals Service regularly works in concert with other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to seek out and arrest violent fugitives and sex offenders. The U.S. Marshals Service has established task forces throughout the nation, and professional relationships worldwide, to facilitate the apprehension of fugitives.

Source: US Marshals Service

Source: US Marshals Service

Washington, DC – U.S. Marshals Service Director Ronald L. Davis announces the agency’s first Senior Advisor for State and Local Law Enforcement Partnerships. Melissa Hyatt, former chief of the Baltimore County Police Department (BCoPD) and 20 plus year veteran of the City of Baltimore Police Department (BPD), will focus on increasing and strengthening the vital relationships between the U.S. Marshals and their local, state, and tribal law enforcement partners.  

“Our collaboration with local, state and tribal partners is key to the operations and successes of the U.S Marshals Service in public safety and national security,” said USMS Director Ronald L. Davis.  “We are very pleased that Chief Hyatt has joined our team. She is a nationally recognized law enforcement leader who brings with her a wealth of knowledge and skills that will serve U.S. Marshals well in this new role.

In June 2019, Hyatt was unanimously confirmed by Baltimore County Council as the BCoPD’s first female police chief, where she served until December 2022. She previously served as the vice president for security for Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Medicine. Hyatt graduated from the University of Delaware in 1997 and was one of the inaugural recruits to the Maryland Police Corps, a federal effort to enlist college students to law enforcement.  She moved up the BPD ranks, serving on the bicycle unit squad, mobile enforcement team and SWAT. She became the first female sergeant on a BPD tactical team, coordinating operations at hostage and barricade scenes.

“The Marshals Service, as the nation’s oldest federal law enforcement agency, has a great reputation of working closely with its law enforcement partners,” Hyatt said. “It is my sincere hope that l can use the lessons I learned as chief of police to help the Marshals enhance their collaborative efforts across local and state law enforcement to continue to make all of our communities safer.”

The U.S. Marshals Service was created Sept. 24, 1789, with the passage of the Judiciary Act by Congress.

The USMS mission is to enforce federal laws and provide support to virtually all elements of the federal justice system by providing for the security of federal court facilities and the safety of judges and other court personnel; apprehending criminals; exercising custody of federal prisoners and providing for their security and transportation to correctional facilities; executing federal court orders; seizing assets gained by illegal means and providing for the custody, management, and disposal of forfeited assets; assuring the safety of endangered government witnesses and their families; and collecting and disbursing funds.

Presidentially appointed U.S. Marshals direct the activities of 94 districts — one for each federal judicial district. More than 3,752 Deputy Marshals and Criminal Investigators form the backbone of the agency.

Source: US Marshals Service