Week-Long Fugitive Operation Conducted in Multnomah County

Portland, OR – The United States Marshals Service, Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force, in coordination with the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office (MCSO), Multnomah County's Department of Community Justice (Parole and Probation), Gresham Police Department, Portland Police Bureau, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) conducted Operation Safer Multnomah, a U.S. Marshals-led initiative that targeted violent fugitives, focused efforts to reduce street level criminal activity, & identify and arrest criminal suspects involved in recent shootings. As a result, 24 arrests were made during the five-day operation from June 7-11, 2022. This operation was a massive undertaking, completed with the help of multiple law enforcement agencies and personnel assisting with investigations and arrests.

The individuals who were targeted and arrested were wanted for serious violent charges including murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, and assaults. Law enforcement personnel combed through hundreds of local, state, and federal warrants to search for the most dangerous offenders in the Multnomah County area. Over 30 law enforcement members assisted in this operation. This law enforcement partnership, with full support of Multnomah County Sheriff Mike Reese and Acting U.S. Marshal for Oregon Pete Cajigal, focused on reducing community violence by targeting individuals involved in criminal activity that has directly led to the increase in violent crime in the county.

"By pooling our resources, we can remove offenders who have shown the highest propensity of violence and disregard for human life, and hold them accountable for the crimes they have committed," Sheriff Mike Reese said. "We are dedicated to creating safe and thriving communities for everyone, and collaborative missions such as this, is one way to reach our goal."

“This operation exemplifies the effectiveness of working together as a team for the benefit of our citizens. I am proud of the Deputy Marshals, task force officers and our local law enforcement partners for the work they did this week, and for what they do every day. The results of this operation are indicative of the high level of law enforcement cooperation we enjoy here in the state of Oregon, and we hope the effort this week in Multnomah County will demonstrate to our citizens what these men and women do every day to keep them safe.” said U.S. Marshal Pete Cajigal.

Operational Stats:

• 24 fugitives arrested: 3 wanted for attempt murder by shooting, 1 pending a federal drug overdose death, 3 pending federal prosecution for possession of firearms and narcotics.
• 21 firearms: 9 reported stolen, 3 ghost guns, 1 silencer seized (homemade)
• 3 pounds of methamphetamine
• 19 grams of heroin
• 449 fentanyl pills

Notable Arrests:

• Jimmy Pearce, age 35, was wanted by the Washington County Sheriff's Office as a suspect in a 2017 homicide that occurred at the Xpose Club, located at 10270 SW Canyon Road in Beaverton, OR. He was located near SE Bush Street and SE 112 Avenue in Portland and was arrested without incident. Warrants include Murder in the Second Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
• Andrey Mazur, age 32, was wanted for more than 36 armed robberies throughout the Portland and Vancouver, Washington metro area. With the assistance of Portland Police Special Emergency Response Team, Mr. Mazur was safely taken into custody after an hours-long standoff. During the standoff, Mr. Mazur cut his hair to change his appearance. A handgun recovered in the lawn outside of the Jantzen Beach residence is alleged to have been thrown there by Mazur. Mazur is a convicted felon.
• Alexander Barber, age 27, was wanted for federal charges stemming from theft of more than 35 firearms from a licensed dealer and felon in possession of a firearm. Mr. Barber was arrested after being located hiding in the attic of a Portland residence. During the operation, law enforcement was able to locate and recover eight of the stolen firearms in this case through search warrants.

Agencies who participated: U.S. Marshals Service, Multnomah County Sheriff's Office (MCSO), Multnomah County's Department of Community Justice (Parole and Probation), Portland Police Bureau, Gresham Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, Washington County Sheriff's Office, and Oregon State Police.

Nationally, the U.S. Marshals Service fugitive apprehension efforts are carried out with local law enforcement in 94 district offices, 85 local fugitive task forces, 8 regional task forces, as well as a growing network of offices in foreign countries.

The U.S. Marshals Oregon Fugitive Task Force is comprised of investigators from the U.S. Marshals Service, Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, Washington County Sheriff's Office, Portland Police Bureau, and the Oregon State Police. The Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force is comprised of U.S. Marshals Service investigators from the Districts of Alaska, Oregon, Eastern Washington, and Western Washington.