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TULSA – 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 2 –7. Operation FALCON is a fugitive apprehension
operation combining the resources of federal, state, city and county law
enforcement agencies to locate and apprehend criminals wanted for crimes of
violence.
Operation FALCON 2008 – Tulsa 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, gang members, fugitives wanted for various
crimes and crimes of violence. Over the course of the five-day operation,
Deputy U.S. Marshals, teamed with federal, state, and local law enforcement
partners, arrested 350 fugitives including 35 sexual offenders, 111 narcotic
arrests, and 24 weapon violation arrests. During the operation, 10 firearms
were seized and more than 100 grams of Methamphetamine, Cocaine, and
Marijuana were also seized.
“Operation FALCON is a clear indication that when the U.S. Marshals Service
combines its resources with our state and local law enforcement counterparts
to a common mission, the success is remarkable,” said U.S. Marshal Timothy
Welch of the Northern District of Oklahoma. “Operation FALCON continues to
display that federal, state, and local law enforcement officers work well as
a collective team in getting some of the ‘worst of the worst’ off our
streets,” Welch said.
“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 – Tulsa consisted of over 184 federal, state, and local law
enforcement officers, making up 30 separate arrest teams working throughout
the five-day period. Each participating local officer was sworn in as a
Special Deputy U.S. Marshal immediately prior to the start of the operation.
This special authority empowered them to cross traditional lines of
jurisdiction to track down and arrest targeted fugitives throughout the
week.
Agencies contributing to Tulsa’s Operation FALCON included the U.S. Marshals
Service, Tulsa Police Department, ATF, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Postal
Inspectors, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma Department of Corrections, Tulsa County
Sheriffs Office, Skiatook Police Department, Claremore Police Department,
Catoosa Police Department, Bixby Police Department, Rogers County Sheriffs
Office, Rogers County D.A.’s Office, Keifer Police Department, Sand Springs
Police Department, Sapulpa Police Department, Creek County Sheriffs Office,
Mayes County Sheriffs Office, Craig County Sheriffs Office, Disney Police
Department, and Spavinaw Police Department.
Since its inception in 2005, Operation FALCON has made over 36,500 arrests
and cleared more than 45,300 warrants. It continues to be the largest and
most successful fugitive apprehension effort in U.S. Marshals history.
Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service, visit
http://www.usmarshals.gov .
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