Salt Lake City, UT – Following a four-year tradition of success in its national efforts, the U.S. Marshals Service conducted another successful Operation FALCON (Federal and Local Cops Organized Nationally) from June 16-20. FALCON 2008 targeted fugitives throughout the state wanted for violent crimes, sex offenses, narcotics violations and other felonies.

This was the largest of the four Operation FALCONs to take place in Utah. Over the course of this five-day initiative, 161 individuals were arrested and 201 warrants were cleared. Additionally, three firearms (2 handguns, 1 shotgun) and a substantial amount of methamphetamine, marijuana and crack cocaine were taken off the streets of Utah.

Each year, the number of law enforcement agencies participating in this fugitive round-up has increased. To accomplish the goals of Operation FALCON, the U.S. Marshals summoned the assistance of their law enforcement partners through the use of the Joint Criminal Apprehension Team (JCAT). Known throughout the state, JCAT is a Marshals led, multi-agency fugitive unit composed of officers who work together in a coordinated effort to locate and arrest fugitives. Their combined individual strengths, resources, investigative techniques and cohesiveness resulted in this year’s successful Operation FALCON. This year, there were officers from 35 federal, state, county and city law enforcement agencies who worked tirelessly in an effort to make Utah safer by taking these criminals into custody.

Highlights of this week’s Operation FALCON include the arrests of two individuals wanted for homicide and attempted homicide. Stephen Villiard, 19, was wanted in the attempted homicide stemming from when he allegedly fired three rounds from a handgun in the parking lot of the Jordan Landing complex. At the time of the arrest, Villiard had a gun and attempted to retrieve it from his pocket when officers subdued him and made the arrest. It is believed to be the weapon used in the attempted homicide. In a separate case, a juvenile male was arrested for a homicide that took place earlier that day in Arizona. In the early morning hours of June 20, the juvenile allegedly stabbed another juvenile, killing him, and fled the scene. The investigation in Arizona led authorities to believe that the suspect had fled to Utah. At approximately 10:00 p.m. the same day, JCAT officers in Utah tracked him down and arrested him in Salt Lake City.

Other arrests this week included those of Daniel Perez and Ashley Severance from St. George. Their warrants, originating out of the Washington County Drug Court for possession of meth and heroin, led JCAT officers to a large apartment complex in the area. Perez’ arrest took place in an apartment where the occupants had installed a surveillance camera outside their third-story apartment allowing them to observe the approach of law enforcement officers from the parking area. The image was then projected on to a large screen television in the front room of the apartment. Much to the chagrin of Perez, JCAT officers were still able to affect the arrest. Severance was arrested when she was located hiding in the closet at the apartment of a relative.

“We are lucky here in Utah in that all the law enforcement agencies work so well together. It’s good for the public to see that and to know that we are working hard to keep their neighborhoods safe. During this week’s Operation FALCON, I actually had a couple of individuals come up and thank us for our work, after we arrested one of their troublesome neighbors,” said Chief Deputy Jim Thompson.

Since its inception in 2005, Operation FALCON has made over 36,500 arrests and cleared over 45,300 warrants nationwide. 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 and Operation FALCON 2008, including photos, please visit http://www.usmarshals.gov/falcon08/media.htm.

Participating law enforcement agencies in FALCON 2008 and JCAT included:

The Sheriff’s Offices of Salt Lake, Weber, Davis, Summit, Wasatch, Utah, Iron, Washington, Cache, Box Elder, Grand, Carbon and Beaver counties.

The Police Departments of West Valley City, West Jordan, South Salt Lake, Draper, Sandy, Taylorsville, Midvale, Park City, Payson, Pleasant Grove, Clinton, Harrisville, St. George, Richfield, Price and the Granite School District.

State agencies included the Utah Adult Probation and Parole, the Utah Attorney General’s Office and the Utah Department of Public Safety.

Federal agencies included the U.S. Marshals Service, the ATF, ICE and the HUD-Office of Inspector General.
 

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