The U.S. Marshals Service has concluded a high-impact fugitive apprehension initiative aimed at combating violent crime in 10 cities with a significant number of homicides and shootings to include Kansas City.
This 30-day initiative, called Operation North Star II (ONS II), resulted in the arrest of 833 fugitives, violent criminals, sex offenders and self-identified gang members in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Buffalo, New York; Cleveland; Columbus, Ohio; Detroit; Jackson, Mississippi; Kansas City, Missouri; Milwaukee; Oakland, California, and Puerto Rico.
ONS II focused on fugitives wanted for the most serious, violent, and harmful offenses including homicide, forcible sexual assault, robbery, or aggravated assault. ONS II investigators prioritized their efforts to include individuals using firearms in their crimes, or who exhibited risk factors associated with violence.
Investigators in Kansas City arrested over 51 subjects wanted for offenses such as homicide, assault, robbery, sexual offenses, and weapons violations as part of the operation. During the same time frame an additional 11 arrests were made for other serious offenses including federal probation violations, conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Investigators identified an additional 14 persons wanted for serious offenses against persons in Jackson County that were found to be in custody in other jurisdictions. Three firearms were seized from prohibited persons.
“The Marshals Service continues to play an important role in protecting our communities from violent crime through initiatives like Operation North Star II, bringing those responsible for committing violent crimes against others before the courts so that their victims may seek a measure of justice,” said U.S. Marshal Scott Seeling. “Through our partnerships with the community, Crime Stoppers, and area law enforcement agencies, we work hard every day to help break the cycle of violence to keep all Missourians safe.”
Throughout the month of January, the U.S. Marshals Service used its broad arrest authority and network of task forces in these 10 cities to arrest 95 persons wanted for homicide, 70 for robbery, 98 for weapons offenses, 200 for assault, and 68 for sexual assault. In addition, investigators seized 181 firearms, more than $229,000 in currency and more than 160 kilograms of illegal narcotics.
The concept behind interagency law enforcement operations such as ONS II evolved largely from regional and district task forces. Since the 1980s, the U.S. Marshals Service has combined their resources and expertise with local, state, and federal agencies to find and apprehend dangerous fugitives.
The U.S. Marshals Midwest Violent Fugitive Task Force-Kansas City Division, operates in conjunction with members of the Kansas City, Independence and St. Joseph Missouri Police Departments, Jackson, Cass, Clay, Nodaway and Buchanan County Sheriff’s Offices, Missouri State Highway Patrol and other federal law enforcement partners. The task force objectives are to seek out and arrest fugitives charged with violent crimes, drug offenses, sex offenders and other serious felonies. It also provides direct support to law enforcement agencies in tracking down and recovering missing children. Nationally the United States Marshals Service fugitive programs are carried out with local law enforcement in 94 district offices, 67 local fugitive task forces, 8 regional task forces, as well as a growing network of offices in foreign countries.
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