Operation Falcon nets hundreds of arrests in Dallas/Fort Worth area

by PegNews wire

DALLAS — Following a two-year tradition of success in its national efforts, the U.S. Marshals Service locally conducted another successful Operation FALCON (Federal and Local Cops Organized Nationally) from July 18-25 in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Operation FALCON 2007 -- Dallas/Fort Worth combined the collective efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies from the North Texas area, focusing on capturing individuals wanted on felony charges including sexual predators, fugitives wanted for crimes of violence and gang members.

Over the course of the seven-day operation, Deputy U.S. Marshals, teamed with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, arrested 244 fugitives, including 32 sex offenders and 28 gang members. The arrests cleared a total of 308 warrants. Additionally, six firearms, 510 grams of narcotics and $721.00 in U.S. Currency were seized. Led by the U.S. Marshals Service, Operation FALCON is an ongoing, multi-city, nationwide law enforcement effort. Since its onset this year, Operation FALCON 2007 has netted 1546 arrests and cleared 1764 warrants in seven operations.

Randy P. Ely, U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Texas observed, "Operation FALCON once again demonstrates the very powerful effect of law enforcement agencies at the local, state, and federal level thinking smarter and working more effectively together to rid our communities of violent criminals. By arresting these offenders, many with a violent history, we have helped to bring some sense of closure to those who have been victimized by their efforts and hopefully prevented others from being persecuted by their continued criminal conduct. I wish to thank the administrators from each of the law enforcement agencies for allowing their personnel to participate in FALCON and extend to all the law enforcement officers involved my sincere appreciation for making this a safe and successful operation."

Established in January 2004, the Dallas Fort Worth Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team's (DFW FAST) main objective is to track and apprehend violent fugitives in the North Texas area and throughout the United States. Many of the participants in Operation FALCON are assigned to DFW FAST. Since the inception of DFW FAST, over 5,750 fugitives have been arrested by the Strike Team, which includes over 808 arrested during FALCON operations in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

Since its inception in 2005, Operation FALCON has made over 30,000 arrests and cleared over 38,000 warrants. It continues to be the largest and most successful fugitive apprehension effort in U.S. Marshals history.

Source: U.S. Department of Justice