How an operation by US Marshals, police led to the arrest of 80 fugitives around Des Moines

Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Des Moines Register
Updated ·2 min read
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A six-week long operation in the Des Moines metro and surrounding area led to more than 80 fugitives being arrested.

The U.S. Marshals of Southern Iowa Fugitive Task Force worked with law enforcement in "Operation Never Forget" to find people with outstanding local, state, and federal arrest warrants, according to a release.

Every person found had pending charges involving guns, drugs, assaults, sex offenses or other violent crimes. Four firearms were confiscated.

United States Marshal Ted Kamatchus said in a release that all those involved remain committed to protecting the community and working to prohibit violent crime, “The success of Operation Never Forget is a testament to this combined commitment and to the spirit of cooperation amongst all law enforcement professionals in the Southern District of Iowa.”

How did 'Operation Never Forget' work?

The six-week-long operation was divided into three phases: Investigation, enforcement and follow-up.

From Aug. 14 to Sept. 8, agencies picked out the arrest warrants they wanted to work on, learned the whereabouts of several fugitives and arrested about 40 people, according to the release.

From Sept. 11 to Sept. 15, the operation was in the enforcement stage. Three teams of law enforcement representing nine agencies worked out of the Polk County Sheriff's Office Headquarters to arrest 40 more people. Most were in the Des Moines area, the release said, but some were found farther away like Waterloo and Olathe, Kansas.

Investigators followed up on additional information from Sept. 18 to Sept. 22 and arrested two more people, according to the release

Polk County Sheriff Kevin Schneider said in a release that the operation was an example of the law enforcement capabilities in central Iowa, “The Polk County Sheriff’s Office understands the importance of teamwork and what law enforcement can accomplish when local, state, and federal agencies work together."

What agencies were involved?

There were nine local, state and federal agencies involved in the investigation including:

  • U.S. Marshals Service

  • Polk County Sheriff's Office

  • Iowa Department of Corrections Fugitive Team

  • Ames Police Department

  • Homeland Security

  • Des Moines Police Department

  • Ankeny Police Department

  • Drug Enforcement Administration

  • Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Noelle Alviz-Gransee is a breaking news reporter at the Des Moines Register. Follow her on Twitter @NoelleHannika or email her at NAlvizGransee@registermedia.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: US Marshals, police arrest more than 80 Iowa fugitives during operation