Cedar Rapids, IA – The U.S.
Marshals Northern Iowa Fugitive Task Force has been conducting an
initiative focused on apprehending Iowa’s Most Wanted fugitive sex
offenders, playing a unique role in efforts to combat child
exploitation. During this operation, 13 Most Wanted sex
offenders were located and arrested throughout Iowa. These arrests
resulted in the recovery of two firearms, multiple rounds of ammunition,
narcotics, and three new criminal cases presented to the U.S. Attorney’s
office for consideration. Of the 13 subjects arrested, seven had prior
convictions for crimes against children under the age of 13. All of the
fugitives arrested were in a non-compliant status with Iowa’s Sex
Offender Registry. The Iowa Sex Offender Registry became law on
July 1, 1995, and is maintained and updated daily by the Iowa Department
of Public Safety. Today, there are 6,549 registered sex offenders in the
state of Iowa. The offenders listed on the
Most Wanted website
have been in a non-compliance status with the registry and have active
arrest warrants on file. Today, 49 offenders remain on Iowa’s Most
Wanted. “Much of the success of this operation can be attributed
to the vigilant efforts of our community members,” said Superivory
Deputy U.S. Marshal Phil Hartung. “Throughout this operation, tips were
received through the
Iowa Sex Offender Registry’s tipline and through the
United State
Marshals tipline.“The relationship between the United States
Marshal’s Service and the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Sex
Offender Registry is an invaluable one,” said Iowa Department of Public
Safety Special Agent in Charge J. Hunter Bellon. “The expertise the USMS
provides regarding fugitive apprehension, coupled with the local
knowledge and investigative skill of our Special Agents, Sheriff’s
Deputies, and Police Officers creates a very strong and effective law
enforcement resource. The work these individuals put in on a daily basis
along with the support of our communities, truly makes Iowa a safer
place.” The Northern Iowa Fugitive Task Force is seeking
additional support from the community in locating Iowa’s Most Wanted.
The U.S. Marshals are offering cash rewards for information directly
leading to the arrest of sex offenders who are in a non-compliant
status. Tips submitted are entirely confidential, completely anonymous
and are processed by the United States Marshals Service.“Ensuring our community’s safety is a continual effort, and our Deputy
Marshals in Iowa will continue to track these offenders who are
deliberately out of compliance,” said acting U.S. Marshal for the
District of Northern Iowa Chris Barther. “The Department of Justice’s
(DOJ) Project Safe Childhood relies upon the ongoing efforts and
relationships between law enforcement agencies, nonprofit entities
(including schools), advocacy organizations and many others to protect
and defend children against sexual exploitation and abuse.”
The U.S. Marshals Service is the federal
government’s primary agency for fugitive investigations. Nationwide,
more than 50 local task forces are dedicated to violent crime reduction
by locating and apprehending wanted criminals. These task forces also
serve as the central point for agencies to share information on fugitive
matters. The Northern Iowa Fugitive Task Force comprises officers from
the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the
Linn County Sheriff’s office, Cedar Rapids Police Department, Waterloo
Police Department, Marion Police Department, Sioux City Police
Department, the Nebraska State Patrol, the Iowa Division of Criminal
Investigation, and the Iowa Department of Correctional Services.
Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found
at http://www.usmarshals.gov.
####America’s
First Federal Law Enforcement Agency