FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: February 08, 2008 Phill Maxwell, Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal USMS Midland (432) 686-4100   U.S. Marshals Arrest Murder Suspect Geechie Devaine Templeton   MIDLAND – This morning, U.S. Marshals and members of the Topeka, Kansas Police Department arrested Geechie Devaine Templeton at an apartment complex in Topeka, Kansas. Templeton was wanted for the November 9th, 2007 murder of Gabriel Hernandez in Odessa. On that night, Odessa Police Officers located Hernandez’ body inside a pickup in the 900 block of 31st street after receiving a call of shots fired. Investigation by detectives revealed that Templeton was the suspect in the shooting, and a warrant for 1st degree murder was issued for Templeton’s arrest on December 3rd. Odessa Police requested assistance from the U.S. Marshal’s Lone Star Fugitive Task Force in Midland to locate and arrest Templeton. U.S. Marshals were able to track Templeton in west Texas and south east New Mexico, and then to Topeka, Kansas. The task force began working with the U.S. Marshals in Topeka, who were able to isolate Templeton’s location at an extended-stay motel, where he had registered there under an assumed name. After hours of surveillance, the U.S. Marshals and Topeka Police entered Templeton’s motel room and arrested him without incident. Police found him to be in possession of a loaded handgun and a large amount of cash. LaFayette Collins, U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Texas stated, “Our partners at the state and local level give us the ability to track down and arrest dangerous fugitives in every part of the country every day. It doesn’t matter if it’s Odessa, Texas or Topeka, Kansas, fugitives will be captured and brought to justice.”