For Immediate Release

Cleveland, OH – Early this morning at approximately 3:00 a.m., members of the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force arrested Anthony “Face” Willis, age 32. Willis was wanted by the East Cleveland Police Department for attempted murder and by the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office for failing to appear on a charge of felonious assault. The attempted murder charge stems from an incident that happened in June of this year. It is alleged that Willis shot a man nine times after a verbal argument. Shortly after the warrant was issued in June, the East Cleveland Police requested assistance from the NOVFTF in locating and apprehending Willis.

The Task Force spent many hours over the last few months pursuing Willis throughout the Cleveland area. Early this morning, Task Force members developed information that Willis was at a residence near the 1200 block of E. 133rd St. in East Cleveland. Task Force members, with the assistance of the East Cleveland Police Department and the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, approached the home and made entry. Officers searched the home and found Willis hiding in the basement under a pile of debris.

Willis is an amateur rapper and was so confident in his ability to evade capture that he made a video about being on the run. The video is filled with expletives and contains images of Willis with suspected narcotics and firearms, while also showing off his children. The video was posted to the popular YouTube website in November 2012.

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “It is always more satisfying to capture a fugitive that believes they can’t be found. We are happy to assist in bringing this dangerous fugitive to justice and will continue to pursue those that evade the law and remain a danger to our communities.”

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 1-866-4WANTED or Text keyword WANTED and tip to TIP411 (847411) Tipsters can remain anonymous and reward money is available.

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force – Cleveland Division is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies: U.S. Marshals Service, Cleveland Police Department, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department, Euclid Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Lakewood Police Department, Linndale Village Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General, U.S. Secret Service and the Westlake Police Department.

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

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America’s Oldest Federal Law Enforcement Agency