Multistate Law Enforcement Operation Targets Violent Fugitives in Subsidized Housing Across New York and New Jersey

New York – In a coordinated multi-district enforcement initiative, the U.S. Marshals Service across five major federal jurisdictions -- the Southern District of New York, Eastern District of New York, Western District of New York, Northern District of New York, and the District of New Jersey -- working alongside the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, partnered with the Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of the Inspector General to conduct a targeted fugitive sweep focused on high-risk violent offenders.

The joint operation resulted in the apprehension of 63 violent fugitives to include non-compliant sex offenders and the seizure of a substantial quantity of illicit narcotics.  These targets were actively avoiding law enforcement while residing in or utilizing government-subsidized housing communities across New York and New Jersey.  

Because a core mission of the U.S. Marshals Service is to track down and apprehend the nation’s most dangerous and violent fugitives, combining resources with HUD-OIG presented a unique, powerful strategic opportunity.  This partnership pinpointed high-priority targets exploiting government assisted housing developments as hideouts compromising the safety of vulnerable residents and abusing taxpayer funded programs.

“A primary mission of the U.S. Marshals Service is to locate and apprehend violent offenders fleeing justice, no matter where they attempt to hide,” said Ricky Patel, U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of New York. “When criminals bring violence, weapons, and narcotics into government-subsidized housing, they directly undermine the integrity of public programs and place innocent families in danger. Working side by side with HUD-OIG and our NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force partners resulted in 63 arrests of high-risk fugitives while restoring safety to these communities."

“Strong, coordinated law enforcement partnerships are essential to safe, HUD-assisted, communities,” said Vanessa Freeman, Assistant Inspector General for Investigations. “This operation showcases the impact we can achieve when agencies work together to protect communities, uphold accountability, and ensure that fugitive felons are removed from our neighborhoods and brought into custody where they belong. Getting dangerous individuals off the streets is critical to keeping America safe, and we are grateful for the unwavering support of the U.S. Marshals.”

The NY/NJRFTF began operations in April 2002 and was the first regional fugitive task force to become fully operational following the Presidential Threat Protection Act of 2000. The NY/NJRFTF was the flagship that has allowed seven other regional fugitive task forces to be created across the country. With partnership agreements with over 90 federal, state, or local agencies and 13 fully operational offices, the NY/NJRFTF has successfully apprehended over 95,000 fugitives since inception.