U.S. Marshals Apprehend Over 73,000 Fugitives in Fiscal Year 2023

The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) achieved a significant milestone in fiscal year (FY) 2023, apprehending a staggering 73,362 fugitives, with 28,065 related to federal cases and 45,297 tied to state and local warrants. This remarkable feat equates to an average of 293 fugitive arrests per day over the course of 250 operational days.

Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco emphasized the Department of Justice’s commitment to reducing violent crime by strategically targeting individuals responsible for it. The USMS played a vital role in this effort by apprehending the nation’s most dangerous fugitives, contributing to safer communities.

USMS Director Ronald Davis commended the dedication of the agency’s personnel, highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts with state, local, federal, Tribal, and international partners in achieving these impressive results.

FY 2023 Arrest Statistics:

• Sex offenders: 10,088 arrests (including sexual assault, failure to register with the national sex offender registry, and other offenses).
• Gang members: 3,496 arrests.
• Homicide suspects: 5,447 arrests.
• International/foreign fugitives: 1,487 arrests (individuals wanted by foreign nations and believed to be in the United States).
• Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program fugitives: 1,051 arrests (OCDETF cases involve federal agencies collaborating to combat drug trafficking and money laundering organizations).
• Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act (AWA) violations: 287 arrests (AWA classifies sex offenders into tiers based on their offenses, with varying registration requirements).
• “15 Most Wanted” fugitives: Four arrests.

Additionally, the USMS seized over 4,731 firearms during violence reduction and counter-gang operations in FY 2023.

Warrants Cleared by USMS Arrests: 86,388[1]

• State and local warrants: 57,280 cleared.
• Federal warrants: 29,108 cleared.

Key Operations in FY 2023:

1. Operation North Star II (ONS II): A 30-day initiative led to the arrest of 833 fugitives, including violent criminals, sex offenders, and gang members, across multiple cities. Firearms, currency, and illegal narcotics were also seized during the operation.

2. Operation We Will Find You: A 10-week national operation resulted in the recovery or safe location of 225 endangered missing children, addressing critical cases of runaways and abductions.

3. Operation North Star III (ONS III): Over three months, the USMS apprehended 4,455 fugitives, clearing 2,818 violent warrants and confiscating firearms, currency, and illegal narcotics in 20 cities.

4. Operation Washout: Conducted in Maryland, this operation led to the arrest of 95 fugitives, including suspects wanted for homicide, attempted homicide, robbery, and weapon-related offenses. Law enforcement also seized drugs and currency.

Notable Arrests in FY 2023:

• Arrest of Michael Anthony Baltimore, a fugitive on the USMS 15 Most Wanted list, wanted for homicide, assault, and parole violation charges.
• Capture of Danilo Cavalcante, who escaped from a Pennsylvania prison after receiving a life sentence for the fatal stabbing of his ex-girlfriend.
• Arrest of Samuel Paul Hartman, who had escaped from an Arkansas prison, with assistance from his wife and others.
• Apprehension of Cherie Goss, wanted on charges of attempted first-degree murder.
• Arrest of Jason Billingsley, a suspect in the murder of tech CEO Pava LaPere.
• Recapture of Kevin Lamarr Mason, who was erroneously released from an Indiana jail.

Efforts to Find Missing Children:

In FY 2023, the USMS contributed to the location or recovery of 495 missing children. Since the passage of the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, the agency has played a crucial role in finding more than 3,248 missing children.

For more information about the USMS, visit www.usmarshals.gov.

[1] The number of warrants cleared often exceeds the number of arrests because fugitives may be wanted on multiple warrants, and a single arrest can resolve all of them simultaneously.