U.S. Marshals-led Operation North Star – Baltimore Targets Violent Criminals

Baltimore, MD – The U.S. Marshals Service has concluded a high-impact fugitive apprehension initiative aimed at combating violent crime in 10 cities with a significant number of homicides and shootings. The Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force (CARFTF), District of Maryland, Baltimore City Police Department, and task force partners led Operation North Star (ONS) throughout the area of Baltimore, MD. Locally, the 30-day initiative resulted in the arrest of 89 fugitives, violent criminals, sex offenders and self-identified gang members.

Throughout the month of June, the U.S. Marshals Service used its broad arrest authority and network of task forces to arrest individuals wanted on charges including 9 for homicide, 20 for attempted murder, 10 for firearms charges, 32 for aggravated assault, 7 for robbery, 4 for drug charges, 3 for sex offenses, 3 for car jackings, and 1 for home invasion. In addition, investigators seized 15 firearms, and more than a kilogram of illegal narcotics.

On June 16, CARFTF members arrested Robert Bakersville, 28, for homicide. At the residence where Bakersville was arrested, a search warrant was conducted and ammunition and parts consistent with building a “ghost gun” were seized.

“Working with our municipal, state, and federal partners and community leaders, we have arrested many violent criminals and repeat offenders during this initiative thereby making it safer for the people of Baltimore City and the state of Maryland,” stated U.S. Marshal Johnny L. Hughes.

"Operation North Star is another successful example of our ongoing partnerships with our local, state and federal partners in removing violent offenders off of our streets," said Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison. "When we are able to coordinate, communicate and share resources among law enforcement agencies, we become stronger. I want to thank the U.S. Marshals Service for their ongoing partnership in apprehending violent criminals and bringing to justice those responsible for violence in our communities."

“I am incredibly thankful for the work done by the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force and our other law enforcement partners. When the District of Maryland established the Silver Shield initiative a few months back, we promised to balance our efforts to accomplish agency missions with our need to better serve the public. During Operation North Star, we did just that, said Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Mathew Silverman. “Not only did we arrest dozens of violent offenders, but we also worked diligently to do this as a community partnership. This nationwide operation represents a step forward for the U.S. Marshals Service.”

The concept behind interagency law enforcement operations such as Operation North Star evolved largely from regional and district task forces. Since the 1980s, the Marshals Service has combined their resources and expertise with local, state, and federal agencies to find and apprehend dangerous fugitives. Operation North Star continued this tradition.

Agencies participating in Operation North Star included: U.S. Marshals Service; Baltimore City Police Department; Baltimore City Sheriff’s Office; Baltimore County Police Department; Maryland State Police; the Department of Homeland Security Investigations; FBI; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Howard County Police; Maryland Transportation Authority Police; Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services; Annapolis Police Department; Anne Arundel County Police Department; Carroll County Sheriff’s Office; Frederick County Sheriff’s Office; Frederick City Police; Maryland Department of Probation and Parole; and Cecil County Sheriff’s Office.

The Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force is a congressionally supported multi-agency task force whose mission is to focus resources and efforts on the reduction of violence within the National Capital Region through the identification, investigation, and apprehension of fugitives wanted for egregious crimes against the community, while ensuring the application of equal Justice, Integrity, and Service for all.