U.S. Marshals Apprehend Waterfront Shooter

Pittsburgh, PA - The United States Marshals Western Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force (WPAFTF) arrested homicide suspect Paul “Los” Sanders Jr. at approximately 10:40 am this morning at a residence in Wilmerding. Sanders, age 20, was charged by the Allegheny County Police on January 10, 2014 with Criminal Homicide, Robbery and Conspiracy for his role in the shooting death of Imani Porter in a restaurant parking lot at the Waterfront entertainment complex in Munhall. Sanders was also wanted pursuant to an Allegheny County probation violation arrest warrant issued on the same date for the underlying offense of Possession of a Firearm.

The investigation was referred to the U.S. Marshals WPAFTF on January 14, 2014 and was immediately prioritized by task force investigators. Preliminary information indicated Sanders last resided in Wilkinsburg and was known to frequent the Braddock area. Through investigation, WPAFTF members developed critical information which led to his apprehension this morning. Sanders was arrested without incident on the second floor of an apartment in the 300 block of Caldwell Avenue in Wilmerding. Subsequent to his arrest, task force members recovered a quantity of crack cocaine, two digital scales and two cell phones. Additional charges will be filed relative to the narcotics violation. Following his arrest, Sanders was turned over to the custody of Allegheny County Homicide Detectives by task force investigators.

The U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force is comprised of officers from the Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Allegheny County Sheriffs, and Westmoreland County Sheriff’s. These agencies, along with the United States Attorney’s Office, are participating members of the U.S. Marshals Western Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force (WPAFTF).

NH Fugitive of the Week Arrested by Jaffrey PD Based on Viewer's Tip

Concord, NH – Early this morning, a viewer of WMUR-TV recognized fugitive Benjamin Sprague as his photograph appeared on the television. The viewer immediately contacted the Jaffrey Police Department and provided the whereabouts of Sprague.

Sprague, 27 was being sought on an outstanding arrest warrant issued by the Peterborough Police Department for Aggravated Felonious Sexual Assault. Since the Peterborough Police Department began the investigation into Sprague, he had gone into hiding, but was known to have ties throughout southern NH including the towns of Merrimack, Litchfield, Peterborough, Jaffrey, Swanzey and Keene, NH. Late last week, the Peterborough Police Department contacted the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force requesting assistance in an effort to locate and arrest Sprague.

As part of the U.S. Marshal’s fugitive investigation, Sprague was aired just today as this week’s 'Fugitive of the Week'. The 'Fugitive of the Week' is broadcast on WTPL-FM, WMUR-TV, The Union Leader, The Nashua Telegraph, The Patch and is prominently featured on the internet. The brief appearance of Sprague on television this morning was all it took, the tip came in and Sprague was arrested without any incident at a Jaffrey residence.

Sprague was arraigned on his outstanding arrest warrant and is currently being held on $50,000.00 cash bail at the Hillsborough County Jail.

Due to the early arrest, the U.S. Marshals have also chosen to feature a second fugitive of the week in hopes that we can get the public’s assistance in locating fugitive Craig Wiggins who has multiple warrants out of the seacoast area of New Hampshire and Maine.

Since the inception of the New Hampshire Joint Fugitive Task Force in 2002, these partnerships have resulted in over 5,523 arrests. These arrests have ranged in seriousness from murder, assault, unregistered sex offenders, probation and parole violations and numerous other serious offenses.

Nationally the United States Marshals Service fugitive programs are carried out with local law enforcement in 94 district offices, 85 local fugitive task forces, 7 regional task forces, as well as a growing network of offices in foreign countries.

U.S. Marshals Arrest Convicted Felon Wanted for Over Seven Years

Alexandria, VA – U.S. Marshal Robert Mathieson announces the capture of Jorge Omar Alvarez-Turcios. Alvarez-Turcios was wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) in the federal Eastern District of Virginia (E/VA) for a supervised release violation stemming from underlying charges which include fraud.

Alvarez-Turcios was arrested in April 2004 and convicted of fraud and misuse of visa. As a part of his sentence, this convicted felon was ordered to serve a supervised release term of three years. The conditions of supervised release required Alvarez-Turcios to cooperate fully with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportation proceedings and directed this convicted felon not to enter the U.S. without official permission.

On Feb. 6, 2006, the U.S. District Court for E/VA issued an arrest warrant charging Alvarez-Turcios with supervised release violation. E/VA alleges that this convicted felon has failed to follow the court-ordered conditions of supervised release by illegally re-entering the U.S. Deputy U.S. Marshals assigned to the USMS fugitive task force in Virginia began working to locate the fugitive.

Investigators worked relentlessly to track this fugitive through the various aliases and birth dates he had provided to law enforcement. After seven years of investigation, the USMS task force arrested Alvarez-Turcios yesterday without incident in a Hyattsville, MD apartment complex.

The U.S. Marshals-led fugitive task force within E/VA is made possible by the collaboration of the U.S. Marshals Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Secret Service, Alexandria Police Department, Virginia State Police, Fairfax County Police Department, Fairfax County Sheriff's Department, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Diplomatic Security Service.

The U.S. Marshals Service arrested more than 36,000 federal fugitives, 86,700 state and local fugitives, and 11,800 sex offenders in fiscal year 2013. 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.

