Arrest tile; handcuff tile; handcuffs tile NATIONWIDE OPERATION STATS - March 2 - April 10
7,127 arrests made 750 gang members arrested 383 firearms seized 69 kilograms of illegal narcotics seized 519 homicide charges levied 922 weapon charges levied 10 missing children recovered Source: U.S. Marshals Service
The U.S. Marshals arrested 168 fugitives, sex offenders, gang members and violent criminals in East Tennessee during a six-week operation that ended last week, the organization announced today.
The national operation was aimed at reducing violent crime and resulted in 7,100 arrests nationwide, according to a release.
Locally, the operation centered in Hamilton, Blount, Knox Sevier and Greene counties. The Chattanooga Police Department, East Ridge Police Department and Hamilton County Sheriff's Office assisted in the initiative.
About 20 of the 168 people who were arrested are gang members, according to the release.
"These individuals were a real threat to our communities as they were wanted for offenses such as felony possession of a weapon child molestation, kidnaping, rape and murder," Jimmy Fowler, U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Tennessee, said in a release.
Local investigators also seized more than a kilogram of illegal narcotics and three firearms, he said.
The operation focused on apprehending fugitives who were wanted for murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, robbery, aggravated assault, arson, abduction, sexual assault and child molestation.
Investigators also looked for fugitives with three or more prior felony arrests who were wanted for violent crimes, narcotics, weapon charges, assault and theft.
Police Chief Fred Fletcher said the operations reach will extend beyond the 160 people who were arrested.
"These arrests have a beneficial ripple effect because many of these fugitives have a history of violent offenses," he said in the release.