Category: US Marshals Service

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U.S. Marshals Capture Federal Halfway House Escapee in Binghamton

Source: US Marshals Service

Albany, NY – Members of the U.S. Marshal’s New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force (NY/NJ RFTF) – Binghamton Division arrested on Nov. 21 a woman who was wanted by the U.S. Marshals in Albany on an arrest warrant for escaping from federal custody.

Jade Pittsley was under the supervision of the Federal Bureau of Prisons and was afforded an opportunity to complete the final portion of her sentence at a halfway house in Albany to assist in her reentry to the community.  The BOP reported on Nov. 16 that Pittsley failed to return to the facility and was subsequently placed in an escape status.

On Nov. 17, U.S. Marshals in Albany obtained an arrest warrant, charging Pittsley with escape from federal custody.

On Nov. 21, investigators developed information that Pittsley was in the Binghamton area, and task force members from the Binghamton Division immediately began an intense investigation. While conducting surveillance operations in Johnson City, investigators observed Pittsley leaving a retail store and, as she attempted to get into a nearby vehicle, task force members took her into custody.

During the arrest, more than 40 grams of methamphetamines were found in her possession.  Pittsley was transported to the Broome County Sheriff’s Office and charged with felony narcotics possession.

“We are incredibly thankful to members of the community and our partners across law enforcement who assisted us in capturing a federal escapee,” said David McNulty, U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of New York.

The NY/NJ RFTF – Binghamton Division is composed of several different agencies, to include the Binghamton Police Department, Broome County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police, New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, and the U.S. Marshals Service.

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Custer County Triple-Homicide Suspect in Custody After Multi-Agency Manhunt

Source: US Marshals Service

Denver, CO – A multi-agency manhunt for the fugitive homicide suspect wanted in the Monday killings of three people and wounding of a fourth in Custer County, Colorado concluded Tuesday afternoon just outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico. 

Hanme Clark, 45, is wanted by the Custer County Sheriff’s Office in connection to the deaths of his neighbors, Rob Greers, Beth Wade Geers, and James Daulton as well as the assault of Patty Daulton. A warrant for his arrest was issued late Monday evening by the Custer County Combined Courts charging him with three counts of murder in the first degree, one count of attempted murder in the first degree, and assault in the first degree.

On Tuesday morning, Custer County Sheriff Rich Smith delegated apprehension authority of Clark to the U.S. Marshals Service’s Colorado Violent Offender Task Force (COVOTF). COVOTF Deputy U.S. Marshals from Colorado Springs had already begun coordinating with both the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Custer County Sheriff’s Office, and the Colorado State Patrol to combine resources in locating Clark who was believed to be driving a white Dodge Ram pickup trick. Information was quickly obtained indicating his vehicle was traveling southbound on I-25 toward the New Mexico state line.   

At approximately 1:00pm Tuesday, that information was relayed to a U.S. Marshals Service Task Force Officer (TFO) from the New Mexico State Police (NMSP) who began coordinating assets in New Mexico to locate the vehicle. At approximately 1:35pm, the suspect’s vehicle drove past the NMSP TFO while traveling southbound on I-25 toward Albuquerque. The NMSP TFO began following the vehicle and positively identified Clark as the driver. Deputy U.S. Marshals from the District of New Mexico, along with other NMSP personnel to include their SWAT team, coordinated a plan to stop the suspect vehicle. Once out of the populated area on westbound I-40, NMSP personnel deployed spike strips to stop the vehicle and the NMSP SWAT team conducted a vehicle containment procedure, safely taking Clark into custody. NMSP and Deputy U.S. Marshals briefly shut down westbound I-40 while the enforcement action was taking place. Clark was then transported to the New Mexico State Police Office in Albuquerque for questioning. He is currently being housed at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque and awaiting extradition back to Colorado. 

“I’d like to thank all of the agencies who joined together to quickly apprehend this fugitive and get him into custody,” said U.S. Marshal for the District of Colorado Kirk Taylor. “The events which took place Monday in Custer County are horrific and traumatic for a tight-knit community. It was critical for the victims in this case and their families that the suspect be apprehended quickly and with the help of so many partner agencies, I’m glad to report we were able to do that.”

The arrest of this fugitive represents a culmination of extensive cooperative investigative efforts between the Custer County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Marshals Colorado Violent Offender Task Force, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Colorado State Patrol, New Mexico State Police, and the U.S. Marshals District of New Mexico. 

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. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @USMSDenver.

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USMS NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force Re-Arrests Dangerous Federal Convict Released by Accident

Source: US Marshals Service

New York, NY – Deputies and Task Force Officers from the U.S. Marshals New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force (NY/NJ RFTF) Saturday apprehended the felon after an all-points bulletin BOLO (Be On The Lookout) was issued to all police departments to locate and arrest him so he could be returned to federal custody.

