U.S. Marshals Service Operation “Cold Pursuit” Results in the Arrest of Over 20 Non-Compliant Sex Offenders From NJ

Newark, NJ – The U.S. Marshals Service has concluded a month-long enforcement initiative focusing on the location and arrest of non-compliant sex offenders with active warrants for failure to register. This enforcement initiative, named Operation “Cold Pursuit,” resulted in the arrest of over 20 convicted sex offenders in Union and Essex counites and included several offenders located out-of-state.

“Registration laws exist to protect communities, and failing to comply is a serious risk to public safety,” said Juan Mattos Jr., U.S. Marshal for the District of New Jersey.

“Unregistered sex offenders operate in the shadows, and our job is to bring them into the light before they can do more harm.”

During Operation “Cold Pursuit,” the District of New Jersey and the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force focused on a specific group of offenders with older warrants, who failed to comply with registration requirements.  In addition, Operation “Cold Pursuit” generated leads for sex offenders who traveled out-of-state and are in possible violation of the Adam Walsh Act and facing new charges.

“Sex offender registration isn’t optional – it’s the law,” said Mattos. “Those who fail to comply aren’t just slipping through the cracks; they’re deliberately hiding and putting communities at risk.  The U.S. Marshals Service will find them, hold them accountable, and continue to serve and protect the innocent at all costs.”

The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, provides that the Attorney General shall use the resources of Federal law enforcement, including the United States Marshals Service, to assist jurisdictions in locating and apprehending sex offenders who violate sex offender registration requirements. Operation “Cold Pursuit” has continued this tradition by serving this mission.