FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: November 19, 2008 James Wahlrab, U.S. Marshal (937) 225-2917   Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST) Celebrates One Year Anniversary in Dayton   James M. Wahlrab, United States Marshal for the Southern District of Ohio, announced the successful one year anniversary in October 2008 of the Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST) in Dayton, Ohio. SOFAST is a U.S. Marshals lead fugitive task force comprised of deputies and officers from 20 local and state law enforcement agencies and covers the greater Miami Valley which includes Champaign, Clark, Darke, Greene, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, and Shelby counties. SOFAST has made a tremendous impact by arresting the area’s most wanted fugitives. Over the past year, SOFAST has arrested 895 fugitives, clearing more than 1,191 federal and state felony warrants and 250 misdemeanor warrants. The task force is also responsible for taking more than 56 firearms off the streets and various amounts of illegal narcotics. U.S. Marshal Wahlrab credits the success of SOFAST to the outstanding dedication and commitment of the officers and deputies serving on the strike team and the leadership of the participating agencies heads for their commitment of manpower and resources. Dayton Police Chief Richard S. Biehl stated: “On January 10, 2008, the City of Dayton renewed its commitment to the collaborative effort with the United States Marshals Service, the United States Attorney’s Office and other local and state law enforcement agencies in the Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST). This multi-agency task force has worked tirelessly at taking violent fugitives off the streets of Dayton and surrounding communities. This year in Dayton alone, over 200 fugitives have been apprehended by members of SOFAST. The Dayton Police Department and the citizens of Dayton can rightfully take great pride in the efforts and dedication of the members of SOFAST at having a profound impact on making the streets of Dayton and the Miami Valley safer.” With a year’s worth of experience and more agencies continuing to join the task force, SOFAST is looking forward to an even more successful second year. U.S. Marshal Wahlrab noted that although SOFAST is receiving significant media attention and recognition for their accomplishments, it is the community that is receiving the greatest benefit. “With this many fugitives being taken off the streets, the community should feel comfortable knowing that a large team of men and women, dedicated to making their communities safe, are doing everything they can to bring wanted fugitives to justice. They should be commended for a job well done,” Wahlrab said. Some of the more notable apprehensions by SOFAST include John Chapman who was wanted by the Ohio Adult Parole for violations of parole after being convicted for conspiracy and drug trafficking. He had been on the run since 1991. When Chapman was apprehended at the Wilmington residence he was renting, he had numerous false IDs, drugs, and $60,000 in cash. Another fugitive caught by SOFAST was Raymond McDaniel who was wanted by the Dayton Police Department for Felonious Assault with a Deadly Weapon. After receiving information about McDaniel’s whereabouts, task force officers surrounding the Dayton apartment complex where they believed he was staying. When McDaniel realized there was no way out, he surrendered without incident. Upon searching the apartment, task force officers found a large quantity of drugs, 5 weapons and over $8,000 cash. SOFAST has been especially active in Springfield and Clark County. Clark County Sheriff Gene Kelly stated, “I believe our participation with the SOFAST task force has had a direct impact on crime in the county. Crime is down over 9% this year alone.” According to U.S. Marshal Wahlrab this is a familiar comment by all of our local sheriffs and police chiefs. “SOFAST is working and we intend to keep the heat on fugitives in the area,” Wahlrab said. SOFAST in the Miami Valley area is comprised of the following federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies: United States Marshals Service, U.S. Attorney’s Office, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Department of Agriculture, OIG, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Darke County Sheriff’s Office, Preble County Sheriff’s Office, Miami County Sheriff’s Office, Greene County Prosecutor’s Office, Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office, Dayton Police Department, German Township Police Department, Germantown Police Department, Greenville Police Department, Miamisburg Police Department, Moraine Police Department, New Lebanon Police Department, Perry Township Police Department, Springfield Police Department, Trotwood Police Department The U.S. Marshals Service is America’s first federal law enforcement agency and each year arrests more fugitives than all other federal law enforcement agencies combined. For more information about the U.S. Marshals Service, please visit www.usmarshals.gov.