On Tuesday, July 24, 2012, members of the U.S. Marshal’s Lone Star Fugitive Task Force (LSFTF) arrested Trinidad Diaz Mermella in central Odessa. Mermella was listed on the Texas Department of Public Safety’s website as one of the “Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitives", and currently wanted for a parole violation.

On June 7, 2011, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles had a warrant issued for Mermella’s arrest after he served time in State prison for Burglary of a Habitation, was released, and then violated conditions of his parole. Over a year later, the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force in Midland received information from the U.S. Marshals in El Paso working with the Joint Operations Intelligence Center (JOIC), that Mermella may possibly be in or around Odessa. Further investigation identified several relatives in the Odessa area, and task force members set up surveillance on those addresses. On Tuesday July 24 at about 2:00pm, one of the surveillance teams watching a residence on Walnut street, observed a red Ford Mustang pull up in front of the residence, and Mermella was identified as the driver. Task Force officers quickly moved in on the vehicle and removed Mermella from the vehicle and took him into custody without incident.

According to the DPS website, Mermella is affiliated with the Hermandad de Pistoleros Latinos gang. He was considered armed and dangerous, and an escape risk. Mermella has prior arrests for aggravated assault on police officer, burglary, theft, and drug offenses. Mermella was transported to the Ector County Detention Center where he will be held until his hearing on the parole violation.

Along with U.S. Marshals, the task force officers investigating this case were from Texas DPS Criminal Intelligence, Midland County, and Ector County Sheriff’s Offices. Officers on the ground were also supported by DPS Air Operations.

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

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