U.S. Marshals Service Special Task Force Arrest 61 During Operation Heatwave

Des Moines, IA – The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Southern Iowa Fugitive Task Force (SIFTF) led a multi-agency collaboration with state, local and federal law enforcement with the goal of removing dangerous fugitives from the communities of central Iowa.

The operation planning and target identification began June 29, 2026 and culminated in a four-day aggressive fugitive enforcement initiative which occurred from July 21 to July 24, 2026, targeting violent offenders and gang members wanted for crimes including homicide, robbery, sexual assault, aggravated assault, weapons offenses and other serious felony offenses.

Throughout the operation, U.S. Marshals Task Force led teams across central Iowa arrested 61 wanted individuals and closed 97 felony arrest warrants.

These coordinated enforcement actions led to the following notable arrests:

On July 21, 2026, Alfred Pyne, 18, was arrested in Urbandale, IA, on a warrant out of the Urbandale Police Department for intimidation with a dangerous weapon and reckless use of a firearm stemming from a shooting at Urbandale’s Lions Park Fourth of July celebration.

On July 21, 2026, Kristopher Keys, 28, was arrested in Des Moines on multiple warrants out of the Iowa Department of Public Safety for possession of controlled substance, dominion or control of firearm by a felon, and tampering with a witness.

On July 21, 2026, Jacob Kerr, 26, was arrested in West Des Moines on a Polk County warrant for probation violation on an original conviction of dominion or control of a firearm or offensive weapon by a felon and operating while intoxicated along with a probation violation warrant out of Dallas County for original conviction of pimping or procure for prostitution.

On July 23, 2026, Jejuan Tyree Lyke, 30, was arrested in Des Moines on a warrant out of the Iowa Department of Corrections for parole violation on an original conviction of kidnapping 3rd degree, intimidation with a dangerous weapon, and willful injury causing bodily injury. Lyke was also arrested on outstanding warrants from the Pleasant Hill Police Department for distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl.

On July 24, 2026, Chad Smith, 44, was arrested in Des Moines on a warrant out of the Des Moines Police Department for sex abuse 2nd degree. Smith had been a highly publicized fugitive since a 2024 sexual assault of a juvenile female. Smith was located by an Iowa State Patrol K9 hiding within a void specifically designed to conceal his location.

Among these fugitive apprehensions the task force also recovered three firearms and several pounds of narcotics indicative of distribution.

“Operation Heatwave demonstrates what can be accomplished when federal, state, and local law enforcement work together to make our communities safer,” said U.S. Marshal Ted Kamatchus for the Southern District of Iowa. “Locating and arresting the most dangerous offenders remains one of the highest priorities of the U.S. Marshals Service.”

“USDA OIG was proud to partner with the U.S. Marshals in Iowa to identify and arrest 12 violent criminal fugitives. Operation Heatwave sends a clear message that federal law enforcement together with the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud will not allow criminals to flee from justice and exploit taxpayer funded programs. We will continue to work with the U.S. Marshals to swiftly bring fugitives to justice and end their fraudulent exploitation,” said USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) Inspector General John Walk.

The U.S. Marshals Service was assisted by the following agencies during the operation: Polk County Sheriff’s Office, 5th Judicial District Probation and Parole, Des Moines Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Iowa State Patrol, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Ames Police Department, Ottumwa Police Department, Coralville Police Department, USDA Office of Inspector General (OIG), Dallas County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

U.S. Marshals Service task forces combine the efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate and arrest our nation’s most dangerous fugitives. These task forces are dedicated to reducing violent crime by locating and apprehending wanted criminals. They also serve as the central point for agencies to share information on fugitive matters. In 2025, the U.S. Marshals arrested 73,323 fugitives, cleared 87,984 warrants, which averaged out to around 293 fugitives arrested per day in 2025 alone.