The U.S. Marshals Service has concluded Operation North Star II (ONS II) which was a high-impact fugitive apprehension initiative focused on tackling violent crimes in 10 cities that have a significant number of homicides and shootings.
This 30-day initiative resulted in the detention of 833 fugitives, violent criminals, sex offenders and self-identified members of gangs in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Buffalo, New York; Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio; Detroit, Michigan; Jackson, Mississippi; Kansas City, Missouri; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Oakland, California; and Puerto Rico.
ONS II focused on fugitives wanted in connection with the most violent, serious and dangerous offenses, such as homicide, forcible sexual assault or robbery or the aggravated assault. ONS II investigators prioritized their efforts to include individuals using firearms in their crimes or who exhibited risk factors associated with violence.
“The results of this operation should make clear that the Justice Department and our partners across the country will stop at nothing to find and bring to justice those responsible for violent crime,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The U.S. Marshals Service, and the entire Justice Department, will continue to collaborate with community officials and law enforcement personnel across the nation to safeguard our communities.”
“The U.S. Marshals Service remains steadfast in its dedication to supporting police and other community leaders on all levels to combat violence,” declared Director Ronald Davis of the U.S. Marshals Service. “The effectiveness of ONS II is based on its laser focus on the most significant drivers of violence. We are confident that the arrest of these criminals will bring some degree of justice for their victims. It will also help in the overall violence reduction efforts in every city and hopefully bring a sense of justice to the victims.”
Throughout the month of January during the month of January, the U.S. Marshals Service used its broad arrest authority and network of task forces to arrest individuals wanted on charges, including 95 for murder and 68 on sexual assault. Investigators also have seized 181 guns and more than $229,000 worth of currency, plus more than 160 kilograms of illicit drugs.
Notable arrests included:
Walter Abbott was arrested on Jan. 18 in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, by members of the Southwest Fugitive Task Force. Abbott was wanted in Sandoval County, New Mexico, for first-degree attempted homicide and aggravated burglary with a deadly weapon.
Paris Jackson was arrested on Jan. 31 in Buffalo, New York, by members of the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force. Jackson was wanted in Buffalo for second-degree criminal in possession of a weapon, and for shooting at an officer.
Gregory Kalvitz and Jessica Downing were detained on Jan. 20 in Cleveland by members of the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force. They were wanted in Henry County, Ohio, for interference of the custody warrant following the abduction of an 8-year-old girl before fleeing.
Jermaine Westbrook was detained on January. 26 in Parkersburg, West Virginia, by personnel from the U.S. Marshals Service Southern District of West Virginia, with assistance from members of the Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team. Westbrook was wanted in Franklin County, Ohio, for murder, felony assault as well as parole violation.
Richard Nichols was arrested on Jan. 30 in Albion, Michigan, by members of the Detroit Fugitive Apprehension Team. Nichols was wanted by the Michigan State Police for assault with the intent of murder.
Gerard Parker was arrested on Jan. 26 in Harrison County, Mississippi, by members of the Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force. Parker was wanted in New Orleans for third-degree sexual assault and parole violations.
Aaron Payne was arrested on Jan. 18 in Kansas City, Missouri, by members of the Missouri Violent Fugitive Task Force. Payne was wanted in Tarrant County, Texas, for the felony offense of strangulation.
Antonio Jenkins was arrested on Jan. 13 in West Allis, Wisconsin, by members of the Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force. Jenkins was wanted in Milwaukee for numerous charges including first-degree reckless endangering safety, felon in possession of a firearm, battery, and sale/possess/use/transport of a machine gun.
Michael Nguyen was arrested on Jan. 11 in Oakland, California, by members of the Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force. Nguyen was wanted by the police in Oakland for possession of illegal weapons as well as manufacturing weapons in violation of law as well as firing weapons.
Edwin Padilla Lopez was arrested on February. 3 in Carolina, Puerto Rico, by members of the Puerto Rico Violent Offender Task Force and the Puerto Rico Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. Padilla-Lopez was wanted in District of Puerto Rico for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances in the municipalities of Caguas, Cidra, and Aguas Buenas.
The idea of interagency law enforcement operations like ONS II evolved largely from districts and regional task forces. Since the 1980s, the U.S. Marshals Service has combined their resources and expertise with local, state, as well as federal agencies in order to locate and apprehend dangerous fugitives.
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