Diplomatic Security Coordinates 100th Fugitive Return from Belize since 1999Bureau of Diplomatic SecurityWashington, DC April 30, 2008 State Department Special Agents Help Return Sex Offender Dennis Wayne Fleming The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) helped coordinate the capture and return of Dennis Wayne Fleming on April 25, from Belize. This was the 100th U.S. fugitive return from Belize since 1999. Fleming was wanted on two state warrants for parole violation and failure to register as a sex offender issued by Payne County, Oklahoma in 2007, and the Oregon Parole Board in 2003. The warrants are a result of his felony conviction by the State of Oregon for third-degree assault and for first-degree rape in 1991. A DS Special Agent assigned as the Regional Security Officer (RSO) at the U.S. Embassy in Belmopan, Belize received a tip that Fleming was in the country. With this information, the RSO and the Embassy’s Foreign Service National Investigator (FSN-I), were able to locate Fleming within 48 hours. After an investigation led by the Regional Security Office, Fleming’s residence was located. The RSO then coordinated with local immigration and police authorities who took Fleming into custody on local immigration violations on April 25. Fleming was returned to the U.S. on April 29, 2008. Belize is a worldwide focal point for DS’ fugitive return efforts. The 100 fugitive returns to the U.S. since 1999 demonstrate the extraordinary cooperation among the Embassy’s Regional Security Office, Belize Law enforcement, and the U.S. Marshals Service. The Embassy’s lead FSN-I Keith Hamilton has worked for the U.S. Embassy since 1999, and has played an important role in locating and returning the 100 U.S. fugitives from Belize. FSN-Is are employed by U.S. embassies around the world to work with local police and assist the RSO with investigations work. In 2004, Mr. Hamilton received the U.S. Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) Investigative Excellence Award for his outstanding work in Belize. The Regional Security Office receives support from senior U.S. embassy officials and Consular officers, who often arrange for emergency travel documents to facilitate fugitive returns. Patrick D. Donovan, Acting Director of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), stated, “It’s this type of close, worldwide law enforcement liaison capability that gives Diplomatic Security unparalleled ability to apprehend fugitives like Fleming. His return highlights the critical role DSS plays in bringing suspects and fugitives to justice, regardless of where they may hide. Fleming’s apprehension was a direct result of law enforcement coordination and field efforts by Diplomatic Security, the U.S. Marshals Service, and local Belize police and immigration officials.” Because the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security is the most widely represented law enforcement organization in the world, DS’s capability to track and capture fugitives who have fled U.S. jurisdiction to avoid prosecution is unmatched. During 2007, DS assisted in the resolution of 113 international fugitive cases from over 30 different countries. DS returned twelve fugitives from Belize alone in fiscal year 2007. The Bureau of Diplomatic Security is the U.S. Department of State’s law enforcement and security arm. The special agents, engineers, and security professionals of the Bureau are responsible for the security of 285 U.S. diplomatic missions around the world. In the United States, Diplomatic Security personnel protect the U.S. Secretary of State and high-ranking foreign dignitaries and officials visiting the United States, investigate passport and visa fraud, and conduct personnel security investigations. In 2007, DS participated in 1,955 arrests globally, primarily for passport and visa fraud, including 406 arrests overseas in cooperation with foreign police. Read more in the U.S. Department of State’s Visa and Passport Security Strategic Plan at: http://www.state.gov/m/ds/rls/rpt/79895.htm. Additional information about the U.S. Department of State and the Bureau of Diplomatic Security may be obtained at www.state.gov/m/ds. Contact: |
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