El Paso, TX – 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 23-June 29. Led by the U.S. Marshal Service, Operation FALCON is a nationwide law enforcement effort.

Operation FALCON 2008 – El Paso combined the collective efforts and talents of multiple law enforcement agencies focusing on capturing individuals wanted on felony charges including gang members, sex offenders and fugitives wanted for crimes of violence. Over the course of the six-day operation, the combined resources of federal, state, and local law enforcement officers, arrested 223 fugitives – including 12 gang members - and cleared a total of 320 warrants. Those arrested locally were sought for offenses including sexual assault, sex offender registration, assault, narcotics offenses, robbery, and burglary.

“This operation, along with the ongoing efforts of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force in the Western District of Texas, provides a clear indication of our commitment to ensuring the safety of our community” said LaFayette Collins, U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Texas. “We measure success one fugitive at a time. Any time we remove a sexual predator, gang member, or other violent felon, that street, a neighborhood, and a community became a little safer. We never lose sight of the impact crime has on its victims and we will never tire in our pursuit to bring people to justice.”

Operation FALCON – El Paso consisted of officers from the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Border Patrol, Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, U.S. Probation, Texas Dept. of Public Safety, Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission, Texas Office of the Inspector General, El Paso County Sheriffs Dept., El Paso Police Dept., and El Paso County Constable Precinct #5.

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, visit http://www.usmarshals.gov.
 

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