Antonio Olmeda, formerly in custody at the Bureau of Prisons Danbury facility, was released in error on November 15, 2023 after a request was made by the State to release him to face state charges of attempted murder of two NYPD (New York Police Department) Police Officers. As no detainer was submitted by the State with the request, the prisoner was released without notice to the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) or the Southern District of New York.

Compounding the USMS concern was that Olmeda was thought to carry a “hit list” of USMS protected persons. 

On November 17, 2023, the Queens County DA obtained an arrest warrant for Olmeda and USMS NY/NJ RFTF adopted the case immediately and developed information that led them to a shelter on the lower East Side of Manhattan where they arrested Olmeda in the early morning hours of November 18, 2023 without incident. He was later remanded into State custody by a Queens County State Court Judge pending retrial for attempted murder.

“This was a successful arrest of a dangerous felon set free by accident.” said Ralph Sozio, U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of New York. “I want to thank the NY/NJ RFTF for their dedicated coordination and rapid apprehension, getting him back into custody without incident.” 

The New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force 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/NJRFTF was the flagship that has 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/NJRFTF has successfully apprehended over 95,000 fugitives since inception.

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U.S. Marshals and Sandpoint Police Bring Accused Kidnaper Back to Idaho

Source: US Marshals Service

Coeur d’Alene, ID – Late this evening, a team of Deputy U.S. Marshals arrived at the Spokane International Airport with Laurel E. Hannah, 40, in custody. They traveled over 4,000 miles to Costa Rica to pick her up from local authorities. Hannah is the non-custodial Sandpoint mother who took her one-year-old child out of the country earlier this summer in August. On August 14, 2023, the Bonner County District Court in Sandpoint issued an arrest warrant for Hannah for Custodial Interference. The Bonner County Prosecutor’s Office later charged Hannah with Kidnapping in the Second Degree.

Through Sandpoint Police Department’s diligent investigation, they quickly learned Hannah had likely fled the country. Due to fears the child was in danger, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Greater Idaho Fugitive Task Force in Coeur d’Alene joined the investigation to locate Hannah while the Sand Point Police Department continued to investigate the crime of custodial interference and kidnapping. The USMS task force worked non-stop to exhaust all investigative leads to locate Hannah and the missing child.

On August 23, 2023, Costa Rican authorities apprehended Hannah at the request of the United States and safely recovered the child. The USMS then worked with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs to secure the extradition of Hannah from Costa Rica back to Idaho.

This case highlights the critical collaboration between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies working together successfully towards a common goal. All the law enforcement partners are relieved the child in this case was safely returned to North Idaho. The United States Marshal for the District of Idaho, Brent Bunn, is appreciative of all the investigators from the Sandpoint Police Department, Bonner County Sheriff’s Office, Bonner County Prosecutor’s Office, U.S. State Department, FBI, and USMS Office of International Operations.

Marshal Bunn added, “We are pleased that in this case, we were able to assist the Sandpoint Police Department and the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office in the return of a suspect from Costa Rica. We appreciate the great working relationship we have with the law enforcement officers in North Idaho.”

The USMS Greater Idaho Fugitive Task Force is a state-wide cooperative to locate and arrest violent state and federal fugitives. Member agencies throughout the State of Idaho include: Idaho State Police, Idaho Department of Corrections, Coeur d’Alene Police Department, Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, Nampa Police Department, Pocatello Police Department, Post Falls Police Department, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Anyone with information on wanted fugitives is urged to contact the nearest U.S. Marshals office, the U.S. Marshals Service Communication Center at 1-800-336-0102, or submit a tip.

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U.S. Marshals Warn of Recent Increase of Phone Scams in Maine

Source: US Marshals Service

Portland/Bangor, ME – The U.S. Marshals Service, District of Maine, is alerting the public of a significant increase in Maine residents reporting a phone scam involving individuals claiming to be U.S. Marshals or other Federal Officials. These scams are also occurring in other New England States.

Were you contacted by someone pretending to be a U.S. marshal? Report it to the Federal Trade Commission.

During these calls, scammers are sometimes “spoofing” actual office phone numbers to fraudulently collect money or gain other Personal Identifiable Information (PII) from the victim. The scammers claim to be actual employees of the U.S. Marshals Service and will sometimes even provide actual real names and/or badge numbers of current U.S. Marshal Officials that are found on public, government websites to further appear legitimate. The scammers use many convincing tactics such as threatening legal ramifications if victims do not to comply.

If you receive any calls of this nature, contact the agency in question by calling them directly from a verified official website to authenticate the information. If you believe you were a victim of such a scam, you are encouraged to report the incident to your local FBI office and to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Things to remember:

  • U.S. MARSHALS WILL NEVER ask for credit/debit card/gift card numbers, wire transfers, or bank routing numbers for any purpose.
  • NEVER divulge personal or financial information to unknown callers.
  • Report scam phone calls to your local FBI office and to the FTC..
  • You can remain anonymous when you report.

