Richmond, VA – Following a four-year tradition of success in its national efforts, the U.S. Marshals Service locally conducted another successful Operation FALCON (Federal and Local Cops Organized Nationally) from June 9-13. Led by the U.S. Marshals Service, Operation FALCON 2008 targeted fugitives wanted throughout the Richmond area with an emphasis on violent offenders, gang members and sex offenders.

Operation FALCON 2008 in the Richmond region combined the collective efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies in another highly successful fugitive initiative. Over the course of the five-day operation, Deputy U.S. Marshals, teamed with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners and arrested 53 fugitives.

“Operation FALCON was a highly successful operation getting criminals off the streets with minimal costs, while reinforcing close knit ties with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners,” said John R. Hackman, U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Virginia. “I am confident that this operation has had an impact on the safety and security of our community, and I look forward to similar combined law enforcement efforts.”

Charles Henry, Jr. (34) was charged by the Petersburg Police Department with Abduction and Indecent Liberties of a Minor. The charges stem from the alleged sexual assault of a 16 year old girl. FALCON teams working with investigators from the Petersburg Police Department located and arrested Henry without incident on the final day of the operation.

Tyson Mason (23), an alleged member of the Broad Rock Boys street gang, was arrested for violation of probation based on a previous conviction for Distribution of Cocaine in the City of Richmond. As FALCON team members approached Mason’s residence, Mason exited the residence through a bedroom window and led team members on a 200 yard foot chase. Mason was arrested after a brief standoff from the roof of a neighbor’s house, which he had managed to climb up on.

The final arrests of the sweep were especially rewarding. Jessie Young, Jr. (18) was wanted by the Richmond Police Department for his role in the shooting death of 14 year old Deshun Taylor, who died on June 11th after being shot while walking to a store. A small team of Richmond Detectives and FALCON task force officers tracked Young and some of his associates from Richmond to New York City on Friday afternoon. They contacted the U.S. Marshals Service fugitive task force in New York City with the information at approximately 2:00pm. Later that afternoon, Marshals located and arrested one of Young’s associates on an unrelated warrant after he attempted to escape by climbing onto scaffolding attached to the rear of the building. At approximately 8:00pm, U.S. Marshals located Young at a Queens apartment where he was arrested after being found hiding in a back bedroom.

“From the outset, Operation FALCON has proved how much can be accomplished when we combine resources at the federal, state and local levels,” said John F. Clark, Director of the U.S. Marshals Service. “This operation is not possible without the unique talents and dedication that each participating agency brings to the table.”

Over 30 federal, state and local law enforcement officers worked tirelessly during the preparation and apprehension phases of this five day operation. The U.S. Marshals Service would like to recognize the outstanding efforts of our regional partners in the Richmond area:

FALCON 2008 Participating Agencies: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General, Richmond Police Department, Chesterfield County Police Department, Henrico County Police Department, Virginia State Police, Virginia Department of Corrections, Virginia Probation and Parole and the Petersburg Bureau of Police.

Since its inception in 2005, Operation FALCON has made over 36,500 arrests and cleared over 45,300 warrants. It continues to be the largest and most successful fugitive apprehension effort in U.S. Marshals history.

For more information about the U.S. Marshals Service, visit http://www.usmarshals.gov.
 

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