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Philadelphia, PA – 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 14-20. Led by the
United States Marshals Service, Operation FALCON
2008 netted 227 arrests within the Eastern District
of Pennsylvania.
Operation FALCON 2008 combined the collective
efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies in one
of the area’s largest-ever fugitive initiatives,
focusing on capturing individuals wanted on felony
charges including sexual predators and fugitives
wanted for crimes of violence. Over the course of
the seven-day operation, Deputy U.S. Marshals,
teamed with federal, state, and local law
enforcement partners, arrested 227 fugitives,
including 26 sex offenders, and cleared 266 warrants
in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
The case of two fugitives now behind bars is one
example of the successful cases closed during this
operation. Daniel Johnson and Darnell Lee were
captured on June 14th in the 4400 block of Holden
St. in Philadelphia by U.S. Marshals and Operation
FALCON personnel. Johnson was charged by the
Philadelphia Police Department with two homicides
and by Harrisburg Police Department for another
murder. He was also wanted for questioning in two
additional murders that occurred in Philadelphia
earlier this year. Johnson also had four warrants
for firearms violations and one warrant for robbery.
Lee was charged by Philadelphia PD for a homicide he
allegedly committed with Johnson on June 3rd, and
also had an outstanding warrant for narcotics
violations. Investigators developed information that
placed both men at the same location and arrested
them without incident. They were among the most
wanted fugitives in the City of Philadelphia.
U.S. Marshal Gary E. Shovlin of the Eastern District
of Pennsylvania praised that arrest and the
operation’s success.
“The capture of Johnson and Lee exemplifies the
types of wanted felons targeted during Operation
FALCON 2008. It is these types of individuals that
need to be taken off the streets to contribute to
the safety and welfare of all the citizens of
Philadelphia. The success of that case and the
entire operation is a testament to results that can
be achieved when all law enforcement agencies pool
their resources and focus on a common goal,” said
Marshal Shovlin.
Operation FALCON 2008 consisted of approximately 100
federal, state, and local law enforcement officers,
making up eight 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.
“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.”
Agencies contributing to Operation FALCON 2008 were
the Philadelphia Police Department, the Philadelphia
District Attorney’s Office, Pennsylvania State
Police, Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole,
Philadelphia/Camden HIDTA, Bureau of Immigration and
Customs Enforcement, Veterans Affairs-OIG, Drug
Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of
Investigation, Department of Health and Human
Services OIG, US Attorney’s Office, Department of
State Diplomatic Security Services, First Judicial
District of Philadelphia Warrant Unit, Darby
Township Police Department, Upper Chichester Police
Department, Aston Police Department, Yeadon Borough
Police Department, Chester Twp. Police Department,
Chester City Police Department, Brookhaven Police
Department, Clifton Heights Police Department, Aldan
Police Department, Lansdowne Police Department,
Morton Borough Police Department, Nether Providence
Township Police Department, Darby Borough Police
Department, Sharon Hill Police Department, Delaware
County Criminal Investigations Division, Media
Borough Police Department, Ridley Park Police
Department, Folcroft police Department, Collingdale
Police Department, Delaware County Sheriff’s Office,
Pennsylvania Constable’s Office, Northampton County
Sheriff’s Office, Berks County District Attorney’s
Office, Berks County Sheriff’s Office, Lancaster
City Police Department, and the Lancaster County
Sheriff’s Office.
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 Operation FALCON, visit
http://www.usmarshals.gov/falcon08/media.htm.
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