Fugitive Task Force Nabs Violent Gang Member Following Standoff

March 18, 2010 - Fayetteville, AR – A 17 year old juvenile, believed to be associated with a violent gang organization in the Northwest Arkansas area, was arrested in Springdale this morning following an all night standoff. The Western Arkansas Fugitive Task Force was asked to assist the Springdale Police Department, an active partner of the task force, in locating and apprehending the male juvenile. He was wanted for Aggravated Assault, Battery 3rd Degree, and Engaging in Violent Criminal Group Activity. The juvenile is known to have access to weapons and has a violent criminal past.

The three count arrest warrant was issued on March 15, and the task force began working leads on March 16. After an exhaustive search and thorough interviews, the task force tracked the juvenile to a two story apartment building in Springdale. During the late evening hours of March 17, investigators with the task force and officers of the Springdale Police Department were preparing to make contact at the apartment building where the juvenile was believed to be located, when they observed several individuals inside the upstairs apartment peering outside the windows. The persons inside the apartment failed to come to the door and were non-responsive to investigators request to open the residence. According to Deputy U. S. Marshal Dewaine Allen, “investigators were cautious to forcefully enter the apartment given the violent nature of the case, the possible weapons likely involved, and the surrounding neighbors, including small children.”

After a standoff, which lasted through the night, the Springdale Police Department deployed SWAT personnel to the location. Just before SWAT personnel were to breach the apartment, the juvenile surrendered outside the apartment after consulting with an attorney via telephone. Two other adults were arrested for hindering apprehension. The juvenile was transported to the Washington County Juvenile Detention Center, where he awaits adjudication of his case. According to Deputy Allen, the U. S. Marshals Service is prohibited from releasing the name or a photograph of the juvenile.

The U. S. Marshals Service and the Springdale Police Department expended significant resources on this case, but the outcome was very positive and there were no injuries, according to Deputy Allen. The task force does not focus on juvenile wanted persons, but when a local agency requests our assistance on a particularly violent crime, and the offense meets case adoption guidelines, the task force is willing to assist, said Deputy Allen.

Every year, the U.S. Marshals and its associated task forces throughout the country arrest more fugitives than all federal law enforcement agencies combined. Last year, this number was more than 73,000 state and local fugitives and more than 36,000 federal fugitives. Additional information about the U.S. Marshals can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov.