DENVER, CO (LAWFUEL) – The state of Colorado is a safer place after local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies joined forces to arrest area fugitives this week. The U.S. Marshals Service organized the operation and targeted sexual predators, violent offenders, gang members, and narcotics violations. The initiative resulted in the arrest of 115 fugitives and cleared 121 warrants. The operation is part of an ongoing effort conducted nationally by the U.S. Marshals.
Operation FALCON (Federal And Local Cops Organized Nationally) combined area law enforcement resources and delivered the bad news to fugitives and their associates. Law enforcement officers from 17 agencies dedicated resources to the week-long effort. This national partnership has been bad news for criminals in the past by removing them from the streets to reduce crime and clearing backlogged warrant files.
Enrique Javier Moncada, 24, of Evans, was arrested by FALCON investigators in Greeley. Moncada was wanted for Second Degree Kidnapping, Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft, and Third Degree Assault and has a lengthy criminal history.
“While Operation FALCON has been referred to as a dragnet, or a sweep, we target very specific types of criminals when we conduct these operations,” said John F. Clark, Director of the U.S. Marshals Service. “The emphasis of Operation FALCON has been, and continues to be, violent fugitives, gang related crimes, crimes against children, and sex offenses. Since Operation FALCON began in 2005, it has directly resulted in the arrest of nearly 1,000 gang members and more than 3,800 sex offenders. FALCON has been hitting its mark.”
Fugitives featured in previous years Top 50 Round-up were also targeted and nabbed this week. Three fugitives from the 2006 Top 50 and one from 2007 were located in other states.
Juan Vidrio (2006) was wanted by Thornton Police Department for Sexual Assault on a Child. U.S. Marshals located him in Portland, Oregon. Marilyn Morrison and Carlton Greenley (2006) were captured in Anaconda, Montana. Both were wanted by the Department of Correction on parole violations, Morrison on an original charge of Attempted Murder, and Greenley on an original charge of Sexual Assault. Greenley was also wanted for Escape. Anthony Preston (2007), wanted for Contempt of Court on an original charge of Enticement of a Child, was found in Reno, Nevada, living and working under an assumed identity.
The agencies participating in Operation FALCON this year included: ATF, Arapahoe
County Sheriff, Arvada PD, Aurora PD, Colorado State Patrol, Commerce City PD, DEA, Denver PD, Colorado Department of Corrections, Department of Homeland Security, Douglas County Sheriff, Englewood PD, Jefferson County Sheriff, Johnstown PD, Dept. of Veterans Affairs-OIG, and Weld County Sheriff.
