U.S. Marshals Task Force Captures Louisiana Fugitive in Wooster

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For Immediate Release	Contact:
November 18, 2009	Assistant Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Andrew deserto District of Northern Ohio (216) 551-6234 USMS Headquarters Public Affairs (202) 307-9065

U.S. Marshals Task Force Captures Louisiana Fugitive in Wooster

Akron, OH -- U.S. Marshal Peter J. Elliott announces the arrest of Melanie Marie Hearn, age 32, apprehended by the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force in Wooster, Ohio yesterday. Hearn was wanted out of Louisiana for principle to aggravated rape and probation violation for prior cocaine convictions. It is alleged that Hearn witnessed the rape of her 6 year old daughter and failed to take action against it.

The U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force in Western Louisiana developed information that Hearn had fled to Ohio and requested the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force with locating and apprehending Hearn.

Yesterday afternoon, the task force located Hearn in downtown Wooster and with the assistance of the Wooster Police Department, arrested her without incident. Hearn was transported to the Wayne County Jail to await extradition to Louisiana.

Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal David Kasulones stated, “When our Task Force receives requests for fugitive’s wanted in other states, we do not hesitate. We want to send a message that Northern Ohio is no safe haven for wanted fugitives and we will pursue and arrest those fleeing from prosecution.”

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of a known fugitive is encouraged to contact the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at: 1-866-4-WANTED. Callers may remain anonymous.

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force Akron Division is composed of the following federal, state, and local agencies: Akron Police Department, Barberton Police Department, Bath Township Police Department, Boston Heights Village Police Department, Brimfield Township Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms, Copley Township Police Department, Creston Village Police Department, Cuyahoga Falls Police Department, Kent Police Department, Lakemore Village Police Department, New Franklin Police Department, Northfield Village Police Department, Norton Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Portage County Prosecutor’s Office, Portage County Sheriff’s Office, Reminderville Police Department, Silver Lake Police Department, Stow Police Department, Summit County Prosecutor’s Office, Summit County Sheriff’s Office, Twinsburg Police Department, U.S. Attorney’s Office, U.S. Marshals Service and University of Akron Police Department.