U.S. MARSHALS & LOUISIANA AG OFFICE ARREST FUGITIVE IN GA WANTED FOR OVER HALF A MILLION DOLLARS IN POST-KATRINA CONTRACTOR FRAUD

U.S. Marshals in Georgia, along with the Euharlee Police Department and the Barton County Sheriff’s Office, arrested Terry Ferguson near his home in Euharlee, Georgia last night. Ferguson was wanted by the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office for sixteen (16) counts of contractor fraud totaling over $500,000.00. The victims, fifteen from Orleans Parish and one from Jefferson Parish, had an average loss of over $30,000.00.

On September 9, 2007, investigators with the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office contacted the U.S. Marshals Crescent Star Fugitive Task Force in New Orleans requesting assistance in locating Ferguson. Investigators quickly developed information that the subject was back in Georgia. That information was forwarded to the U.S. Marshals South Eastern Regional Fugitive Task Force based in Atlanta. Deputy Marshals and local authorities were able to track down Ferguson and arrest him without incident not far from his residence. Ferguson is currently in the Barton County Jail, Georgia, pending extradition to Louisiana.

United States Marshal Michael Credo stated, “we feel it’s imperative to bring to justice persons accused of stealing critical funds from citizens attempting to rebuild their homes in our community”.

The U.S. Marshals sponsored Crescent Star Fugitive Task Force includes law enforcement officers from the New Orleans Police Department, Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff’s Office, St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana Probation and Parole, St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Border Patrol, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Bogalusa Police Department, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Social Security Office of the Inspector General. Other area law enforcement agencies also assist CSFTF in fugitive investigations on a case by case basis.