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For Immediate Release |
Contact: |
July 28, 2021 |
Chris Leuer, Senior Inspector Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force (757) 390-6313; U.S. Marshals Office of Public Affairs (703) 740-1699 |
U.S. Marshals-led Operation Triple
Beam-Tidewater Targets Violent Criminals Operation Focused on Gangs, Firearms Offenders |
Norfolk, VA – A large-scale multi-agency law enforcement operation led by the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force, focused on wanted gang members and firearms related offenders, has concluded. The 60-day operation, which took place during June and July resulted in dozens of arrests and firearms seized across Hampton Roads. A total of 46 fugitives were arrested, including eight suspects wanted for homicide and 17 wanted in relation to firearms offenses. Twenty documented gang members and known gang associates were among those arrested, and 36 firearms, $38,551 in cash, and approximately $500,000 worth of narcotics were seized during the operation. Operation Triple Beam (OTB) is a U.S. Marshals Service-led collaborative initiative that partners federal, state, and local law enforcement to focus on specific areas impacted by gang and related criminal violence while targeting the most violent offenders and organizations. The overall goal of OTB is to foster safer communities by providing immediate relief from gang-related violence by investigating and arresting fugitive gang members and the criminal organizations responsible for committing violent crimes. Acting U.S. Attorney Raj Parekh of the Eastern District of Virginia said, “Thank you to our federal, state, and local partners for their tireless efforts and remarkable work, as exemplified by this significant public safety operation. Protecting the safety of our communities is at the very heart of what we do – it is a sacrosanct duty to the public for whom we are privileged to serve. Gang-related violence often involves gun violence, which inflicts a massive and tragic toll on our communities. It only takes one person to pull a trigger, but in the end, it’s the community – our neighborhoods full of children, family members, and friends – who forever endure the pain of losing loved ones. We are committed to addressing all forms of violent crime in our cities, while protecting civil rights and civil liberties. Working together, we will continue building safe and just communities throughout Hampton Roads.” “I am proud of the Deputy Marshals, task force officers and our federal, state and local law enforcement partners for what they accomplished in this operation, and for what they do each day,” said U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Virginia Nick E. Proffitt. “The results of this operation are indicative of the strength of the law enforcement cooperation we enjoy in Hampton Roads. It is my hope that the efforts over the last month will demonstrate to our citizens that our law enforcement professionals at all levels are out there doing what they can to ensure our citizens are afforded the safe and secure environment they so deserve. I am honored and humbled that the Marshals Service is a part of this team of professional, dedicated public servants.” “A large portion of this operation was conducted
in Norfolk, and I couldn’t be prouder of the women and men in law
enforcement who risked their lives to take violent gang members off our
streets,” said Norfolk Police Chief Larry D. Boone. Many guns were also
seized from those not legally able to possess them. I’ve said it before
and I’ll say it again, if we want immediate impact, we must stop the
flow of guns. Too many families have been impacted by the pain of gun
violence in Hampton Roads. Many ask, “what can I do to help?” To start,
I’m asking for adult leadership in the home and responsible gun
ownership. Those two actions can make a positive impact in any
community, it’s just that simple. In the meantime, we will continue to
work with our federal partners to identify and apprehend those criminals
who inflict harm on our communities.” B-roll can be found here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/5o94sxu8v76uzd4/OTB%20Tidewater%20B-roll.mp4?dl=0. Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov. #### |