Concord, NH - This afternoon, “Fugitive of the Week," Samantha Smith, 31, was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force at an apartment complex on Indian Brook Circle in Rochester, NH. Ms. Smith was wanted on an arrest warrant issued out of the Rockingham County Superior Court in Brentwood, NH for failing to appear on charges of possession of cocaine and delivering of articles prohibited. These original charges were brought, when Smith was allegedly found in possession of cocaine and was arrested and brought to the Rockingham County Jail. When Smith was inside the jail, she was searched and additional cocaine was found on her person, which resulted in the second charge of delivering of articles prohibited into a correctional facility or jail.
Ms. Smith was featured on June 5th as the “Fugitive of the Week." This feature was aired on WTPL-FM, WMUR-TV, The Union Leader, The Nashua Telegraph, The Patch, Foster’s Daily Democrat, Manchester Information, the Manchester Ink Link, The Rochester Voice and prominently featured on the internet. The “Fugitive of the Week" has been a very successful tool that has resulted in the location and arrest of numerous fugitives since its implementation in 2007. Additionally, the “Fugitive of the Week" was going to be distributed statewide to all law enforcement officers.
Since being featured as the “Fugitive of the Week," several viable tips came in pointing to several locations throughout Strafford County for Smith. Today’s arrest was a result of the dedicated efforts of the surveillance teams that led to Smith’s location and arrest this afternoon. Smith was observed exiting the apartment, at which time the team moved in to make the arrest without any incident. Smith was transported directly to the Rockingham County Jail, where she will be held without bail pending her initial court appearance at a later time.
This arrest was cooperative effort between several member agencies that comprise the US Marshals - NH Joint Fugitive Task Forces including the; Rockingham, & Strafford County Sheriff’s Offices, along with deputy US Marshals. This cooperative effort combined with the fantastic assistance of the public led to quick and safe arrest of Ms. Loranger today.
Since the inception of the New Hampshire Joint Fugitive Task Force in 2002, these partnerships have resulted in over 7,475 arrests (Updated as of 12/10/2018). These arrests have ranged in seriousness from murder, assault, unregistered sex offenders, probation and parole violations and numerous other serious offenses. Nationally the United States Marshals Service fugitive programs are carried out with local law enforcement in 94 district offices, 85 local fugitive task forces, 8 regional task forces, as well as a growing network of offices in foreign countries.
