Washington, D.C. – A perfect
trifecta resulted in the arrest of U.S. Marshals “15 Most Wanted”
fugitive David Lee Green yesterday at a medical facility in
Titusville, Fla. Diligence and hard work by the U.S. Marshals from
the Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force in Orlando and U.S.
Marshals in the Northern District of Ohio combined with a tip from a
citizen resulted in Green’s capture after being on the run since
2000. Green was wanted for his
June 19, 2000, escape from the Federal Correctional Institution in
Elkton, Ohio, where he was serving a 235-month sentence for cocaine
distribution. He also was wanted for possession of a machine gun by
the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia. Prior to his
escape, authorities believe he conditioned himself by running four
to six miles a day and weaned himself off of diabetic medication in
anticipation of his run from justice.
The television show America’s Most
Wanted profiled Green three times over the years, most recently last
month. Many tips were received as a result of these airings and
followed-up by U.S. Marshals investigators.
The U.S. Marshals - Florida Regional
Fugitive Task Force in Orlando received a request on Monday from the
U.S. Marshals office in Cleveland based upon information provided by
a tipster to America’s Most Wanted. This tip proved to be the end of
Green’s run as he was located and taken into custody. Green will
appear before a U.S. Magistrate Judge today in the Middle District
of Florida for his initial appearance to answer to the charge of
escape.
“This case demonstrates how the U.S.
Marshals capabilities to bring fugitives to justice are enhanced
when concerned citizens step up and provide valuable information,”
said John F. Clark, Director of the United States Marshals Service.
“Working together, we made a difference.”
Associates describe Green as a
violent man, who ruled his Cleveland crime network by intimidation,
and viewed himself as “the general of his army.” He used family
vacation trips as a cover for transporting drugs, and was known for
waking up his children with a stun gun. During the 1980s and ‘90s,
Green flooded Cleveland with millions of dollars of cocaine.
“Daddy Dave” Green reputedly used a
stun gun on his children and an iron fist with his narcotics
distribution ring. Less than a month ago, this violent drug kingpin
and escaped federal prisoner scored a spot on the United States
Marshals famed “15 Most Wanted” fugitives list and yesterday he was
captured.
“The persistence and determination of
the Deputy U.S. Marshals working this case was second to none. This
proves that we never stop hunting those who evade justice. A great
thanks is deserved to all that assisted: in the media, the public
and all the Deputy U.S. Marshals that would not let this case rest!”
said U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott, Northern District of Ohio.
Green has been on the most wanted
fugitive list in northern Ohio for two years. Due to the special
notoriety of this case, the Outdoor Advertising Association of
America posted Green’s wanted posters on highway billboards across
the nation.
This year marks the 25th anniversary
of the U.S. Marshals “15 Most Wanted” fugitive list. During that
time, 199 of 212 fugitives on the list have been found, leading to
the convictions of some of the nation’s most violent felons.
For more information, see the U.S.
Marshals Web site:
www.usmarshals.gov.
Original
News Release |