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Law-enforcement sweep nets hundreds of fugitives

E-mail|Link|Comments () July 9, 2009 02:00 PM

By Matt Collette, Globe Correspondent

US marshals working with state and local law enforcement officials arrested more than 550 fugitives in Massachusetts, many who are violent criminals and sex offenders, during a sweep in June.

"Usually, we adopt cases from the state and local agencies, and we work with those agencies to apprehend those suspects," said Jeff Bohn, a senior inspector who oversaw Operation Falcon in Massachusetts. "We did that same thing with Operation Falcon, but on a much larger level."

Among those arrested were 51 sex offenders wanted for crimes including sexual assault and failure to register. Under the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, signed into law by President Bush in 2006 but still not fully funded, allows for sex offenders who knowingly fail to register and cross state lines to be charged with a federal crime. The US marshals started planning raids in April and the arrests occurred over the month of June.

Nationally, 35,190 fugitives were arrested.

Because the sting lasted a month, local and state agencies were able to lend officials to Operation Falcon, which stands for Federal and Local Cops Organized Nationally. The effort brought together 120 law enforcement officials, up from 20 who work with the marshals during the rest of the year.

"We've got a billion different tools in our toolbox, and with Falcon, we get everyone to work together," said Timothy Hughes, a senior inspector and congressional liaison for the US marshals' Massachusetts district.