For Immediate Release

Tallahassee, FL - The United States Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force announced the arrest today of 72 fugitives from justice over a week long operation dubbed “Operation Seasons Greetings.” U.S. Marshals and their local task force partners hit the streets of Gadsden, Leon, Madison, Taylor, and Wakulla Counties over the past five days in an attempt to round up as many wanted fugitives as possible prior to the holidays. U.S. Marshal Dennis Williamson noted that Operation Seasons Greetings is primarily a public safety initiative; “Law Enforcement officials normally see a spike in crime during this time of year as wanted felons take to the streets of our communities preying on citizens as well as invading their homes and automobiles in search of money and property.” Arrested individuals varied from outstanding warrants for Armed Robbery and Fraud to Violations of Probation and Narcotics charges as well as two Absconded Sex Offenders. Task Force Officers seized 17 firearms including rifles, shotguns and handguns from these fugitives with several being listed as stolen. Task Force Officers also confiscated over 5 pounds of Marijuana, $37,690.00 in U.S. Currency and 1373 grams of Methamphetamine. In addition, two active clandestine Meth Labs where discovered and dismantled with one being in Wakulla County and the other in Taylor County, Florida.

Marshal Williamson extended his deep appreciation to the agencies who loaned their time and officers to the roundup. Approximately 60 law enforcement personnel from the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office, Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Tallahassee Police Department, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Department of Corrections, Leon County State Attorney’s Office and the Perry Police Department participated during the roundup. These officers and deputies were sworn in as Special Deputy U.S. Marshals which gave them the authority to pursue wanted individuals from their respective jurisdictions anywhere within the United States.

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For more information about the U.S. Marshals Service, visit http://www.usmarshals.gov