The U.S. