Las Vegas/Reno, NV – In one of the largest fugitive initiatives ever undertaken in the state of Nevada, the U.S. Marshals Service, teamed with additional law enforcement agencies throughout the state, conducted another successful Operation FALCON (Federal and Local Cops Organized Nationally) June 6 to June 13. Led by the U.S. Marshals’ fugitive task force, the Nevada Fugitive Investigative Strike Team (Nevada FIST), Operation FALCON targeted persons wanted on felony charges including sexual offenses, violent crimes, narcotics violations, and other felonies.

Operation FALCON 2008–Nevada combined the collective efforts of multiple state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies and arrested 211 fugitives and cleared 297 warrants over the course of the five-day operation. This included 11 individuals wanted for sex offenses, 65 for narcotic offenses, 20 for assault, eight for robbery, and 10 suspected gang members wanted for various felony violations.

“Operation FALCON 2008 exceeded our expectations with the removal of more than 200 fugitives from the communities of Nevada, many of whom were violent predators” said U.S. Marshal Gary Orton. “There can be no closure to victims and their families until the criminal is captured and prosecuted. I commend the law enforcement officers who worked together in this show of force.”

Twenty-five law enforcement agencies participated in Operation Falcon 2008. The joint operation consisted of 120 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers, making up 11 separate arrest teams working throughout the five-day period. Operation FALCON continues to be the largest and most successful fugitive apprehension effort in U.S. Marshal history.

Local and federal agencies participating in Operation FALCON 2008 included Boulder City Police Department, Henderson Police Department, Las Vegas Municipal Marshals, Las Vegas Detention and Enforcement, North Las Vegas Police Department, Reno City Marshals, Reno Police Department, Sparks Police Department, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Nye County Nevada Sheriff’s Office, Iron County Utah Sheriff’s Office, Washoe County Nevada Sheriff’s Office, Clark County Nevada District Attorney’s Office, Nevada Department of Public Safety, Nevada Department of Corrections, Nevada Gaming Control Board, Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Probation and U.S. Marshals Service

Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service, visit http://www.usmarshals.gov
Media can access more information at http://www.usmarshals.gov/falcon08/media.htm