Fort
Smith, AR – An Oklahoma man wanted by the Drug Enforcement
Administration in the Western District of Arkansas on charges of
distributing methamphetamine and state charges in Oklahoma of assault
with a deadly weapon, distribution of a controlled substance and
conspiracy has been arrested in Mexico and deported to California.
On June 9, a federal warrant was issued for
Charley Rouell for conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of
Methamphetamine out of the Western District of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Division. On June 10, following a U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency
investigation, the DEA delegated apprehension responsibility to the U.S.
Marshals Service Western Arkansas Fugitive Task Force.
Rouell
also had a state warrant out of Haskell County, Oklahoma, issued on July
21 for failure to appear on assault and battery with a deadly weapon,
unlawful possession of a controlled drug with intent to distribute,
possession of drug paraphernalia, conspiracy, and illegally taking game
fish.
On Oct. 27, the USMS upgraded Rouell to a Major
Case and offered a reward of up to $5,000 for any information leading to
his arrest. The USMS Major Case Fugitive Program prioritizes the
investigation and apprehension of high-profile offenders who are
considered to be some of the country’s most dangerous individuals. These
offenders tend to be career criminals with histories of violence or
whose instant offense(s) pose a significant threat to public safety.
After a long and thorough investigation by the
USMS Western Arkansas Fugitive Task Force and the USMS Eastern Oklahoma
Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force, information was obtained that Rouell
had fled to Mexico. On Dec. 21, through the coordination of USMS Mexico
liaisons and the Mexican State Police, both Rouell and his wife,
Michelle Rouell, who was wanted on a federal warrant out of the Southern
District of California, were arrested by Mexican Police in Mexicali Baja
California, Mexico, for immigration violations. Both Rouells were
deported by Mexican authorities on Dec. 21 and turned over to USMS in
the Southern District of California. Charley Rouell is waiting transfer
back to the Western District of Arkansas.
Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found
at http://www.usmarshals.gov.
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First Federal Law Enforcement Agency