Columbus, OH – Following a four-year tradition of success in its national efforts, the U.S. Marshals Service locally conducted another successful Operation FALCON (Federal and Local Cops Organized Nationally) June 2-7, 2008. Led by the U.S. Marshal Service in Columbus, Operation FALCON combined the collective efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies in one of the area’s largest-ever fugitive initiatives, focusing on capturing individuals wanted on felony charges including sexual predators and fugitives wanted for crimes of violence.

The U.S. Marshals Service teamed with other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the Central Ohio region, arrested 157 fugitives and cleared 171 warrants during Operation FALCON 2008 - Columbus.

Operation FALCON 2008 combined the collective efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies in one of the area’s largest-ever fugitive initiatives, focusing on capturing individuals wanted on felony charges specifically sexual predators and fugitives wanted for crimes of violence and those with narcotics violations in their history.

“Yet again, Operation FALCON has accomplished significant goals for both the Central Ohio region and law enforcement personnel,” said James M. Wahlrab, U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Ohio. “The concentrated efforts of these multiple agencies have resulted in the apprehension of the most violent fugitives in the community. I am confident the success of Operation FALCON has had a major impact, and I look forward to similar future combined law enforcement efforts.”

Ceaser S. Mathews, 22, was wanted on a warrant filed by the Columbus Division of Police for aggravated robbery based on his alleged involvement in two bank robberies where weapons were brandished. The complaint alleges he was involved in the Nov. 6, 2006 robbery of the Kemba Financial Credit Union in Columbus and the Nov. 17, 2006 bank robbery at Sky Bank in Bexley. Law enforcements officers arrested Mathews June 4 at a residence in Mansfield.

Michael Dalrymple, 46, was wanted on a warrant from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office for failure to register as a sex offender. Dalrymple was located June 3 in Columbus and arrested.

Charles Z. Mitchell, 33, was wanted in Franklin County for failure to appear for trial on charges of drug possession, carrying a concealed weapon, and in possession of a weapon under disability. He was also wanted in Delaware County for failure to appear on a drug possession charge.

Law enforcement officers arrested Mitchell June 3 at his residence in Columbus. During a search of the residence, officers recovered a shotgun, a .22 caliber rifle, two ounces of suspected cocaine, four grams of suspected heroin, ammunition, and numerous drug paraphernalia items.

Brian Atkinson, 33, was wanted by the Ohio Adult Parole Authority for parole violations. While attempting to apprehend Atkins at a residence in Columbus June 6, officers observed Atkins jump from a third-story apartment window in an attempt to elude officers. Atkins later surrendered from a nearby wooded area off Brice Road to Task Force officers and officers from the Columbus Division of Police and the Reynoldsburg Police Department.

“This unified effort led by the Marshals Service pays off for all of us in southern Ohio,” U.S. Attorney Gregory Lockhart said. “A concentrated effort by law enforcement to remove the worst of the worst is one of the most effective crime-fighting tools we can use to build safer communities.”

40 local, state and federal agencies in the Central Ohio region area participated in the operation. Over 160 law enforcement officers and agents who were not Deputy U.S. Marshals were sworn in as Special Deputy U.S. Marshals. This swearing in, conducted by U.S. Marshal Wahlrab, gave the participants federal arrest authority for the duration of the operation and empowered them to cross traditional lines of jurisdiction to track down and arrest targeted fugitives throughout the week.

The supporting and participating agencies in the Columbus area included:

Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Ross County Sheriff’s Office, Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, Union County Sheriff’s Office, Licking County Sheriff’s Office, Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office, Columbus Police Department, Whitehall Police Department, Grove City Police Department, Reynoldsburg Police Department, Columbus Regional Airport Authority Police Department, Worthington Police Department, Westerville Police Department, Delaware City Police Department, Ohio State University Police Division, City of Columbus Division of Fire, Valleyview Police Department, Portsmouth Police Department, Blendon Township Police Department, Gahanna Police Department, Genoa Township Police Department, Harrisburg Police Department, Lancaster Police Department, Marysville Police Department, New Albany Police Department, Newark Police Department, Perry Township Police Department, Pickerington Police Department, Sharon Township Police Department, Upper Arlington Police Department, Zanesville Police Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio State Adult Parole Authority, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, State of Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, U.S. Secret Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General, Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio.

Since its inception in 2005, Operation FALCON has made over 36,500 arrests and cleared over 45,300 warrants. It continues to be the largest and most successful fugitive apprehension effort in U.S. Marshals history.

For more information about the U.S. Marshals Service, visit http://www.usmarshals.gov
 

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