For Immediate Release

Waterbury, CT – U.S. Marshals-led task forces and Waterbury police today arrested in Connecticut two Rhode Island fugitives and recovered two minor children.

In December of 2021, the Rhode Island Violent Fugitive Task Force initiated a fugitive investigation into Jesueily Sanchez for charges of cruelty to/neglect of a child and Tyshaun Peete for failure to appear on charges of carrying a pistol without a license and resisting arrest. After an in-depth, three-month investigation which spanned multiple states, deputy U.S. marshals and Rhode Island State Police assigned to the RIVFTF developed information that Sanchez and Peete had fled Rhode Island to Connecticut. Investigators were able to track the two fugitives to an address in Waterbury. The task force then enlisted the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service in Connecticut as well as the Waterbury Police.

This morning members of both the RIVFTF, the Connecticut Violent Fugitive Task Force and Waterbury Police arrested Sanchez and Peete in an apartment with their two minor children.

The two children were safely removed from the residence and placed into the custody of the Connecticut Department of Children and Families. One of the children had previously been classified as missing and endangered from the State of Rhode Island, and a court order had been issued granting custody to the Department of Children, Youth and Families.

Waterbury Police are pursuing additional charges of risk of injury to a child and cruelty to a person against both Sanchez and Peete. The two will eventually be returned to Rhode Island to face the outstanding criminal charges.

The Rhode Island State Police, U.S. Marshals Service in Rhode Island and Connecticut, and Waterbury Police provided significant assistance throughout the investigation.

“This case is the reason why the United States Marshals Service has created a Missing Child Unit and has the authority to assist state and local police departments in the recovery of missing and endangered children,” said Robert Charette, Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal for the District of Rhode Island. “The toddlers recovered today did not have a voice to advocate for themselves. They were living in unimaginable conditions of squalor and abuse. I commend the work of my Deputy U.S. Marshals here in Rhode Island, the Rhode Island State Police, Deputy U.S. Marshals in Connecticut, and the Waterbury Police Department in recovering these toddlers this morning. The relentlessness displayed by these investigators is why these toddlers are now safe.”

“Through its nationwide reach and established partnerships with state and local police departments, the U.S. Marshals Service is particularly well-positioned to aid in the recovery of missing and endangered children,” said acting U.S. Marshal for the District of Connecticut Lawrence J. Bobnick. “Today’s recovery of two young children from such tragic conditions was the culmination of countless hours of investigation and is a testament to the dedication of all the talented law enforcement officers involved. Additionally, the U.S. Marshals Service would like to thank the Connecticut Department of Children and Families and the health care workers at Waterbury Hospital for standing ready to assist in the recuperation of these young children.”

The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 enhanced the U.S. Marshals’ authority to support federal, state, and local law enforcement requests for assistance with the recovery of missing, endangered, or abducted children. A Missing Child Unit was established to oversee and manage the implementation of its enhanced authority under the act. Since then, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) has been leading the way in a nationwide effort to recover missing and exploited children. In 2021, the U.S. Marshals Service contributed to the recovery of 950 missing children. Nationwide, more than 50 local USMS task forces are dedicated to violent crime reduction by locating and apprehending wanted criminals. These task forces also serve as investigation hubs for missing and exploited juveniles throughout the country.

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

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