Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg and United States Marshal William Berger announce the results of recent operations conducted by the United States Marshals Service Florida/Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. In addition to finding and arresting fugitives charged with violent crimes, distribution of illicit narcotics, sex offenses, and other serious felonies, the United States Marshals Service Task Force provides direct support to law enforcement agencies in tracking down and recovering missing children. From January 1 through June 30, 2022, the United States Marshals Service Florida/Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force made over 1,500 felony arrests in Florida.
The United States Marshals Service Florida/Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force is headquartered in the Middle District of Florida and includes 88 federal, state, and local law-enforcement agencies. Nationally, the United States Marshals Service fugitive programs are carried out with federal, state, and local law enforcement in 94 district offices, eight regional task forces, 67 local fugitive task forces, as well as a growing network of offices in foreign countries around the world.
“The U.S. Marshals Service Florida/Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force is a model of interagency cooperation, and the results announced today show how well we work together in the Middle District of Florida,” said U.S. Attorney Handberg. “We bring together the combined resources of federal, state, and local law enforcement to make our communities safer.”
“The U.S. Marshals Service and the United States Attorney’s Office are committed to our federal, state, and local law-enforcement partners,” said Marshal Berger. “Members of the U.S. Marshals Service Florida/Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force put themselves in harm’s way each and every day and night to locate and apprehend dangerous fugitives and to rescue children. We are committed to this mission.”
In addition to the hundreds of arrests in the first part of this year, the Task Force has recently made arrests of violent offenders around the district, including:
- July 5, 2022, in Jacksonville, Oba Carter (47) for first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, and robbery;
- July 6, 2022, in Orange County, Eric Adkins (52) for sexual battery of a minor child; and
- July 7, 2022, in Tampa, Ronny Walker (44) for first degree murder of a minor.
Every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.