For Immediate Release

Kahalui, HI – On August 12, 2011 at approximately 3:00pm, a major fugitive wanted on outstanding state charges for attempted murder, promoting dangerous drugs, reckless driving of a vehicle, possession of a firearm in the commission of a separate felony and reckless endangering has been arrested by a team of law enforcement officers.

Josiah Okudara, 22, was being sought on warrants issued by Judge Joel August charging Okudara with two counts of attempted murder and promoting dangerous drugs in the second degree. The charges against Okudara stemmed from an incident in July 2010, when he knowingly and willfully shot at five passengers in a vehicle in Wailuku. An individual was wounded as a result.  After the shooting, Okudara led Maui Police officers on a high speed pursuit before he was arrested. He was released pending further investigation. After learning of the warrants, Okudara has since eluded police on several occasions. Okudara was considered armed and dangerous with an extensive criminal history dating to 2007.

Law enforcement officers tracked Okudara to 191 Opukea Street in Kahalui. As officers closed in on the residence, Okudara ran into the house subsequently barricading himself for more than two days. Okudara surrendered peacefully when he voluntarily walked out of the house.

U.S. Marshal Gervin Miyamoto stated, “The corner stone of Hawaii’s law enforcement is our lokahi with all of Hawaii’s law enforcement. In this case the effective collaboration of Maui Police Department, State Sheriffs, and the U.S. Marshals worked together to ensure that a dangerous career criminal is no longer a danger to our community. We are thankful no one was hurt and the safety of the community greatly considered. The end result is a dangerous person will now face the consequences of our criminal justice system.”

On March 16, 2011, the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney- County of Maui requested the assistance of the U.S. Marshals in the location and apprehension of Okudara. Through a collaborative effort, Okudara was arrested and taken into custody pending further court proceedings. Bail for all accounts is set at $550,000.

Additional information about the U.S. Marshals can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov.

####

America's Oldest Federal Law Enforcement Agency