United States Attorney Ron Parsons, United States Marshal Dan Satterlee, and Sioux Falls Chief of Police Jon Thum announced on July 16 the results of a three-day law enforcement operation targeting fugitives and violent offenders in Sioux Falls and surrounding areas.
Operation Repeat Offender Project was conducted during the week of July 6. The operation involved federal, state, and local agencies working together to apprehend fugitives, parole absconders, gang members, and their associates. Authorities reported that 35 individuals were arrested during the sweep. Of those arrested, 11 received new felony state charges including possession of controlled substances, weapons possession, and aggravated eluding.
“With surgical precision, this successful joint operation, conducted by a team of dedicated law enforcement officers risking their lives, has removed dangerous fugitives from our community and returned them to where they belong—behind bars,” said Parsons.
“These operations highlight the great work that goes on every day in South Dakota. Partnerships between federal, state, and local agencies are the backbone to South Dakota’s law enforcement efforts and continue to keep our communities as safe as possible,” said Satterlee. “Deputy U.S. Marshals and our task force partners carry out this dangerous work on a daily basis throughout the state and will continue to do so for a safer South Dakota.”
The operation resulted in clearing 55 outstanding warrants. Eight parole absconders were among those arrested. Law enforcement also seized two firearms along with approximately 34 grams of methamphetamine and 9.7 grams of fentanyl—an amount described as close to 5,000 lethal doses.
Agencies assisting included Homeland Security Investigations; Sioux Falls Police Department; South Dakota Highway Patrol; South Dakota Department of Corrections/Parole Services; Brandon Police Department; South Dakota Fusion Center; Beadle County Sheriff’s Office; Moody County Sheriff’s Office; United States Attorney’s Office; U.S. Marshals Service.
“The success of this three-day operation highlights the power of collaboration among local, state, and federal agencies,” said Homeland Security Investigations St. Paul Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy.
Thum said: “We continue to demonstrate within our community that we are strongest when collaborating together… When law enforcement works well together it has a direct positive result to public safety within our communities.”
The U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota is responsible for enforcing federal laws across its district as chief federal law enforcement office handling criminal prosecutions and civil cases while supporting initiatives that improve public safety, according to the official website.