BJS survey finds violent crime rate remained unchanged while property crime rate declined in 2014

The violent crime rate did not change significantly in 2014 compared to 2013. Violent crimes include rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault. In 2014, the violent crime rate was 20.1 victimizations per 1,000 U.S. residents age 12 or older.

The rate of domestic violence, which includes crime committed by intimate partners (current or former spouses, boyfriends, or girlfriends) and family members was also unchanged from 2013 to 2014 (4.2 per 1,000). Likewise, in 2014 the rates of intimate partner violence (2.4 per 1,000), violence resulting in an injury (5.2 per 1,000), and violence involving a firearm (1.7 per 1,000) did not change significantly.

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Task Force Arrests Two Fugitives

Burlington, VT – The U.S. Marshals Service, Vermont Violent Offender Task Force (VVOTF) arrested a Federal fugitive who was wanted for violating his Supervised Release and a State of Vermont fugitive wanted for Escape.

Elijah Lawrence, 22, of Burlington, Vermont was arrested in the late evening on August 25, 2015 in Prescott Valley, AZ when confronted by Deputy U.S. Marshals. Lawrence was wanted by the United States District Court for the District of Vermont for violating his supervised release.

Lawrence had been a fugitive since May 22, 2015 and subsequently fled to Arizona where he was captured by Deputy U.S. Marshals. Lawrence was seen in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona on August 26, 2015 for an initial appearance on his Federal Arrest warrant and is awaiting extradition back to The District of Vermont.

This arrest was the result of a culmination of investigative efforts by the U.S. Marshals VVOTF, the U.S. Marshals for the District of Arizona, the Burlington Police Department, and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations.

David P. Donaldson, 44, of Burlington, Vermont was arrested on the afternoon of August 26, 2015 in Colchester, VT when confronted by Deputy U.S. Marshals and members of the Violent Offender Task Force. Donaldson was wanted by the State of Vermont, Department of Corrections, Probation and Parole for Escape from Furlough and has been a fugitive since 8/11/2015.

Donaldson was scheduled for court yesterday in Burlington at the Chittenden Criminal Court.

This arrest was a result of a culmination of investigative efforts by the U.S. Marshals VVOTF, The Vermont State Police, and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations.

U.S. Marshals Arrest Georgia Murder Suspect

Fugitive Task Force Makes Fourth Homicide Arrest in Past Week

Norfolk, VA – Another homicide suspect has been taken off the streets. A man wanted for murder in Georgia was found hiding right here in Hampton Roads. 20-year-old Steve Anthony Fort was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force in Suffolk this afternoon.

On July 21, 2015, it is alleged that Fort shot a man to death during an armed robbery in Macon, Georgia. Investigators identified Fort as the suspect and he was charged with murder, armed robbery, and kidnapping. At approximately 2:00 p.m. today, the U.S. Marshals in Georgia developed information that Fort may be hiding at a home in Suffolk and immediately contacted the U.S. Marshals in Norfolk.

The U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force quickly responded to the 6000 block of Old College Drive in Suffolk and set up in positions around the suspect residence. After confirming the wanted fugitive was inside of the suspect residence, which belonged to a friend of Fort, members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force took Fort into custody without incident around 3:30 p.m.

This is the fourth homicide suspect arrested by the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force in Hampton Roads during the past week. On Friday, Aldin Mitchell and Santono Barnes were arrested, and just yesterday Theron Hammond was arrested.

Fort will be held at Western Tidewater Regional Jail while awaiting extradition to Georgia.

The U.S. Marshals-led Fugitive Task Force consists of law enforcement officers from the U.S. Marshals, Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office, Newport News Police Department, Portsmouth Police Department and Norfolk Police Department. The main objective of the task force is to seek out and arrest violent offenders with outstanding federal and state warrants.

The U.S. Marshals Service, America’s oldest federal law enforcement agency, arrested more than 33,700 federal fugitives, 71,000 state and local fugitives and 11,600 sex offenders in 2014. Our investigative network and capabilities allow for the unique ability to track and apprehend any fugitive who attempts to evade police capture, anywhere in the country.