Dayton, 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 Dayton, 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, teamed with other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the Miami Valley region, arrested 115 fugitives and cleared 181 warrants during Operation FALCON 2008 - Dayton.

“Yet again, Operation FALCON has accomplished significant goals for both the Miami Valley 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 reduction 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.”

While at a residence believed to be occupied by Lamark Billingsley, a fugitive wanted for various probation violations, law enforcement officers instead encountered Billingsley’s father Charles McDaniel. McDaniel attempted to flee when deputies knocked on the door and was apprehended at the back door to the residence. After searching the residence, deputies found another person in the basement with approximately 25 unit doses of heroin. After obtaining a search warrant, officers recovered one ounce of heroin and three loaded handguns – a .45 caliber Firestorm semiautomatic, a .32 caliber Interarm revolver, and a .380 caliber semiautomatic. Evidence was turned over to the Dayton Police Department Narcotics Division. Federal charges are being considered for McDaniel and possibly others.

Edward Cantrell, 34, was wanted on various warrants and was arrested by law enforcement officers hiding in the bedroom of his residence. During a security sweep of the house, officers recovered a 7.62 caliber SKS Assault rifle, a .9mm caliber Taurus handgun, two bulletproof vests, three drug scales, 28.1 grams of powder cocaine, 26 grams of crack cocaine, 29.4 grams of black tar heroin, and marijuana. It was later learned that the .9mm Taurus handgun was reported stolen and linked to a 2002 Xenia robbery. The investigation is ongoing.

Daniel Hicks, 38, was wanted by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office based on a warrant for drug possession. Officers located Hicks at a residence in Springfield and arrested him. During a security sweep of the residence officers recovered a .357 Wesson revolver and a Mossberg .22 caliber rifle with the serial number scratched off. Since Hicks is currently under indictment, he is prohibited from possessing any firearms. Both firearms were seized by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office and the investigation is continuing regarding the firearms.

“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.”

28 local, state and federal agencies in the Dayton area participated in the operation. Over 110 law enforcement officers and agents 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 Dayton area included:

Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Greene County Sheriff’s Office, Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Miami County Sheriff’s Office, Darke County Sheriff’s Office, Preble County Sheriff’s Office, Dayton Police Department, Springfield Police Department, Germantown Police Department, Greenville Police Department, Miamisburg Police Department, Moraine Police Department, New Lebanon Police Department, Oakwood Police Department, Trotwood Police Department, Vandalia Police Department, Xenia Police Department, German Township Police Department, Perry Township Police Department, Warren County Prosecutor’s Office, Greene County Prosecutor’s Office, U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI), Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio State Adult Parole Authority, 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, Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force based in Chicago, 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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