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Austin, TX –
The 68 counties in the Western District of Texas are
much safer this week as local, state, and federal
law enforcement joined forces for a month-long
fugitive apprehension effort. 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 2,495 arrests and 2,988
warrants cleared within the Western District of
Texas in June.
Operation FALCON –
Austin 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 288 fugitives, clearing 322 warrants in the
central Texas area.
Clint Crisp was a
fugitive wanted by the U.S. Marshals for alleged
sexual assaults against children in multiple states.
A team of Deputy U.S. Marshals, with fellow law
enforcement officers, arrested Crisp in northwest
Austin working in a traveling carnival.
“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.”
peration FALCON –
Austin consisted of approximately 19 federal, state
and local law enforcement officers, making up
multiple arrest teams working throughout the
operation. 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
Western District of Texas has always been
incredible,” said U.S. Marshal LaFayette Collins.
“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
are dedicated to a safer Texas, nation and world and
it shows in this tremendous success.”
Agencies contributing
to Operation FALCON – Austin were the Austin Police
Department, San Marcos Police Department, Elgin
Police Department, Hutto Police Department, Luling
Police Department, Travis County Sheriff’s
Department, Bastrop County Sheriff’s Department,
Caldwell County Sheriff’s Department, Hays County
Sheriff’s Department, Williamson County Sheriff’s
Department, Williamson County Constable’s Office
Precinct 1, 2, 3 & 4, Williamson County District
Attorney’s Office, Caldwell County District
Attorney’s Office, Texas Department of Criminal
Justice – OIG, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms
& Explosives and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
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.
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America’s Oldest Federal Law Enforcement Agency
www.usmarshals.gov
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