LIHU‘E — Sexual predators, fugitives wanted for crimes of violence, and others were rounded up early last month in the U.S. Marshals Service Operation FALCON, according to a U.S. Marshals Service press release. The exact number of people arrested and
LIHU‘E — Sexual predators, fugitives wanted for crimes of violence, and others were rounded up early last month in the U.S. Marshals Service Operation FALCON, according to a U.S. Marshals Service press release.
The exact number of people arrested and warrants served on Kaua‘i was not known, but statewide Operation FALCON (Federal And Local Cops Organized Nationally) netted 237 arrests.
Operation FALCON — The Hawai‘i District combined the collective efforts of multiple law-enforcement agencies in one of the area’s largest-ever fugitive initiatives, focusing on capturing individuals wanted on felony charges including sexual predators and fugitives wanted for crimes of violence, according to the release.
Over the course of the month-long operation, deputy U.S. Marshals teamed with federal, state and local law-enforcement partners, arrested 237 fugitives, including 12 sex offenders, and cleared 266 warrants on O‘ahu, Maui, Kaua‘i and the Big Island.
Among the highest-profile people arrested was Eugene Monte Tupuola, a fugitive wanted by the U.S. Marshals for violation of supervised release relating to a drug conviction, according to the release.
Tupuola was also wanted by the Honolulu Police Department for attempted murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm. A one-day search led by the Hawai‘i Fugitive Task Force resulted in the apprehension of Tupuola.
Derek Vaughn States was wanted by HPD on an indictment involving money laundering, theft and prohibited securities practices. States, a fugitive for nine years, was located by U.S. Marshals in Bangkok, Thailand, and apprehended by Thai authorities.
“The goal of Operation FALCON is simple — to make communities safer,” said John F. Clark, director of the U.S. Marshals Service.
“Each time we wrap up a FALCON operation in any location, there are less dangerous individuals — and fewer threats to the community — than before we arrived there. That is very gratifying,” Clark said.
Operation FALCON — Hawai‘i consisted of 113 federal, state and local law-enforcement officers, making up four separate arrest teams working throughout the month-long operation.
Each participating local officer was sworn in as a special deputy U.S. Marshal immediately prior to the start of this operation.
This special authority empowers them to cross traditional lines of jurisdiction to track down and arrest targeted fugitives throughout the operation, according to the release.
According to Hawai‘i U.S. Marshal Mark M. Hanohano, “It is only through the cooperation, collaboration and the united effort of various law-enforcement agencies that we can effectively keep our communities safe and comfortable by the apprehension of wanted fugitives.”
Agencies contributing to Operation FALCON include the state Department of Public Safety Sheriff’s Division, state Department of Human Services Investigations Office, Maui Police Department, Hawai‘i Police Department, Kaua‘i Police Department, federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Diplomatic Security Service, federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, and Explosives, Naval Criminal Investigation Services, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Services and Drug Enforcement Administration.
Since its inception in 2005, Operation FALCON has made more than 91,086 arrests and cleared more than 117,874 warrants nationwide. It continues to be the largest and most successful fugitive-apprehension effort in U.S. Marshals history, according to the release.
The U.S. Marshals, www.usmarshals.gov, is America’s oldest federal law-enforcement agency.
