Arrest of Gang Member Filipo Fonoti

Honolulu, HI – Just one day after taking a suspected child molester off
Honolulu streets, agents with the Hawaii Fugitive Task Force led by the
United States Marshals Service, apprehend another fugitive with a violent criminal history.

Filipo Fonoti, a 20-year old member of the East Side Piru gang was wanted out of Washington by the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department. On June 17, 2005 at McIlvaigh Middle School Fonoti, along with three other gang members, stripped a male of his clothing, robbed, and beat the victim. After the beating, the victim was forced to walk home naked. The victim was able to identify all four gang members and contacted Tacoma Police. Before authorities could arrest Fonoti he fled the area. According to documents from Superior Court of Washington for Pierce County, Fonoti was charged with assault in the second degree and robbery in the first degree. On October 13, 2005 a warrant was issued for Fonoti’s arrest making him a fugitive.

After being on the run for approximately two years, Pierce County Sheriff’s contacted the U.S. Marshals Service, Western District of Washington, Tacoma Field Office for assistance in locating the fugitive. After an intensive investigation, Tacoma Deputy U.S. Marshals found
information indicating Fonoti may be residing at an address in Waipahu, Hawaii. Tacoma Marshals then contacted Hawaii Fugitive Task Force agents for assistance. On September 13,
2007, Task Force agents and Honolulu Sheriff’s Deputies located Fonoti at a Waianae residence where he was arrested without incident. Fonoti was booked into the Honolulu Police Department awaiting extradition hearings back to Pierce County Washington.

The arrest of this violent fugitive was part of “Operation Falcon” sponsored by the U.S. Marshals Service, Western District of Washington and the Pacific Northwest Fugitive Apprehension Task Force. “Operation Falcon” focuses on combined efforts of federal, state, and local agencies working together to apprehend fugitives charged with the most serious crimes.

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