FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — Federal prosecutors said a U.S. Marshals Service-led warrant enforcement operation in Southern Illinois over three days resulted in 21 arrests and the seizure of four firearms and 12 grams of narcotics, targeting violent fugitives with felony warrants and identifying gang members in the district’s southern counties.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois announced the results today, describing the coordinated effort as carried out by law enforcement officials with the U.S. Marshals Service Southern District of Illinois Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force.
Building on “Operation Safe Christmas,” officials said the operation led to the arrests of fugitives described as dangerous. One fugitive arrested in Edwardsville is charged with three counts of aggravated murder and three counts of murder related to a 1992 fire in Napoleon, Ohio.
Another fugitive arrested in Creal Springs, Illinois, is charged with Crimes Against Persons in Williamson County, Illinois.
The U.S. Marshals Service Southern District of Illinois Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force includes participating agencies from the Illinois State Police, Belleville Police Department, Granite City Police Department, Alton Police Department, ATF Chicago, Homeland Security Investigations, Illinois Department of Corrections – Parole, St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department, Madison County Sheriff’s Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department and the Effingham County Sheriff’s Department.
“The U.S. Marshals led this successful operation to remove dangerous fugitives from our local communities,” U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft said. “This operation highlights law enforcement at its best. Thanks to the strong leadership of the U.S. Marshals, this coordinated operation ensures that these violent fugitives will be brought to justice, all while strengthening partnerships and public safety throughout the Southern District of Illinois.”
U.S. Marshal David C. Davis said the effort was conducted as “Operation Big Muddy.”
“Operation Big Muddy, though executed over just two working days, showcased the precision and effectiveness of the Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force in the Southern District of Illinois,” Davis said. “The operation strategically targeted the most dangerous offenders, including those wanted for homicide, major drug trafficking, weapons violations, and other violent crimes. Its success underscores not only the task force’s commitment to public safety, but also the strength of its partnerships—without the dedication and collaboration of our law enforcement partners, these results would not have been possible.”
