Western Arkansas – Following a four 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 June 16 – 22. Led by the U.S. Marshals, Operation FALCON 2008 netted 434 arrests within the Western District of Arkansas.

Operation FALCON 2008 – The Western District of Arkansas combined the collective efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies in one of the area’s largest-ever fugitive initiatives, focusing on capturing individuals wanted on felony charges including sexual predators and fugitives wanted for crimes of violence. Over the course of the seven-day operation, Deputy U.S. Marshals teamed with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, arrested 434 fugitives, including 26 sex offenders, and cleared over 800 warrants in the Western District of Arkansas.

Matthew Keating was a federal fugitive wanted by the U.S. Marshals from the Eastern District of Michigan for violation of supervised release. After an intense investigation, members of the Northwest Arkansas Violent Crime Task Force and local law enforcement officers arrested Keating in Washington County. After a brief pursuit and felony car stop, Keating was taken into custody and faces numerous local charges. Keating was believed to be armed and dangerous and a search of his vehicle revealed methamphetamine manufacturing equipment, along with other illegal drugs.

Joshua King had an outstanding state warrant for rape out of Sebastian County. After an extensive three-day investigation, a team working FALCON 2008 located King at an address in Fort Smith. FALCON team members responded to the residence and took him safely into custody without incident.

“While the Marshals are often the public face of Operation FALCON, we have been extremely fortunate that all of our federal, state and local partners continue to wholeheartedly and enthusiastically come together to make this work,” said John F. Clark, Director of the U.S. Marshals Service. “With their exceptional assistance, Operation FALCON continues to be the largest and most successful fugitive apprehension effort in U.S. Marshals history.”

Operation FALCON 2008 – The Western District of Arkansas consisted of approximately 125 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers, working throughout the seven-day period. Each participating local officer was sworn in as a Special Deputy U.S. Marshal immediately prior to the start of the operation. This special authority empowered them to cross traditional lines of jurisdiction to track down and arrest targeted fugitives throughout the week.

“The cooperation and enthusiasm of law enforcement agencies in the Western District of Arkansas has always been incredible,” said U.S. Marshal Richard O’Connell. “We are facing new challenges in law enforcement and must always adapt to overcome substantial overwhelming odds. With our law enforcement partners at all levels, we are dedicated to a safer Western Arkansas.”

Agencies contributing to Operation FALCON 2008-Western District of Arkansas were the Arkansas Department of Community Correction, Arkansas State Police, ATF, FBI, Sebastian County, Crawford County, Washington County, Benton County, Madison County, Carroll County, Boone County, Garland County, Union County, Miller County, and Newton County Sheriff’s Offices, along with Booneville, Rogers, Springdale, Fayetteville, Siloam Springs, Van Buren, Fort Smith, Texarkana, and El Dorado Police Departments.

Since its inception in 2005, Operation FALCON has made over 36,500 arrests and cleared over 45,300 warrants. It continues to be the largest and most successful fugitive apprehension effort in U.S. Marshals history.

For more information about the U.S. Marshals Service and Operation FALCON, visit http://www.usmarshals.gov.
 

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