30 Arrested During Multi-Agency Operation NR22116jl

The U.S. Marshals have a long history of providing assistance and expertise to other law enforcement agencies in support of fugitive investigations. The success of the U.S. Marshals task force initiatives, combined with the outstanding relationships forged with the Los Angeles Police Department, has led to the formation of fugitive task forces, in response to unique cases that pose immediate threats to the public.

On April 28, 2022, Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore met with U.S. Marshals Service Director Ronald L. Davis, Chief of Staff Silas V. Darden, Executive Assistant Marisa Martinez, U.S. Marshal David Singer, Chief Inspector Justin Davis, Chief Deputy Rogelio Nuño-Marquez and Assistant Chief Inspector Frankie Sanchez to coordinate and plan Operation North Star.

Operation North Star is part of President Joe Biden’s comprehensive strategy to tackle the persistent spike in gun related crime. It is designed to support local law enforcement with federal tools and resources to address violent crime. The Los Angeles Police Department’s Gang and Narcotics Division (GND) in partnership with the United States Marshals Service / Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force (PSWRFTF) will spearhead Operation North Star in Los Angeles. The focal point of this operation is to precipitate a reduction of violent crime in the ten cities that currently show a large increase in recent homicide shooting. Los Angeles was identified as one of the ten cities. Operation North Star will concentrate on fugitives with arrest warrants, wanted for the most serious, violent, and harmful offenses, to include; homicide, forcible sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assaults.

Operation North Star personnel from the multi-agency collaboration has identified nearly 14,500 active and outstanding felony warrants in the Los Angeles area, many of which will be acted upon by joint teams consisting of personnel from the United States Marshal’s service, in conjunction with LAPD’s Gang and Narcotics unit and Fugitive Warrant Section. The operation is slated to take place between June 1, 2022 to June 30, 2022. That 30-day period can be extended for operational purposes upon the agreement of partnering agencies. The goal of this operation is to arrest as many of the most serious and violent felons who have outstanding warrants in the Los Angeles area.

To prepare for Operation North Star, Operation FAST was conducted over a 72-hour period from March 28, 2022 to March 30, 2022. A citywide violent crime reduction initiative was led by the Los Angeles Police Department Gang and Narcotics Division, who partnered with the United States Marshals Service / Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force (PSWRFTF). The 3-day crime reduction initiative focused on suspects wanted for violent crimes within the City of Los Angeles, specifically focusing on Part 1 Crimes (Murder, Attempt Murder, Robbery, Sexual Assaults).

Operation FAST yielded the following results:

• 15 Documented Gang Members Arrested
• 10 Firearms Seized
• 30 Total Arrests:
• 10 for Homicide
• 9 for Attempt Homicide
• 3 for Armed Robbery
• 1 for Assault with a Deadly Weapon (firearm)
• 4 for Great Bodily Injury to a Child
• 3 for Rape of a Child under 14

These types of operations would not be a success without the continued partnership of all those involved, to include specialized teams of detectives, officers, and administrative staff. The Los Angeles Police Department would like to thank our partners at the United States Marshals Service / Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force (PSWRFTF) for the continued support in the apprehension of violent suspects.

As it relates to normal operations by LAPD’s Gang and Narcotics Division personnel, there is no difference from what they do on a daily basis to locate and arrest the most serious and violent felons in the Los Angeles area.