Columbia, SC – Following a five-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. Led by the U.S. Marshals, Operation FALCON netted 769 arrests within the District of South Carolina for the month of June.

Operation FALCON 2009 – South Carolina 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. Over the course of the month long operation, Deputy U.S. Marshals, teamed with federal, state and local law enforcement partners, arrested 769 fugitives, including 36 sex offenders, 20 Failure to register fugitives and cleared 1,393 warrants in the District of South Carolina.

Charleston FALCON teams arrested Reginald Foster, a fugitive wanted by the North Charleston Police Department relating to assault and battery with the intent to kill and armed robbery warrants. A team of Deputy U.S. Marshals, with fellow law enforcement officers, arrested Foster June 10 in a downtown Charleston public housing complex. During the search incident to arrest a .45 caliber, High Point, Model JHP, pistol was recovered.

Florence FALCON teams arrested four in connection to a Landmark Inn shooting on May 30. Arrested in the death of Clair Chaffin, a decorated war hero from Florida, were Darezno Graham, Gregory Benjamin, Brittany Benjamin, and Raynard Jenkins. Benjamin is charged with the murder of the 83-year-old victim along with the other grand larceny, misprision of a felony, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.

Greenville FALCON teams arrested Fritz Gerald Miller, a fugitive wanted for criminal sexual conduct. Miller had been evading the Greenville Police Department since August 2005. Miller was alleged to have hit his victim with closed fists while sexually assaulting his victim. Miller was arrested on June 11.

Columbia FALCON teams arrested Candy Mae Vanpelt, AKA: Candy Mae Carlisle, for a 1993 warrant for possession with intent to distribute crystal methamphetamine. Vanpelt had eluded Lexington County Sheriffs Office after allegedly selling crystal meth to an undercover officer. Vanpelt was located and arrested without incident on June 25.

“The goal of Operation FALCON is simple – to make communities safer,” said John F. Clark, Director of the U.S. Marshals Service. “Each time we wrap up a FALCON operation in any location, there are less dangerous individuals – and fewer threats to the community – than before we arrived there. That is very gratifying.”

Operation FALCON 2009 – South Carolina consisted of approximately 56 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, making up separate arrest teams working throughout the month in various locations in South Carolina. Many of these local officers participate on a regular basis with the local task force, South Carolina Operation Intercept, and assist in many of the areas major arrests.

“The cooperation and dedication of law enforcement agencies working together has always been rewarding, as we continue to improve the public safety of South Carolina. Our state and local agencies are greatly appreciated and with this cooperation FALCON will continue to be a success,” said Johnny Mack Brown, U.S. Marshal for South Carolina. “The dedication and enthusiasm from start to finish did not go unnoticed. I understand that our numbers again exceeded our expectation. The outstanding efforts are again shown in the work performed by all involved.”

Since its inception in 2005, Operation FALCON has made 91,086 arrests and cleared 117,874 warrants. It continues to be the largest and most successful fugitive apprehension effort in U.S. Marshals history.

For more information on Operation FALCON 2009, please visit www.usmarshals.gov/falcon09/index.html.

###

America’s Oldest Federal Law Enforcement Agency
www.usmarshals.gov