U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force Captures Wilkinsburg Shooting Suspect

Pittsburgh, PA - The U.S. Marshals Western Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force (WPAFTF) arrested fugitive Leonard “Juice” Coker at approximately 12:30 pm this afternoon at a residence in Penn Hills. Coker, age 22, was charged by the Allegheny County Police on December 24, 2013 with Criminal Attempt - Criminal Homicide, Carrying a Firearm without a License, Aggravated Assault and Recklessly Endangering another Person. These charges arose out of an incident occurring at a Wilkinsburg barber shop on October 31, 2013. Coker is alleged to have entered the barber shop and shot the male victim multiple times as he sat in a chair getting his hair cut.

Coker was also wanted by the Penn Hills Police Department based on a December 19, 2013 arrest warrant charging him with Carrying a Firearm without a License, Carrying a Loaded Weapon, Resisting Arrest and Escape. Additionally, Coker was also wanted pursuant to an Allegheny County Court of Common Please probation violation arrest warrant issued December 19, 2013 for the underlying offense of Firearms not to be Carried without a License

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Coker was last known to reside in the New Kensington area and was known to frequent the Penn Hills, New Kensington and Arnold areas. WPAFTF members arrested Coker this afternoon without incident in the first floor of a residence in the 100 block of Marose Drive, Penn Hills. Following his arrest, Coker was turned him over to the custody of Allegheny County Police Homicide Detectives.

The U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force is comprised of officers from the Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Allegheny County Sheriffs, and Westmoreland County Sheriff’s. These agencies, along with the United States Attorney’s Office, are participating members of the U.S. Marshals Western Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force (WPAFTF).

Justice Department Releases Findings Showing That the Alabama Department of Corrections Fails to Protect Prisoners from Sexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment at the Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women

Today the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division announced its letter of findings determining that prison officials at the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) and the Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women (Tutwiler) violate women prisoners’ constitutional rights by failing to take reasonable steps to protect them from harm due to sexual abuse and sexual harassment caused by correctional staff.  Specifically, the Justice Department found that prison officials have long been on notice of the risks to women prisoners and have chosen to ignore them.  The findings also included a notice that the investigation will be expanded to examine allegations of additional constitutional violations.

 

The department found that women prisoners at Tutwiler live in a toxic environment with repeated and open sexual behavior.  The conduct to which women are exposed includes:  officers forcing women to engage in sexual acts with officers in exchange for basic sanitary supplies; male officers openly watching women shower or use the toilet; a staff facilitated “strip show”; a constant barrage of sexually offensive language; punishment of prisoners who report improper conduct; and encouraging improper sexual contact between prisoners.  The sexual abuse and harassment is grossly underreported due to insufficient staffing and supervision, inadequate policies and procedures, a heightened fear of retaliation and an inadequate investigative process. 

 

“Our investigation has revealed serious systemic operational deficiencies at Tutwiler that have exposed women prisoners to harm and serious risk of harm from staff-on-prisoner sexual abuse and sexual harassment,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jocelyn Samuels for the Civil Rights Division.  “These problems have been festering for years, and are well known to Alabama prison officials.  Remedying these deficiencies is critical to ensuring constitutionally protected treatment of women prisoners at Tutwiler and will promote public safety.” 

 

The department’s comprehensive investigation involved an in-depth review and analysis of documents, including policies and procedures, incident reports, investigative reports, orientation materials and staff training materials.  The department also interviewed prison officials and administrative and security staff, as well as current and former women prisoners. 

 

The expanded investigation will examine allegations of excessive use of force, constitutionally inadequate conditions of confinement, constitutionally inadequate medical and mental health care and discriminatory treatment based on national origin, sexual orientation and gender identity.  The department’s decision to expand its investigation of conditions at Tutwiler stemmed from the department’s review of information suggesting that the systemic deficiencies at Tutwiler that facilitated staff sexual misconduct may also lead to constitutionally inadequate conditions of confinement. 

 

“The department stands ready to work with the state of Alabama on solving the problems at Tutwiler,” said U.S. Attorney George L. Beck Jr. for the Middle District of Alabama.  “The report has identified a very serious and troubling situation at the facility.  Action needs to be taken immediately.  I am certain that Commissioner Thomas and the governor’s office will continue to cooperate in eradicating these deplorable conditions.”

 

The department commends Commissioner Kim Thomas and his staff for the cooperation they have shown, and for their receptivity to concerns raised, and looks forward to continuing to work with ADOC and Tutwiler officials in a collaborative manner on the expanded investigation and to resolve the existing findings expeditiously and under mutually agreeable terms. 

Task Force Arrests Fugitive in Richmond

Burlington, VT - The U.S. Marshals Service, Vermont Violent Offender Task Force (VVOTF) arrested a fugitive who was wanted for Assault and Robbery charges.

Jake N. Chittenden, 22 of Jericho, Vermont was arrested January 15, 2014 in Richmond, VT by the U.S. Marshals Task Force. Chittenden was wanted by the Burlington Police Department for an Assault and Robbery that occurred on 06/10/2013.

Chittenden has a history of drug violations and property crime related offenses in Chittenden County. These offenses include receiving stolen property, unlawful trespassing, marijuana distribution and failure to appear at court proceedings.

The arrest was a result of a culmination of investigative efforts by the U.S. Marshals Service in the District of Vermont, the Vermont State Police, the Richmond Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations.