FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: April 27, 2007 U.S. Marshals Service, Office of Public Affairs (202) 307-9065   U.S. MARSHALS’ FUGITIVE HUNTER SELECTED FOR AMERICA’S MOST WANTED “ALL STAR CONTEST”   Today we would like to recognize Deputy Manny Puri of the Southern District of New York on his selection as a semifinalist on America’s Most Wanted (AMW) All Star Contest. Deputy Puri is one of eight semi-finalists for AMW’s top honor. He has worked with AMW for the past ten years on numerous fugitive cases. AMW has highlighted seven fugitive cases that Manny has been involved with and four of the fugitives have been brought to justice. He is also the case agent for the Marshals’ 15 MOST WANTED search for Andre Neverson, currently one of AMW’s top cases. For additional information regarding the AMW's All Star contest and voting instructions, please log on to www.AMW.com/allstar. The All Star winner will be selected at the conclusion of the voting period. The All-Star voting period started at 12:00am (EDT) on April 19, and ends at 11:59pm (EDT) on May 8. Deputy U.S. Marshal Manny Puri began his career with the United States Marshals Service in 1997. Prior to joining the agency, Manny honorably served four years with the United States Coast Guard. His first assignment was at Superior Court in Washington, DC. It was there he received his first taste of fugitive investigations under the tutelage of senior deputies from the D.C. warrant squad. Deputy Puri attributes his successes to the training and experience he had working in D.C. One noteworthy experience of his days in D.C., was working in the America’s Most Wanted Studios. He was one of the first USMS investigators to work in the AMW call center, and played an important role in creating today’s deputy rotations with the program. After serving four years at Superior Court he transferred to the Southern District of New York. Once in New York, one of Manny’s assignments was assisting in the recovery operations at the World Trade Center following the tragic events of September 11th, 2001. Later, Manny began his career in fugitive catching with his full-time assignment to the Southern District of New York’s Warrant Squad. Since being selected to the Squad, Manny has been one of the District’s top fugitive investigators, credited with over 300 arrests. Along with his District responsibilities, Manny serves with the U.S. Marshals New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force (RFTF), where he helps more than 60 federal, state and local agencies catch the most violent fugitives. Manny’s main focus within the RFTF has been the apprehension of convicted unregistered sexual offenders listed on the New York State Parole’s Most Wanted List, as well as the New York State’s Top 100. One notable arrest was that of Francisco Pena who also was named to Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Top 10. Pena was wanted by ICE for illegal reentry and the alleged attempted murder of a police officer.