Category: US Marshals Service

Source: US Marshals Service

Painesville, OH – United States Marshal Pete Elliott and Lake County Sheriff Frank Leonbruno announce the successful completion of Operation Washout in Lake County.  

Operation Washout was a six weeklong operation focused in Lake County in an attempt to bring down drug related violence and overdose incidences throughout the county.

Investigative and enforcement resources from the United States Marshals Service (USMS) were used to reduce crime by working in collaboration with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners.  The operation targeted violent felony warrants, to include offenses that have an illegal narcotic distribution or possession nexus. The operation also targeted individuals wanted for crimes related to narcotic trafficking such as homicide, robbery, sex offenses, felonious assault and firearm violations.

Sheriff Frank Leonbruno stated, “Operation Washout was a tremendous success and made a significant impact in finding some our most wanted persons throughout Lake County.  The cooperation we have working with the United States Marshal Service helps to ensure we are able to meet the safety and security needs of our citizens to help ensure that Lake County is the best place to build a home, create a business, and raise your family.”

During the course of the six weeklong operation, 61 warrants were closed after arrests by the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF), its partner agencies or other law enforcement agencies in the area.  Six known gang members were arrested during the operation and one firearm was recovered. 

Notable arrests during the operation include Tyrese Johnson and Brianna Johnson, both wanted by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for manslaughter, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, tampering with evidence, corrupting another with drugs, and drug trafficking. This investigation began with the Mentor Police Department after two overdose deaths that occurred in April of 2024. Tyrese Johnson was arrested on April 9th, at his residence in the 600 block of River Street, Grand River. Brianna Johnson was arrested on that same date at her residence in the 1400 block of East 175th Street, Cleveland.

Additionally, Cortez Hopper who was wanted by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for illegal manufacture of drugs was also arrested during the operation. Fugitive investigation led the NOVFTF to believe that Hopper was in Steubenville, OH. In addition to the charges in Lake County, Hopper was a suspect in an investigation where he was distributing cocaine in Steubenville. Members of the local police department were unable to identify Hopper until information was sent to their area in connection with the fugitive investigation. Hopper was arrested on April 4 with assistance of the Northern District of West Virginia, Wheeling. 

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “Outstanding and longstanding partnerships are what make operations such as this so successful.  When agencies work towards the same goals, success like this is inevitable.  The Lake County Sheriff’s Office, local police departments, and the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force are all committed to the safety of the communities we serve.”

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 X @USMSCleveland.

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force –  Painesville Division is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies:  U.S. Marshals Service, Eastlake Police Department, Willowick Police Department, Willoughby Police Department, Willoughby Hills Police Department, Wickliffe Police Department, Mentor Police Department, Mentor-on-the-lake Police Department, Painesville Police Department, Lake County Sheriff’s Department, Geauga County Sheriff’s Department, Ashtabula Police Department, Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Middlefield Police Department, Lake County Narcotics, Chester Township Police Department, Kirtland Police Department, and Madison Village Police Department.

Source: US Marshals Service

Henderson County, TN – On May 19, 2025, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) arrested Dawson Maness for Felony Reckless Endangerment against a law enforcement officer.

On May 16, 2025, a State Trooper with the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) met a white Chevrolet truck traveling left of center of the roadway in Henderson County, TN. The Trooper was forced to run off the road to avoid a collision with the truck. When the Trooper activated his emergency equipment, the truck fled the scene in a reckless manner, endangering the lives of others. An investigation by the THP determined that Dawson Maness was the driver.

The USMS Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force in Jackson was asked to assist in finding and apprehending Maness. This morning, deputy marshals and task force officers went to Maness’ residence on Bargerton Road in Lexington, TN and took him into custody.

This was not the task force’s first encounter with Maness. He was released from jail on bond for a December 2024, incident where he is alleged to have shot and struck a FedEx delivery truck during a road rage incident in Jackson, TN. The Jackson Police Department charged him with Attempted First-Degree Murder and Felony Reckless Endangerment. The USMS subsequently arrested him at his home on January 22, 2025, for those charges.

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

Charleston, WV — A U.S. Marshals Southern District of West Virginia CUFFED (Cops United Felony Fugitive Enforcement Division) Task Force two-week warrant operation has resulted in 40 felony arrests.

During Operation Shake Down, conducted from May 5 -16, law enforcement officers also recovered 40 grams of methamphetamine, 1 oz of fentanyl, and five firearms.

The wanted subjects had a wide range of felony warrants to include kidnapping, sexual assault, soliciting a minor via computer, possession with intent to deliver and distribute controlled substances, armed robbery, weapons offenses, child neglect causing risk of injury, burglary, and failure to register as a sex offender.

Significant arrests include:

Christopher Spaulding, 53, of Ripley, wanted out of Jackson County for possession with intent to deliver controlled substances and felon in possession of a firearm. Spaulding was also wanted in the Southern District of West Virginia on a federal supervised release violation. Spaulding’s underlying federal conviction is felon in possession of firearms.

Kirk Donovan Thomas, 36, of Charleston, wanted for failure to register as a sex offender, has been evading apprehension since 2023 from the West Virginia State Police. Thomas was also wanted on a circuit court capias warrant out of Putnam County. Since Thomas’s arrest, the West Virginia State Police has charged Thomas with additional counts of failure to register as a sex offender in Kanawha County.

Dwayne Edward White Jr., 27, of Ripley, wanted in Jackson County for delivery of methamphetamine. White has self-proclaimed gang affiliations. 

David Argueta-Marquez, 29, of Lyburn, wanted out of Harris County, Texas, for aggravated kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault of a child. Argueta-Marquez was arrested in Kimper, Kentucky, by U.S. Marshals task force members. Argueta-Marquez is also under investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s and is an alleged member of the 18th Street Gang in El Salvador.

Two individuals were also federally indicted from U.S. Marshals Service investigations. 

Ronald Tinsley, 52, of Charleston, was indicted by a federal grand jury for escape. Tinsley is alleged to have escaped from Bureau of Prisons custody March 19. 

Charles Clement, 42, of Hillsboro, was indicted by a federal grand jury for violations of the Adam Walsh Act. Clement, a sex offender, is alleged to having failed to register as a sex offender after moving to the state of West Virginia and establishing residency. 

Both men are currently incarcerated.   

“I would like to thank our partner agencies across Southern West Virginia for dedicating officers to the CUFFED Task Force,” said Michael T. Baylous, U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of West Virginia.  “Their commitment and dedication have allowed the CUFFED Task Force to become one of the most efficient and effective in the country at apprehending fugitives.”   

U.S. Marshals task forces combine the efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate and arrest the most dangerous fugitives. They also serve as the central point for agencies to share information on fugitive matters. Task force officers are state and local police officers who receive special deputations with the Marshals. While on a task force, these officers can exercise U.S. Marshals authorities, such as crossing jurisdictional lines.

Agencies involved in operation included:

U.S. Marshals CUFFED Task Force
U.S. Marshals Central Kentucky Fugitive Task Force
West Virginia State Police
Kentucky State Police
Fayette County Sheriff’s Office
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office
Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office
Logan County Sheriff’s Office
Mason County Sheriff’s Office
Mingo County Sheriff’s Office
Putnam County Sheriff’s Office
Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office
Parkersburg Police Department
Saint Albans Police Department
South Charleston Police Department 

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.