FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: July 30, 2008 Assistant Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Andrew Deserto (216) 551-6234   U.S. Marshals Task Force Arrests Georgia Fugitive   Warren, OH – Peter J. Elliott, United States Marshal for the Northern District of Ohio, announces the arrest of fugitive Brandon Weaver. The details of the investigation and arrest are below. On July 28th, 2008 the Liberty County (Georgia) Sheriff’s Office filed warrants for Weaver charging him with two counts of Aggravated Sodomy (Rape) involving 14 year old and 17 year old victims. Weaver is originally from the Trumbull County community of Hartford and is an active duty member of the U.S. Army stationed at Fort Stewart, GA. When Weaver became aware of the charges he allegedly stole a vehicle from a fellow soldier and fled to avoid arrest. On July 29th, 2008 a concerned citizen contacted the Warren Police Department to report that Weaver was wanted in Georgia and that he was in the Warren area. Warren officers responded to the location provided, however Weaver was gone prior to officer’s arrival. On July 30th, 2008 members of the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force in Trumbull County initiated an investigation in an attempt to locate Weaver. During the course of the day investigators checked numerous locations and conducted numerous interviews throughout Trumbull and Ashtabula Counties in Ohio and in Mercer County, PA. Investigators learned that Weaver may have been picked up by a family member who is an over the road truck driver and that the truck was scheduled to make a pick up in the Cleveland suburb of Cuyahoga Heights. Marshals in Trumbull County immediately contacted fellow Deputy U.S. Marshals in Cleveland who established surveillance on the pick up location. At approximately 3:45 pm members of the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force located and stopped the truck. Weaver was found in the truck and was arrested with out incident. Weaver is being held in the Cuyahoga County Jail pending extradition to Georgia. Task Force members in Trumbull County located the stolen vehicle and it was towed for safe keeping. An investigation into family members who may have aided Weaver while he was a fugitive is on going and officers anticipate filing charges on these family members in the near future. The Warren Police Department, Warren Township Police Department, and the Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation. 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.