For Immediate Release

Albuquerque, NM - On March 1, 2011, U.S. Marshals Southwest Investigative Fugitive Team (SWIFT) task force members arrested convicted felon and fugitive Michael Rupert Zamora (50), also known as “Oso”, for parole violations. Zamora is a high ranking member and enforcer for the Syndicato Nuevo Mexico (SNM) prison gang, as well as a member of the Barelas neighborhood street gang. Zamora is on parole and has convictions for Robbery, Residential Burglary (multiple counts), Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Prisoner, Aggravated Battery Resulting in Great Bodily Harm or Death, Forgery, and Theft of Credit Cards. Zamora has a history of violence both inside and outside of jail. While in the custody of the Department of Corrections, Zamora stabbed two inmates and assaulted several Guards.

U.S. Marshals were given the case on Zamora and within a few days had him in handcuffs. Zamora had been a fugitive from justice for over a month. Due to Zamora’s criminal history, gang affiliations, and his propensity to use violence against law enforcement officers, U.S. Marshals made Zamora priority #1. SWIFT task force members developed information that Zamora was in the 100 block of 40th Street NW on Albuquerque’s Westside. Task force members made up of U.S. Marshals, Department of Corrections Officers, and New Mexico State Police Officers converged on the residence and took Zamora into custody without incident. Conrad Candelaria, U.S. Marshal for the District of New Mexico said “Zamora has a criminal history spanning over 30 years in the state of New Mexico. When the Marshals Service can arrest a violent career criminal like Zamora it is a good day overall for both the community as well as law enforcement”. Zamora was transported directly to the Central New Mexico Correctional Facility.

Additional information about the U.S. Marshals can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov.

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