The U.S. Marshals Service urges individuals not to divulge personal or financial information to unknown callers and highly recommends the public report similar crimes to their local police departments. If you believe you are a victim of fraud, report the incident through the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov. Also, you should report online, business, or phone scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) immediately at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov.

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U.S. Marshals Arrest One Lake Co. Fugitive; Search Ongoing for 2nd Lake Co. Suspect Wanted for Murder, Attempted Murder

Source: US Marshals Service

Hammond, IN – The U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Fugitive Task Force has located and safely arrested one Lake County man wanted for murder, while the search for another is ongoing.

Melvion Delphie, aka “Fatboy,” 21, wanted for the murder of a Gary man during a Jan. 28 armed robbery, was taken into custody at approximately 9:45 a.m. today in the 5800 block of Michigan Avenue, Chicago. He was transported to Chicago Police Department 1st District-Central for processing. 

“This apprehension highlights the commitment of the U.S. Marshals Service to remove dangerous individuals from our communities,” said Todd L. Nukes, U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Indiana. “The Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force will continue partnering with our fellow law enforcement agencies on this critical fugitive mission.”

Still at large is Byron Emory, 26, who is wanted by the Lake County Sheriff’s Department for murder and three counts of attempted murder for his alleged part in a Sept. 25, 2022, mass shooting which left one person dead and three others wounded. 

The U.S. Marshals are offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading directly to Emory’s arrest.   

Emory is 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs approximately 150 pounds. He is Black with a light complexion, has hazel eyes and short hair, possibly in short twists. He is involved in producing music videos and is known to wear gold chains displaying pendants with the letters “BMG” and “WG.” He has close ties to northwest Indiana and Chicago, as well as Arizona and California. Emory should be considered armed and dangerous. 

Anyone with information regarding Emory’s current location should contact the U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center at 1-877-WANTED2 (1-877-926-8332) or send tips via the USMS Tips App.  

The USMS Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force began operations in June 2003 and was among the first regional fugitive task forces to become fully operational following the Presidential Threat Protection Act of 2000. The GLRFTF has partnership agreements with more than 96 federal, state, and local agencies and operates in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. The GLRFTF has apprehended more than 112,000 fugitives since its inception and is always striving to make communities safer. 

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Youngstown Homicide Suspect Arrested in New Hope, Minnesota

Source: US Marshals Service

Minneapolis, MN – Late last night, The United States Marshals Service (USMS) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested Vashaud May, 21.  May was wanted by the Youngstown Police Department (YPD) for homicide.

According to YPD, on April 26, 2022, May chased down the victim while driving in the 3800 block of Mohawk Ave. in Youngstown.  Dozens of rounds were fired and 24-year-old Rawsheem Aponte was killed.  Two other people, including a toddler were injured in the shooting.  A warrant for May’s arrest was issued a few weeks after the incident.

Earlier in the week, the FBI Mahoning Valley Violent Crimes Task Force gathered information that May had fled from Ohio and was staying near Minneapolis, MN.  The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) worked with their counterparts in Minneapolis over the past few days and late last night May was located at an apartment in the 8300 block of Bass Lake Rd in New Hope, MN.  Initially, May refused to comply with officers and barricade himself in the apartment, however, he eventually surrendered and was taken into custody without incident.

“We applaud the collaborative work of our federal, state, and local partners who worked diligently to identify and find Vashaud May,” said FBI Cleveland Special Agent in Charge Gregory Nelsen. “His violent criminal actions affected not only Rawsheem Aponte and his family, but also the lives of many others, including those caught in the crossfire of this senseless violence. The FBI will continue to work tirelessly to thwart violent crime and apprehend individuals engaging in criminal behavior.”

May will remain in custody in Minnesota until he can be extradited back to Youngstown to answer for the charges against him.          

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “Fugitives think they can run and hide, and no one will find them, they don’t realize that law enforcement doesn’t give up.  They will be found, arrested, and brought to justice for the crimes they commit and the devastation they bring to 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 NOVFTF Youngstown Division consists of the following federal, state and local agencies:  
Boardman Township Police Department, Campbell Police Department, Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office, Liberty Township Police Department, Lordstown Village Police Department, Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office, Mercy Health Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Salem Police Department, Trumbull County Adult Probation Department, Warren Police Department, Youngstown Police Department, and United States Marshals Service.

