Greensboro, N.C. – 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 15-21. Led by the
U.S. Marshal, Operation FALCON 2008 netted 118
arrests within the Middle District of N.C.
Operation FALCON – M/NC 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 other federal, state, and local law
enforcement partners, arrested 118 fugitives,
including one homicide suspect, eight sex offenders,
and cleared 253 warrants in M/NC.
Jonathan Newell, the homicide suspect, was wanted by
the Greensboro Police Department for the alleged
murder of Regan Bailey whose body was found in her
home on Jan. 14. A team of Deputy U.S. Marshals and
Greensboro Police officers arrested Newell June 17
on Lovette Street in Greensboro.
“From the outset, Operation FALCON has proven how
much can be accomplished when we combine resources
at the federal, state and local levels,” said John
F. Clark, Director of the U.S. Marshals Service.
“This operation is not possible without the unique
talents and dedication that each participating
agency brings to the table.”
Operation FALCON – M/NC consisted of approximately
170 federal, state, and local law enforcement
officers, making up five separate arrest teams
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 this 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 Middle District of North Carolina
has always been phenomenal,” said U.S. Marshal
Harlon Costner. “We are facing new challenges in Law
Enforcement and must always adapt to overcome
sometimes overwhelming odds when faced with the
criminal element that places our communities in
danger. This effort utilized the many resources of
our federal, state and local partners, and I believe
we have demonstrated that law enforcement at all
levels is dedicated to a safer community locally and
throughout the nation. The tremendous success of
this operation was achieved only through this level
of multi-jurisdictional cooperation.”
Agencies contributing to Operation FALCON-M/NC were
the NC State Highway Patrol, Forsyth County
Sheriff’s Office, Guilford County Sheriff’s Office,
Alamance County Sheriff’s Office, Durham County
Sheriff’s Office, Davidson County Sheriff’s Office,
Durham Police Department, Greensboro Police
Department, Lexington Police Department,
Winston-Salem Police Department, NC Probation and
Parole, US Immigration/Customs Enforcement.
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 Operation FALCON, visit
http://www.usmarshals.gov/falcon08/media.htm.
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