Source: United States Department of Justice News
Memphis, TN – United States Attorney Joseph C. Murphy Jr., and United States Marshal Tyreece Miller today announced Operation “River Run,” a joint federal, state, and local law enforcement initiative that resulted in the arrest of 43 violent fugitives in West Tennessee. These individuals were arrested on a variety of criminal charges, including possession of drugs, homicide, illegal possession of firearms by prohibited persons, violation of federal supervised release, state probation and parole violations, burglary, sex crimes and aggravated assault. This coordinated effort to reduce violence was led by the United States Marshals Service.
In February 2022, the Department of Justice announced that it will be working with each United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) to enhance collaborative violent crime reduction efforts by providing resources to support violent crime priorities at the local level. These initiatives will incorporate the pillars of community engagement, prevention, strategic enforcement, and accountability. These four core principles will be the framework that the USAOs will use to serve the local communities in partnership with our federal, state, local and tribal colleagues.
The United States Marshals (USMS) Task Forces nationwide work in collaboration with their federal, state, local and tribal partners to enforce the rule of law through impactful violent crime reduction strategies. Last year alone, USMS Task Forces apprehended approximately 6,000 violent fugitives wanted for homicide and removed approximately 6,900 firearms from the street.
Operation River Run commenced on April 1, 2022 and concluded on April 30, 2022. The coordinated and targeted areas included Dyer, Lake, Lauderdale, Obion, and Tipton Counties. 43 fugitives were arrested; 44 warrants cleared; seven firearms seized; 20 rounds of ammunition seized; $8,945 in cash; 0.751 kg of narcotics seized; and three gang members identified.
“Violent criminal acts wreak havoc in communities throughout our district. Recognizing this fact, reduction in violent crime is a priority for our office. We will work with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to apprehend and prosecute individuals who commit violent crimes. Our goal in this effort is safer communities and we believe that this goal is achievable,” said United States Attorney Joseph C. Murphy Jr.
“Through Operation River Run, the U.S. Marshals Service and our partners made a concerted effort to address criminal activity in more rural areas of West Tennessee. Fugitives may believe they can hide away from law enforcement resources and support larger cities may offer, but they are mistaken. Offenders should be on notice that we stand ready to address violent crime wherever it may be.” said United States Marshal Tyreece Miller.
The following agencies participated in Operation “River Run”:
United States Marshals Service
United States Attorney’s Office
United States Probation Services
Atoka Police Department
Bells Police Department
Drug Enforcement Administration
Dyersburg Police Department
Halls Police Department
Henning Police Department
Hornbeak Police Department
Martin Police Department
Memphis Police Department
Jackson Police Department
Dyer County Sheriff’s Office
Fayette County Sheriff’s Office
Lake County Sheriff’s Office
Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office
Obion County Sheriff’s Office
Shelby County Sheriff’s Office
Tipton County Sheriff’s Office
Weakley County Sheriff’s Office
Tennessee Department of Correction
Tennessee Highway Patrol (Jackson Office)
Tennessee Highway Patrol (Memphis Office)
Texas Department of Public Safety
Additional information about the United States Marshals Service can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov.
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