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U.S. Marshals Arrest Lapwai Murder Suspect Hiding Out-of-State

Source: US Marshals Service

Coeur d’Alene, ID – On November 27, 2023, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Greater Idaho Fugitive Task Force, along with multiple law enforcement partners arrested William O. Eyle, 20, in Pendleton, Oregon. Eyle was wanted on a federal warrant issued by the U.S. District Court on October 17, 2023. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Coeur d’Alene charged Eyle with Murder in the Second Degree and Use of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence. Earlier in May of 2023, while on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation in North Idaho, he allegedly shot his victim numerous times and then went on the run.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted the murder investigation and the USMS later joined the hunt for Eyle after the warrant for his arrest was issued. Investigators ultimately located Eyle hiding in Pendleton and rapidly deployed from multiple jurisdictions to safely apprehend him. The arrest operation required countless hours of careful coordination and planning to ensure the safety of the public. Eyle was believed to be armed and dangerous. This interagency operation included the USMS Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force out of the Portland office and Richland, Washington office; as well as the FBI, Umatilla Tribal Police, Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office, Pendelton Police Department, Oregon State Police and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The United States Marshal for the District of Idaho, Brent Bunn, expressed his appreciation of the USMS task force members from Coeur d’Alene, Boise, Portland, Spokane, and Richland offices working seamlessly together as well as the exemplary collaboration between other federal, tribal, state, and local law enforcement in the region. Marshal Bunn stated, “this level of collaboration among law enforcement is essential when tracking a violent fugitive who is motivated to evade capture.” Marshal Bunn also added, “this arrest will help bring justice to the victim’s family in addition to hopefully impacting the Nez Perce Indian Reservation in a positive way.”

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. 

Follow the latest news and updates about the U.S. Marshals Service on Twitter: @USMarshalsHQ

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U.S. Marshals Capture Man Wanted for Vehicular Homicide After Fatal Hit-and-Run

Source: US Marshals Service

Memphis, TN – U.S. Marshals in Memphis captured Deandrea Clark, 37, who was wanted for the fatal hit-and-run of a woman in October. The Memphis Police Department issued a warrant for Vehicular Homicide, Hit-and-Run Involving Death or Serious Injury, Driving on a Suspended License, Failure to Exercise Due Care, Duty to Render Aid, and Violation of Financial Responsibility Law.

On October 26th, Clark was allegedly involved in a crash with another vehicle at I-385 and Kirby Parkway. According to reports, Clark collided with another vehicle while traveling 85 MPH in a 40 MPH lane and fled the scene on foot. The driver of the other vehicle, Sarah Hamer, 53, was transported to a Memphis hospital and later pronounced dead. The U.S. Marshals Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force (TRVFTF) adopted the case to locate and apprehend Clark.

Yesterday afternoon, the Two Rivers Task Force and Shelby County Fugitive Apprehension Team went to an address in the 3800 block of Weaver Meadows Lane in Memphis. Investigators approached the residence and announced their presence at the front door. Moments later, Clark surrendered at the door and was placed under arrest without incident or injury. 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, and the Tennessee Department of Correction Special Agents. The primary mission of the Task Force is to arrest violent offenders and sexual predators.

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U.S. Marshals Increase Reward up to $20,000 for Virginia Rapper Charged with Murder of 10-Year-Old Boy

Source: US Marshals Service

Norfolk, VA – The U.S. Marshals Service has increased the reward up to $20,000 for information that leads to the arrest of a Virginia woman wanted for the Aug. 9 murder of a 10-year-old boy in Franklin.

Tashawnda Nicole Drayton, 24, known by her rap name “23 Brazy,”is also known to identify as a male, according to her family and friends, and go by the name “Berlin Montrell,” along with the nickname of “Punnie.”

Drayton has ties up and down the east coast, primarily: New York City; Wilmington, Delaware; Richmond, Virginia; Hampton Roads, Virginia; Gaffney, South Carolina; and Atlanta.

Drayton is Black, with brown eyes and black hair, stands 5 feet 11 inches and weighs approximately 250 pounds. She has “only loyalty” tattooed above her left eyebrow, “23 Brazy” in red letters on her forehead, “blessed” on the left side of her neck, “Stacy” on the right side of her neck, along with several additional tattoos on her face and neck. Drayton also has multiple tattoos on both of her arms and hands, including “Tinka boo” on her left forearm, and “Stay Brazy” across her knuckles.

(Credit: YouTube)

Right neck / face, left neck / face tattoos

 Knuckles, left forearm tattoos (Law enforcement photographs)

Drayton has the following outstanding arrest warrants from the Franklin Police Department in connection to a shooting that left a 10-year-old boy dead and an adult male injured in Franklin, Virginia, Aug. 9:

First-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, aggravated malicious wounding, shooting into an occupied dwelling (two counts), use of a firearm in commission of a felony, threat to burn or damage a building, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and discharge of a firearm in a public place.

Drayton should be considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information regarding Drayton’s location should contact law enforcement. The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information which leads to her arrest. Tips may be submitted through the USMS Tips App.