Cleveland, OH – In the early morning of July 28, 2008, the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force apprehended Willie Davis on East 82nd Avenue in Cleveland. Davis was wanted by the Cleveland Police Department for multiple charges of Rape of a minor. Davis has as extensive criminal history which includes offenses for breaking and entering, aggravated burglary and domestic violence.

On Sunday, July 27, 2008, Davis was profiled in The Plain Dealer in Cleveland as the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force’s Fugitive of the Week. The Task Force received an anonymous tip that Davis was living at a residence on East 82nd Avenue. Task Force Officers entered the residence this morning at approximately 9:38 AM and located Davis hiding in an attic closet. Davis was apprehended and arrested without incident.

A short while later this morning a call was received by members of the Task Force from Dwayne Gedson. Gedson, another recent Fugitive of the Week candidate was calling to arrange a meeting place to turn himself in. After an exhaustive search, which began a few weeks ago by the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force, closed all the doors of assistance that Gedson was opening, he (Gedson) realized that the hunt would never end and felt it would be in his best interest to turn himself in. Gedson was being sought by the Cleveland Police Department as well for felonious assault. It is alleged that Gedson was involved in the brutal beating of a female victim which left her in need of facial reconstructive surgery. Gedson was profiled in The Plain Dealer in Cleveland as the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force’s Fugitive of the Week on Sunday July 20, 2008.

Criminal Investigator U.S. Marshal Brian Koerbel states, “It’s truly a testament to the citizens of Cleveland which makes this such a highly successful program. These people desperately want to take their communities back from the stranglehold that crime has put on them. By forming a solid bond between law enforcement, the media, and the community at large these types of individuals that prey upon the weaker members of society can and will to be brought to justice for the heinous acts they commit.”

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of a known fugitive is encouraged to contact the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at: 1-866-4-WANTED. Callers may remain anonymous.

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force in Cuyahoga County is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies: U.S. Marshals Service, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Cleveland Police Department, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department, Lakewood Police Department, Linndale Police Department, Office of Inspector General, Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General, U.S. Coast Guard, Social Security Administration and the State of Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification.