U.S. Marshals in California Arrest Woman Wanted for Parole Violation in Arizona

Washington, DC - The U.S. Marshals (USMS) in California and Arizona, working with local partner agencies, on Feb. 12 arrested in Blythe, California, a woman wanted in Arizona on a probation violation stemming from a narcotics conviction. 

Monica Irene Delao, 50, was the subject of an absconder parole warrant issued Feb. 4 by the Arizona Department of Corrections for probation violation for failing to comply with her parole conditions and avoiding supervision. 

The USMS Arizona Violent Offender Task Force (AZVOTF) adopted the case and learned that Figueroa had a lengthy criminal history to include misconduct with weapons, drug paraphernalia, three dangerous drugs violations, robbery, theft, assault, burglary, fraudulent schemes, and unlawful use of means of transportation. 

When AZVOTF investigators developed information that Figueroa was residing with her boyfriend, Rene Tapia, 35, at a house in the 900 block of E Avenue A in Blythe, California, they sent a collateral lead to the USMS El Centro Fugitive Task Force, and information was further disseminated to local law enforcement, including the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) and the Blythe Police Department. 

On Feb. 12, task force members set up surveillance at the Blythe residence and after a short time conducted a knock and talk. Figueroa was identified and contacted in the residence by law enforcement who arrested her without incident. 

As task force officers and deputies cleared the residence, they discovered in plain view contraband consisting of methamphetamine, psilocybin mushrooms, ammunition, a revolver, a shotgun and a handgun.  

Sheriff deputies seized the contraband as evidence and arrested Tapia as a prohibited possessor.   

Both Figueroa and Tapia were booked into Blythe Jail, Figueroa on the AZDOC warrant. 

Tapia, who was on county probation, was charged with felon in possession by RCSO.

The U.S. Marshals have a long history of providing assistance and expertise to other law enforcement agencies in support of fugitive investigations. The success of U.S. Marshals task force initiatives, combined with the outstanding relationships forged with other law enforcement agencies, has led to the formation of permanent fugitive task forces, as well as ad-hoc task forces in response to unique cases that pose immediate threat to the public. In 2025, U.S. Marshals Service-led fugitive task forces arrested over 73,000 federal, state and local fugitives and cleared nearly 88,000 warrants.