Sherman, TX – 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 sponsored Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force, Operation FALCON 2009 netted 227 arrests with 385 warrants cleared within the Eastern District of Texas in June.

Operation FALCON – Sherman 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 30-day operation, Deputy U.S. Marshals, teamed with federal, state and local law enforcement partners, arrested 93 fugitives and cleared 119 felony warrants for offenses ranging from theft to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and sexual assault of a child.

David Glen Boyd, a fugitive wanted by the Sherman Police Department for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, was one of the individuals targeted during the operation. He was considered one of Operation FALCON – Sherman’s most wanted. On June 16, Boyd was meeting with some friends at an apartment complex in Sherman when an argument broke out. Boyd then allegedly got into his car and ran over two of the individuals involved in the altercation. Boyd went on the run after the incident but he wasn’t able to avoid a FALCON arrest team hot on his trail. Boyd was apprehended on July 2, after a lengthy investigation that consumed several man hours.
“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 – Sherman consisted of approximately 42 federal, state and local law enforcement officers, making up nine separate arrest teams working in different counties throughout the Sherman Division at any given time during the month. Each participating local officer was sworn in as a Special Deputy U.S. Marshal immediately prior to the start of this operation. This special authority empowers them to cross traditional lines of jurisdiction to track down and arrest targeted fugitives throughout the operation.

“The cooperation and enthusiasm of law enforcement agencies in the Eastern District of Texas has always been incredible,” said U.S. Marshal Gary Brown. “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 Texas, nation and world and it shows in this tremendous success.”

Agencies contributing to Operation FALCON – Sherman were the Texas Department of Public Safety, Grayson County Sheriff’s Department, Grayson County District Attorney’s Office, Sherman Police Department, Fannin County Sheriff’s Department, Bonham Police Department, Leonard Police Department, Trenton Police Department, Savoy Police Department, Lamar County Sheriff’s Department, Lamar County District Attorney’s Office, Paris Police Department, Denton County Sheriff’s Department, Denton County District Attorney’s Office, Collin County Sheriff’s Department, Plano Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General.

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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