September 27, 2024, Press Release from the Southern District of Ohio United States Marshals Service: WASHINGTON – The U.S. Marshals Service arrested 3,421 violent fugitives, including 216 for homicide, 803 for assault and 482 for weapons offenses, during the latest phase of its high impact fugitive apprehension initiative called Operation North Star FY 2024 (ONS FY24).
ONS 24 enforcement activities covered 74 operational days, from May 10 to September 13, and targeted fugitives and violent offenders in 10 metropolitan areas, prioritizing those who used firearms in the commission of crimes or signaled high-risk factors for violence. ONS FY24 resulted in the arrest of fugitives on charges to include homicide, forcible sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and firearms violations. During the operation, investigators also seized 534 firearms, more than $508.000 in U.S. currency, and 456 kilograms of illegal narcotics.
Local investigators seized four firearms, more than $5,000.00 in U.S. currency, and almost half a kilogram of illegal narcotics.
In the Dayton area, ONS FY24 investigators arrested 187 fugitives, including six for homicide, four for forcible sexual assault, 12 for robbery, 36 for aggravated assault and 25 for firearms violations. Local investigators seized four firearms, more than $5,000.00 in U.S. currency, and almost half a kilogram of illegal narcotics.
The other 10 metropolitan areas selected for ONS FY24 were identified using data from the National Crime Information Center and the FBI Uniform Crime Report, as well as DOJ priorities, and included Dallas, Texas; North Charleston, South Carolina; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Little Rock, Arkansas; Phoenix, Arizona; St. Louis, Missouri (to include East St. Louis, Illinois); Birmingham, Alabama; Winston-Salem, North Carolina; and San Antonio, Texas.
Significant arrests from the area included Eric Bretland who was arrested on July 17, 2024, in Troy, Ohio, by members of the Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST). He was wanted for a supervised release violation, with the original charge of child pornography. Task Force members located Bretland and arrested him without incident. After a security sweep, the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted a search warrant on the residence and seized two cell phones.
The agency utilized a data-driven, evidence-based approach to remove the dangerous criminals who are the drivers of violence in those communities.
James Nott was arrested on August 20, 2024, in Springfield, Ohio, by SOFAST. He was wanted for attempted murder, two counts of felonious assault, two counts of discharging a weapon, and improper handling of a firearm.
Desmond Carr was arrested on May 14, 2024, in Dayton, Ohio, by members of the SOFAST. He was wanted for three counts of aggravated trafficking of drugs. Additionally, Carr was on Butler County’s Top 10 Most Wanted for several years. SOFAST members located Carr and arrested him without incident.
“The Justice Department remains committed to making American communities safer from violent crime and working to end the plague of gun violence,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Operation North Star reflects a Department -wide approach, working with law enforcement agencies and communities to identify and hold accountable those responsible for the greatest violence. I am grateful to the U.S. Marshals Service and the many federal, state, and local task force partners who carried out this operation, and who continue to work to keep the American people safe every day.”
Since July 2022, in a total of 30 locations, USMS Operation North Star initiatives have resulted in the apprehension of more than 10,200 wanted fugitives, including 1,153 charged with homicide.
“Over the past year, the Marshals Service conducted Operation North Star in ten cities across the country experiencing high levels of gun violence,” said United States Marshals Service Director Ronald L. Davis. “Over 3,000 dangerous fugitives, including over 200 homicide suspects, were apprehended and removed from neighborhoods. The success of this operation is the result of the outstanding combined efforts of our Deputies and Task Force Officers, along with strong collaboration with the community and our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners.”
“Our Deputies and Task Force Operators live and work in this area,” said Southern District of Ohio Marshal Michael Black. “We want safer communities like all residents do. By working together, all the members of our law enforcement task force made an impact on making our community safer. This is what we do every day. And we will continue to do so every day.”
Since the 1980s, the USMS has combined its resources and expertise with local, state, and federal agencies to find and apprehend dangerous fugitives.
Since July 2022, in a total of 30 locations, USMS Operation North Star initiatives have resulted in the apprehension of more than 10,200 wanted fugitives, including 1,153 charged with homicide, in addition to the removal of more than 1,425 weapons associated with violent crime. The agency utilized a data-driven, evidence-based approach to remove the dangerous criminals who are the drivers of violence in those communities. The concept behind interagency law enforcement operations such as ONS evolved largely from regional and district fugitive task forces. Since the 1980s, the USMS has combined its resources and expertise with local, state, and federal agencies to find and apprehend dangerous fugitives.
For more information, visit usmarshals.gov.
