Detroit, MI – 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 2009 netted 663 warrants closed within the Eastern District of Michigan from June 1 to June 30. Of the 663 closures in the Detroit Metropolitan area, 51 were for sex related crimes, 44 were for weapons and 14 were for homicides.

Operation FALCON – Detroit combined the collective efforts of the Detroit Fugitive Apprehension Team (DFAT) 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. DFAT consists of USMS Detroit, Michigan State Police, Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, Oakland County Sheriff’s Department, Livonia Police Department and the Detroit Police Department.

Adnan Almayahi was a fugitive wanted by the Jacksonville, Florida, Sheriff’s Office for murder. He allegedly strangled his girlfriend with a cell phone cord. He fled the start of Florida and was thought to have relocated to the Detroit Metropolitan area. Florida authorities requested the assistance of DFAT. Almayahi was tracked to a home on the 5700 block of Lumley in Detroit. DFAT and members of the Dearborn Police Department, who assisted in the investigation, entered the residence and conducted a search for the defendant. He was located under the stairs in the basement and was arrested without incident. Almayahi is awaiting extradition to Florida.

“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 – Detroit consisted of numerous federal, state and local law enforcement officers, making arrests throughout the 30-day period. Each DFAT officer is sworn in as a Special Deputy U.S. Marshal. This special authority empowers them to cross traditional lines of jurisdiction to track down and arrest targeted fugitives throughout the operation. The first part of the month of June, DFAT partnered with the Michigan State Police and Michigan Department of Corrections to hunt down violent offenders. During the second week of June, DFAT partnered with numerous local, state and federal agencies and targeted violent offenders locally. During the 3rd and 4th week of June DFAT participated in the Michigan State Police-led Operation Sore Loser. This operation targeted sex offenders throughout the State of Michigan.

“The cooperation and enthusiasm of law enforcement agencies in the Eastern District of Michigan has always been incredible.” said U.S. Marshal Robert Grubbs. “We are facing new challenges in law enforcement and must always adapt to overcome sometimes overwhelming odds when faced with the criminal element that places our communities in danger. With our law enforcement partners, law enforcement at all levels is dedicated to a safer Michigan and it shows in this tremendous success.”

Since its inception in 2005, Operation FALCON has made more than 91,086 arrests and cleared more than 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.

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