Dallas, TX – Following on the success of previous national and local FALCON initiatives, the U.S. Marshals Service for the Northern District of Texas conducted another successful Operation FALCON (Federal and Local Cops Organized Nationally) from June 24-30. Operation FALCON – North Texas main focus was capturing individuals wanted on felony charges including sexual predators and fugitives wanted for crimes of violence. Utilizing the Marshals Service District Task Force, the Dallas Fort Worth Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (DFW FAST), as the platform to coordinate Operation FALCON, the mission was the most successful FALCON thus far in the North Texas area. Over the course of the seven-day operation, Deputy U.S. Marshals, teamed with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, arrested 444 fugitives clearing 573 felony warrants.

“While the Marshals are often the public face of Operation FALCON, we have been extremely fortunate that all of our federal, state and local partners continue to wholeheartedly and enthusiastically come together to make this work,” said John F. Clark, Director of the U.S. Marshals Service. “With their exceptional assistance, Operation FALCON continues to be the largest and most successful fugitive apprehension effort in U.S. Marshals history.”

Operation FALCON – North Texas consisted of approximately 165 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers, making up thirty separate arrest teams working throughout the seven-day period. Each participating local officer was sworn in as a Special Deputy U.S. Marshal immediately prior to the start of this operation. This special authority empowered them to cross traditional lines of jurisdiction to track down and arrest targeted fugitives throughout the week.

“I want to thank the executives that made it possible for us to assemble over 165 law enforcement officers from over 45 agencies. Operation FALCON – North Texas has indeed been our most ambitious undertaking to date. Because of that, the professionalism and dedication of these officers was instrumental in allowing us to achieve the greatest number of arrests in North Texas since the operation began. By thinking smarter and working more effectively with our partners from the local, county, state, and federal level we have made a significant difference in making our communities safer from violent crime, “ said United States Marshal Randy Ely.

Participating agencies contributing to Operation FALCON – North Texas included police departments from the cities of Abilene, Alvarado, Arlington, Burleson, Cleburne, Commerce, Dallas, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Greenville, Rowlett, San Angelo., Terrell and Weatherford, in addition to the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Police. Sheriffs Departments from Dallas, Hunt, Kaufman, Johnson, Lubbock, Navarro, Tarrant, Taylor and Tom Green counties. Abilene and San Angelo City Marshal Offices, Dallas City Attorney and Kaufman County District Attorney CID, Dallas County Adult Probation Department, Kaufman County Constables also assisted during the operation. State agencies included the Texas Rangers, Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Federal agencies included the BATF, DEA, FBI, ICE, USSS, Department of Health & Human Services OIG, Department of Veterans Affairs OIG, Housing & Urban Development OIG, US Border Patrol and the United States Marshals Service.

Since its inception in 2005, Operation FALCON has made over 54,500 arrests and cleared over 68,800 warrants. It continues to be the largest and most successful fugitive apprehension effort in U.S. Marshals history.

For more information about Operation FALCON, visit http://www.usmarshals.gov/falcon08/media.htm.

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