Birmingham, AL - Operation FALCON 2008 has netted 260 arrests and 450 warrants cleared in the Northern District of Alabama. FALCON, Federal And Local Cops Organized Nationally, began on June 15, 2008, with state and local officers being sworn in as special Deputy U.S. Marshals. That authority empowered officers to cross traditional lines of jurisdiction in the District to track down and arrest targeted fugitives throughout the week that ended June 21st.

“The combined resources among federal, state and local officers along with intelligence gathering, proper planning, information sharing, and multiple manpower hours work were key to the success of FALCON 2008,” stated C. Martin Keely, U.S. Marshal, Northern District of Alabama.

“A seven day operation with 260 arrested for serious and violent crimes makes the Northern District of Alabama a safer place. In other words, the predators who prey upon the most vulnerable in society became the prey of Operation FALCON,” said Marshal Keely.

The cooperative efforts included arrests in157 narcotics cases, 35 burglary cases, 16 robbery cases, 2 vehicle theft cases, 18 financial fraud cases, 11 sexual offense cases, 8 assault cases, 2 homicide cases, and 4 weapon violation cases. The bulk of these cases will be prosecuted locally in state court in the county where the arrest occurred, although some cases may be prosecuted using federal statutes. The other subjects arrested were wanted for criminal offenses in other districts, and will be extradited from this district to the district where criminal charges are pending. Almost all of the thirty-one counties in the Northern District of Alabama had an arrest associated with Operation FALCON.

“Operation FALCON pools resources and brings law enforcement together for a common goal - to rid our communities of wanted criminals,” stated Alice H. Martin United States Attorney, Northern District Alabama. “Two hundred and sixty arrests in one week is a message from law enforcement to those who use illegal drugs, steal, assault others or who fail to register as sex offenders that you need to look over your shoulder because the law isn’t far behind.”

Two individuals were apprehended in other states based on information developed in the Northern District of Alabama for failing to register as sex offenders. Those arrested include: Charles Steagall, 37, who was arrested in Pensacola, Florida, and Tracy Craven, 46, who was arrested in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Both individuals had pending warrants from Calhoun County, Alabama, for failing to register as sex offenders. Both cases are being prosecuted locally in Calhoun County.

Law Enforcement participation includes: The United States Attorney’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives; The Drug Enforcement Administration; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; U.S. Secret Service; Social Security Office of Inspector General; Immigration and Customs Enforcement; Probation and Parole; Sheriffs Offices for Calhoun, Jefferson, Lauderdale, Shelby, Talladega and Tuscaloosa Counties; Drug Task Force Offices for Calhoun-Cleburne, and Talladega Counties; Police Departments of Alabaster, Anderson, Anniston, Birmingham, Childersburg, Florence, Hoover, Hueytown, Huntsville, Lincoln, Rogersville, St. Florian, Sylacauga, Talladega and Tuscaloosa; and the Alabama Air National Guard.

For more information on Operation FALCON, visit http://www.usmarshals.gov/falcon08/media.htm
 

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