This operation was conducted in Richmond, Virginia during a 3- month period in the summer of 1998. At that time, I was serving as the United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Virginia. During this initiative, Deputy Marshals and Richmond Police Officers teamed up to review, prioritize, and investigate nearly 1,700 arrest warrants for fugitives charged with violent crimes such as Murder, Attempted Murder, Armed Robbery, Assault, Narcotics Violations, and Probation or Parole Violations. This initiative led to the clearance of 514 arrest warrants, including 293 by physical arrest. In addition, Deputy Marshals apprehended a group of five individuals just before they were to carry out a drive-by shooting.
Fugitives threaten the very fabric of our criminal justice system.
By definition, they have been charged with a violation of law. They may have been charged but not yet arrested, released on bail and fled to avoid prosecution, escaped from jail or prison, or absconded from or otherwise violated the terms of their probation or parole. These actions constitute an affront to our justice system. When fugitives flee from their charges our legal system is severely threatened. Prosecutors cannot try cases, society is deprived of justice and order, and crime victims are denied their rights.