U.S. Marshals National Operation Nets More Than 190 Fugitives in Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA – The U.S. Marshals Service has conducted a high-impact fugitive apprehension initiative focusing on the country’s most violent offenders in 10 cities.

This 30-day initiative, called Operation North Star (ONS), resulted in the arrest of 192 fugitives, gang members, sex offenders and violent criminals in the Los Angeles City area.

“This operation is an example of the strong partnership between the U.S. Marshals and local law enforcement,” said U.S. Marshal David Singer of the Central District of California. “Operation North Star has made our communities safer, by removing some of the most violent criminals from the streets of our communities.”

Operation North Star was concentrated on fugitives with arrest warrants, wanted for the most serious, violent, and harmful offenses such as homicide, forcible sexual assault, robbery, or aggravated assault.

The cities selected were Indianapolis, New Orleans, New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Memphis, Houston, Chicago, and Los Angeles, each of which has seen a large increase in recent homicides and shootings.

Between June 1st and June 30th, the U.S. Marshals Service used its multi-jurisdictional investigative authority and fugitive task force network to arrest 1,500 individuals, nationally, amongst the participating cities, including 230 for homicide and 131 for sexual offenses. In addition, investigators seized 166 firearms, $53,600 in currency, and more than 33 kilograms of illegal narcotics.

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.

“The Marshals remain committed to assisting state and local law enforcement with reducing violent crime in our most vulnerable communities,” said U.S. Marshals Service Director Ronald Davis. “Operation North Star was focused on areas where local law enforcement has seen a large number of homicides and shootings. By partnering with our local and state partners, we are able to hone in on the most dangerous criminals who cause the most harm. I’m very proud to lead an agency that is always willing and ready to do the work necessary to quell the violence affecting so many of our cities.”