U.S. Marshals in New Hampshire Conduct Operation Adam’s Watch to Recognize 20th Anniversary of Adam Walsh Act

Concord, NH – The United States Marshals Service (USMS) District of New Hampshire and the New Hampshire Joint Fugitive Task Force are recognizing the outstanding contributions of state, county and local law enforcement agencies following Operation Adam’s Watch, a multi-week enforcement operation that resulted in the arrest of more than 330 fugitives wanted for failure to register as a sex offender, sex assault, or other sex offenses across thirty-seven federal judicial districts and geographical locations across the United States.

The District of New Hampshire was one of the participating districts.  The USMS was supported by the efforts of Manchester, Nashua, Concord, Hudson, Dover and Somersworth Police Departments, the New Hampshire State Police, and the Strafford, Merrimack and Rockingham County Sheriff’s Offices.

Together, investigators targeted more than 400 registered sex offenders throughout New Hampshire.

During the operation:

• More than 200 compliance checks were completed.
• 167 registered sex offenders were confirmed to be in compliance.
• More than 40 arrest warrants were issued for registration violations.20 sex offenders were arrested for non-compliance.
• 15 additional offenders were arrested on unrelated outstanding warrants, to include sex assault and other sex offense charges.
• Four federal investigations were initiated involving alleged violations of a federal statute, 18 U.S.C. § 2250, failure to register as a sex offender. 

The operation combined local knowledge with federal investigative resources to identify offenders who failed to comply with registration laws and quickly bring them into compliance or into custody.

"The U.S. Marshals Service District of New Hampshire and our Joint Fugitive Task Force coordinates federal, state, county and local law enforcement resources to locate and apprehend violent fugitives and offenders who threaten public safety,“ said U.S. Marshal (Acting) Katherine Burns. “Through initiatives such as Operation Adam’s Watch, the task force continues to strengthen partnerships that protect New Hampshire communities.”

Operation Adam’s Watch, named in honor of Adam Walsh, was conducted to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the signing of the Adam Walsh Act (AWA). The operation focused on identifying, locating, and apprehending non-compliant sex offenders, and assisting our state and local partners with verifying offenders’ compliance.

Adam Walsh's abduction and murder served as a catalyst for change in the way the nation deals with crimes against children. This tragedy launched his parents, John and Reve Walsh, on a lifelong mission to prevent similar attacks on other children. The Walsh’s efforts resulted in the establishment of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).

In remembrance of his brother, Callahan Walsh, Executive Director of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children shared, “Every time the U.S. Marshals Service apprehends an offender who threatens children, every time NCMEC helps law enforcement recover a missing child or support an investigation, we're carrying that legacy forward. Together, we're proving that the strongest tool we have to protect children is partnership."

Annually, USMS conducts more than 200 sex offender operations, assisting state and local agencies with sex offender compliance and enforcement actions across the nation.  Since inception of the Adam Walsh Act, the United States Marshals Service has opened 52,000 investigations for federal Failure to Register violations and closed by arrest more than 7,500 federal warrants for violations of 18 USC 2250.  In addition to enforcement of the Adam Walsh Act, the United States Marshals Service prioritizes sex offense warrants under its fugitive mission.  Since 2006, the Marshals Service and its fugitive task forces partners have closed by arrest 250,000 felony warrants for fugitives wanted on sex offense, sex assault, or failure to register related warrants. 

"The protection of children is one of the most important things we do," said Erin Creegan, United States Attorney for the District of New Hampshire. “I have met with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners and we are united in our commitment that the aggressive enforcement of our sex offender laws is not optional – it is an expectation. Our goal is straightforward: New Hampshire should be known as a place where children are safe and predators cannot hide.”  

Guided by that commitment, the USMS District of New Hampshire will continue its enforcement efforts through a new operation period, as participating agencies expand sex offender compliance operations across the state. 

The USMS New Hampshire Joint Fugitive Task Force was formed in the fall of 2002 and is headquartered in Concord. The task force coordinates federal, state, county, and local resources to develop leads, gather intelligence, track and apprehend targeted fugitives. The Task Force receives vital support from Strafford, Merrimack and Rockingham Counties, as well as the cities of Manchester, Nashua and Concord.