U.S. Marshals Task Force Arrests Suspect in Brutal Attack of Elderly Homeless Man

Cincinnati, OH – United States Marshal Cathy J. Jones announces the arrest of Michael Hesson.  In the evening hours of February 08, 2011, the Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST) arrested 25 year-old Michael Hesson in Hamilton, Ohio.  Hesson is accused of stomping the head of John Johnson, an elderly homeless man, in early January of 2010.  Hesson has been evading authorities ever since the assault.  While on the lam, Hesson obtained a new charge of Reckless Homicide stemming from the shooting death of Janice Svajda that occurred in Norwood, Ohio on January 7, 2011. On January 14, 2011, Hesson was indicted on the Reckless Homicide charge by the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office.  Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Patrick Sedoti stated, “The primary mission of the U.S. Marshal Task Forces’ is to track and arrest violent offenders. This arrest shows how federal, state, and local agencies are dedicated to making the streets safer in our communities”. 

On February 8, 2011, SOFAST tracked Hesson to his sister’s residence located in the 1200 block of

Grand Avenue

in Hamilton, Ohio.  Hesson was arrested in the hallway of the home without incident.  Hesson was booked into the Hamilton County Justice Center.

SOFAST is a multi-jurisdictional task force comprised of the U.S. Marshals, Cincinnati Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, U.S. Department of Agriculture OIG, Warren County Prosecutors Office and U.S. Attorney’s Office.

U.S. Marshals are the nation’s primary fugitive hunting organization and capture more federal fugitives each year than all other law enforcement agencies combined.

Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov.