U.S. Marshals Arrest Fugitive Wanted for Acts Committed During Violent Riots in Atlanta

Atlanta, GA – The U.S. Marshals Service Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force announced today the arrest of Dramerius Jeffries who was wanted on several outstanding arrest warrants charging him with crimes such as Arson, Inciting a Riot, Reckless Conduct, Criminal Damage to Property, Willful Obstruction to Law Enforcement, and Use of Threats or Violence. Jeffries was arrested on Wednesday June 25, 2020, at an apartment complex in Atlanta, GA.

The U. S. Marshals received a request for assistance from the Atlanta Police Department concerning Jeffries on June 4. Included in the request for assistance were numerous photos of Jeffries standing on top of a burning Atlanta Police car brandishing a stolen Atlanta Police riot shield and standing on top of the defaced CNN sign. The Officers who witnessed him committing the felonies were unable to arrest him at the scene as Jeffries was surrounded by a violent mob.

Jim Joyner, Commander of the task force, stated "We are particularly happy to have been asked for assistance by the Atlanta Police Department with this case. If needed discussions and conversations between the community and law enforcement are to be had, acts such as what Jeffries is charged with only impede them. Like the peaceful protesters, I pray that justice will be served by our system in the George Floyd case. A Judge and Jury will decide what that justice is. I would hope the peaceful protesters pray for the same in this case. The crimes that Jeffries is charged with unrightfully taint the message of those peaceful protesters".

The U. S. Marshals Service Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force was created by the Presidential Threat Protection Act of 2000. Congress recognized the U. S. Marshals expertise in tracking and apprehending dangerous fugitives and ordered the creation of regional fugitive task forces in core cities throughout the country. Via this mandate, Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force was created in 2003 and has offices in Atlanta, Macon, and Savannah to assist state, county, and local agencies as a central investigative base to identify, locate and apprehend dangerous offenders.