Washington – U.S. Marshals arrested 15 Most Wanted fugitive Luc Pierre-Charles Jr., last night in Rockledge, Fla. His capture marks the 200th Most Wanted fugitive arrested in the program’s 25-year history.

Investigators from the U.S. Marshals Service in Tampa and Orlando employed extensive investigative tools to track down Pierre-Charles. Working on information received from the Pasco County area indicating he was in contact with family members in the Cocoa area, U.S. Marshals deployed to bring the fugitive to justice.

Once U.S. Marshals arrived in the area, they located and questioned one of the fugitive’s known associates. Information received from the associate led U.S. Marshals to the house of one of Pierre-Charles’ relatives. Pierre-Charles was found hiding under a bed and refused to comply with commands to surrender. A brief struggle ensued and U.S. Marshals deployed less-lethal measures to subdue the fugitive. Pierre-Charles was transported to the Brevard County Jail where he is currently housed.

“Luc Pierre-Charles Jr., was captured and returned to justice through the dedicated efforts of law enforcement officers who would not let one of America’s most violent fugitives rest,” said Director John F. Clark of the U.S. Marshals Service. “Pierre-Charles’ capture ends his reign of terror over his local community and hopefully brings some comfort to the families of his victims.”

In July 2006, the bodies of two high school lacrosse players were found lying side-by-side, facedown, murdered execution-style, miles from their suburban homes near Orlando. They had been shot from behind multiple times. In August, 20-year-old Pierre-Charles Jr., a suspect sought in connection with the student slayings, was added to the U.S. Marshals 15 Most Wanted fugitives list after Pasco County officials turned to the U.S. Marshals to help with a nationwide pursuit.

“The capture of this dangerous fugitive was a collaborative effort by the Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force comprised of U.S. Marshals and Florida state and local law enforcement agencies,” said U.S. Marshal Thomas D. Hurlburt Jr. “We recently demonstrated the value of a regional task force with Operation Orange Crush, and we didn’t stop when the operation concluded. The task force continues to make the streets of Florida a safer place for all our citizens.”

Pierre-Charles was wanted by the U.S. Marshals and Florida authorities on multiple charges including: murder in the 1st degree – two counts; armed home invasion; aggravated assault; battery on a police officer, and; unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the U.S. Marshals 15 Most Wanted fugitive list. During that time, 200 of 212 fugitives on the list have been found, leading to the convictions of some of the nation’s most violent felons.

     Original News Release

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