Norfolk, VA – A large-scale multi-agency law enforcement
operation led by the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force, focused
on wanted gang members and firearms related offenders, has concluded.
The 60-day operation, which took place during June and July resulted in
dozens of arrests and firearms seized across Hampton Roads.
A total of 46 fugitives were arrested, including
eight suspects wanted for homicide and 17 wanted in relation to firearms
offenses. Twenty documented gang members and known gang associates were
among those arrested, and 36 firearms, $38,551 in cash, and
approximately $500,000 worth of narcotics were seized during the
operation.
Operation Triple Beam (OTB) is a U.S. Marshals
Service-led collaborative initiative that partners federal, state, and
local law enforcement to focus on specific areas impacted by gang and
related criminal violence while targeting the most violent offenders and
organizations. The overall goal of OTB is to foster safer communities by
providing immediate relief from gang-related violence by investigating
and arresting fugitive gang members and the criminal organizations
responsible for committing violent crimes.
Acting U.S. Attorney Raj Parekh of the Eastern
District of Virginia said, “Thank you to our federal, state, and local
partners for their tireless efforts and remarkable work, as exemplified
by this significant public safety operation. Protecting the safety of
our communities is at the very heart of what we do – it is a sacrosanct
duty to the public for whom we are privileged to serve. Gang-related
violence often involves gun violence, which inflicts a massive and
tragic toll on our communities. It only takes one person to pull a
trigger, but in the end, it’s the community – our neighborhoods full of
children, family members, and friends – who forever endure the pain of
losing loved ones. We are committed to addressing all forms of violent
crime in our cities, while protecting civil rights and civil liberties.
Working together, we will continue building safe and just communities
throughout Hampton Roads.”
“I am proud of the Deputy Marshals, task force
officers and our federal, state and local law enforcement partners for
what they accomplished in this operation, and for what they do each
day,” said U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Virginia Nick E.
Proffitt. “The results of this operation are indicative of the strength
of the law enforcement cooperation we enjoy in Hampton Roads. It is my
hope that the efforts over the last month will demonstrate to our
citizens that our law enforcement professionals at all levels are out
there doing what they can to ensure our citizens are afforded the safe
and secure environment they so deserve. I am honored and humbled that
the Marshals Service is a part of this team of professional, dedicated
public servants.”
“A large portion of this operation was conducted
in Norfolk, and I couldn’t be prouder of the women and men in law
enforcement who risked their lives to take violent gang members off our
streets,” said Norfolk Police Chief Larry D. Boone. Many guns were also
seized from those not legally able to possess them. I’ve said it before
and I’ll say it again, if we want immediate impact, we must stop the
flow of guns. Too many families have been impacted by the pain of gun
violence in Hampton Roads. Many ask, “what can I do to help?” To start,
I’m asking for adult leadership in the home and responsible gun
ownership. Those two actions can make a positive impact in any
community, it’s just that simple. In the meantime, we will continue to
work with our federal partners to identify and apprehend those criminals
who inflict harm on our communities.”
“Violent neighborhood
gangs pose the one of the biggest threats to communities across the
nation, including our own Hampton Roads communities,” said Brian Dugan,
Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office. “Those of us
in law enforcement cannot rest while Americans live in fear in their own
neighborhoods, and the responsibility for fighting violent crime is one
we share. The threat is too broad and too dangerous for any one agency
to tackle alone. Our collaboration with the U.S. Marshals fugitive task
force and participation in joint operations like Operation Triple Beam
reflect the FBI’s commitment to our part in protecting Hampton Roads
from violent gangs who terrorize our communities.”
“Operation
Triple Beam is an incredible success,” said Chesapeake Sheriff Jim
O’Sullivan. “Gang violence is a serious and growing threat in Hampton
Roads. Tonight, residents can sleep a little more soundly in their beds
knowing our streets and communities are that much safer.”
The
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent
in Charge Charlie J. Patterson said, “This operation is the epitome of
collaborative law enforcement at its finest. ATF is proud to have been
able to contribute and stand on the front lines with our fellow local,
state, and federal agency partners in the fight against violent crime.
Our united effort has effectively resulted in the seizure of illegal
firearms and narcotics from felons, the removal of violent criminals,
and the capture of fugitives from our communities. As such, the ATF
Washington Field Division will continue to leverage our expertise and
work lockstep with our partners to fight violent crime.”
“The
efforts outlined today demonstrate, by working together, federal, state,
and local law enforcement are systematically dismantling street gangs
and the criminal networks that cause violent crime in our
neighborhoods,” said Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent
in Charge Jarod Forget. “Hampton Roads’ residents deserve to live in a
community safe from violent crime.”
Participating agencies: U.S.
Marshals Service; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives;
Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office; Drug Enforcement Administration; FBI;
Hampton Police Division; Naval Criminal Investigative Service; Newport
News Police Department; Norfolk Police Department; Portsmouth Police
Department; Virginia Beach Police Department; Virginia Department of
Corrections – Adult Probation and Parole; Virginia State Police and the
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Photos of the operation can be found here:
https://www.flickr.com/gp/usmarshals/u0Y4o2.
B-roll can be found
here:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5o94sxu8v76uzd4/OTB%20Tidewater%20B-roll.mp4?dl=0.
Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found
at http://www.usmarshals.gov.
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America’s
First Federal Law Enforcement Agency