EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – After a final arrest last weekend, federal authorities are releasing the
results of a month long, large scale, multi-agency, law enforcement operation led by the U.S.
Marshals Service, Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force, operating primarily throughout March
2022. The operation resulted in more than 150 arrests, including three individuals being charged
with homicide in St. Clair County in connection with one of the firearms seized.
Multiple federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies worked countless hours concentrating
their efforts on known gang members, wanted subjects, and other known violent
offenders. Operation Washout (OWO) is a United States Marshals initiative deployed to local areas
to bring immediate relief from violent, gang related crime. The goal is to foster safer
communities by investigating and arresting fugitives and members of criminal
organizations responsible for committing violent crimes.
The detail yielded 153 arrests with 55 of those subjects being identified as gang members. Also
seized were 62 firearms, $42,974 in U.S. Currency, two vehicles, and 26.9 kilograms of narcotics.
Enforcement operations were focused on Madison and St. Clair counties, in addition to
the Centralia region.
“Federal law enforcement is at its best when coordinating our resources to focus on those who
present the biggest threat to public safety,” said United States Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “I
credit the U.S. Marshals Service for their excellent work. They perform an incredibly valuable
service to the community by searching for and apprehending the most violent offenders in the most
dangerous areas.”
“This operation is a great example of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners
working together to have a significant impact on reducing violent crime in our communities,” said
Jeremy Wyatt, Acting United States Marshal. “Thank you to all of the law enforcement officers
that participated in this operation and put it on the line every day to ensure a safer community
for everyone.”
Participating agencies included U.S. Marshals Service, Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force, The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Federal Bureau
of Investigation, Springfield Field Office, Safe Streets Task Force, U.S. Department of Homeland
Security Investigations (HSI), Illinois State Police, Illinois Department of Corrections – Parole
(IDOC), St. Clair County Drug Tactical Unit (DTU), St. Clair County Probation, Granite City Police
Department, Alton Police Department, Belleville Police Department, Centralia Police
Department, St. Clair, Madison, Jefferson, Effingham, Marion, and Clinton County
Sheriff’s Departments.