FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: July 30, 2008 Mark A. Gunnoe, Deputy U.S. Marshal Public Affairs Officer (504)589-3156   COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BY THE U.S. MARSHALS SERVICE AND JEFFERSON PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE PUTS TWO OF JPSO’S TOP 100 MOST WANTED BEHIND BARS   On July 29, 2008, the U.S. Marshals Service E/LA Crescent Star Fugitive Task Force (CSFTF) and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office (JPSO) arrested Edward Veal, in the 900 block of East Kingsway, Gretna, Louisiana. Veal was listed as #1 on the (JPSO) Top 100 most wanted fugitives list, for charges of First Degree Murder and Attempted Second Degree Murder. Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Homicide investigators allege that on June 15, 2008, Veal engaged in a narcotics transaction with the victim. When the victim began driving away, Veal produced a handgun and began shooting into the driver’s window. The victim crashed into a parked vehicle and was determined to be deceased at the scene. On July 22, 2008, in a separate incident, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Homicide investigators allege that Veal approached Tyrone Lucas and shot him four times with a handgun. Tyrone Lucas was transported to the University Medical Center and treated for his injuries. During the arrest of Veal, Task Force members seized a quantity of a white powdery substance, which later tested positive as Cocaine. In addition to the previously described warrants, Veal was also charged with Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, and (2) outstanding JPSO attachments. On July 29, 2008, the U.S. Marshals Service Northern District of Texas (N/TX) promptly acted on information provided by the U.S. Marshals Service (CSFTF) and arrested Garcia-Viera, Rene, with assistance from the Brownwood Police Department, Brownwood, Texas. Garcia-Viera was listed as #7 on the (JPSO) Top 100 most wanted fugitives list, for a charge of Attempted Murder. Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s investigators allege that on June 16, 2008, Garcia-Viera approached his ex-girlfriend and demanded that she return to Honduras with him. The ex-girlfriend refused to leave and as a result Garcia-Viera stabbed her eleven times. The ex-girlfriend was transported to a local hospital and received treatment for her injuries. Deputy U.S. Marshals in the Northern District of Texas developed information that indicated Garcia-Viera was part of a construction crew working at a new home development site in Cason Cove, near Brownwood lake. The Deputy U.S. Marshals along with officers from the Brownwood Police Department found Garcia-Viera at the site and arrested him without incident. U.S. Marshal Michael Credo stated, “Two dangerous criminals were taken off the streets today due to the outstanding efforts of local and federal agencies working together across the United States. It highlights the U.S. Marshals and the Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office’s commitment to bringing violent offenders to justice, no matter where they hide”. The U.S. Marshals Service EDLA sponsored CSFTF established itself in 1999 and is currently receiving extra support from the U.S. Attorney General and U.S. Department of Justice to fight post Hurricane Katrina violent crime and locate sexual predators in the New Orleans metro area. Current CSFTF members include the New Orleans Police Department, the Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff’s Office, St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana Probation and Parole, and the U.S. Border Patrol. Other New Orleans metro area law enforcement agencies participating on a case by case basis include: Bogalusa Police Department, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Services, and Social Security OIG . For more information on the U.S. Marshals EDLA CSFTF go to www.usmarshals.gov/district/la-e/news/index.html.