Published: July 01, 2008 10:23 am      

1,000 Fugitives Arrested During U.S. Marshal-Led Effort

In the largest fugitive apprehension initiative undertaken by the U.S. Marshals Service’s Lone Star Fugitive Task Force across the Western District of Texas, teams of law enforcement agencies throughout the region, arrested approximately 1,000 fugitives during the five day district wide sweep. Operation FALCON (Federal and Local Cops Organized Nationally) targeted gang members, sex offenders, including parole and probation violators and other violent felons. Operation FALCON kicked off from June 23-27 simultaneously in Austin, San Antonio, Waco, Del Rio, El Paso, Midland, Pecos and Alpine. This is the fourth consecutive year the U.S. Marshals Service has conducted the FALCON fugitive sweep operation throughout the nation.

“While the Marshals are often the public face of Operation FALCON, we have been extremely fortunate that all of our federal, state, and local partners continue to wholeheartedly and enthusiastically come together to make this work,” said John F. Clark, Director of the U.S. Marshals Service.

“With their exceptional existence, Operation FALCON continues to be the largest and most successful fugitive apprehension effort in the U.S. Marshals history.”

LaFayette Collins, United States Marshal for the Western District of Texas further added, “Operation FALCON clearly demonstrates the selfless contribution of our law enforcement partners in an effort to bring fugitives to account for their actions as well as contributing in making our communities safer.”

During the five-day sweep, Operation FALCON in Austin combined the collective efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies in the central Texas area including Travis, Bastrop, Williamson, Hays and Caldwell County Sheriff’s Department, Austin and San Marcos Police Department, Williamson County Constable, Precincts 2 & 3, Williamson County District Attorney’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Rangers, Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Office of Inspector General, U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Service.