For Immediate Release

Mansfield, OH – Early this morning the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force – Richland County Division tracked down wanted federal fugitive, Ronnie Carter.

Carter was wanted by the FBI and METRICH (Metro-Richland County) on a September 29, 2010 federal indictment for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute 5 kilograms or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, and 280 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base (crack), Schedule II controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1).(b)(1)(A) and 846.

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF), Richland County Division started working the case in October 2010 and shortly after tracked Carter to Columbus, where the Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team just missed him at a family member’s residence. Carter then fled Columbus and just recently returned to the Mansfield area. In February 2011, Carter was added to the NOVFTF ‘Dangerous Dozen’ and on Monday, May 2, 2011, Carter was featured in the Mansfield News Journal as a ‘most wanted’ fugitive. Immediately, the task force starting receiving tips thru the NOVFTF tipline that Carter was back in Mansfield. Members of the task force set up surveillance in the area of Atcheson Ave and observed Carter enter a family member’s residence. Early this morning members of the task force surrounded that residence on the 100 block of Atcheson Ave, made contact with an occupant of the residence, and Carter walked out the front door and surrendered. Carter was transported to the Cuyahoga County Jail to await his initial appearance on Tuesday, May 31st in federal court in Cleveland.

When notified of Carter’s arrest, Dino Sgambellone, Chief of Police for Mansfield and Project Director for METRICH, stated, “This is the reason we partnered with the U.S. Marshals Service. It is a professional collaboration and time and time again they always get their man.”

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 and a cash reward may be available. The Task Force’s “Dangerous Dozen” fugitives can be viewed at http://www.usmarshals.gov/district/oh-n/fugitives/pdf/dangerous_dozen.pdf, which is updated monthly.

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force - Richland County Division is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies: Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Ashland Municipal Probation, Ashland Police Department, Bellville Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms, Crestline Police Department, Galion Police Department, Lexington Police Department, Loudonville Police Department, Mansfield Municipal Probation, Mansfield Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ontario Police Department, Plymouth Police Department, Richland County Probation, Richland County Prosecutor’s Office, Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Shelby Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service.

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

####

America’s Oldest Federal Law Enforcement Agency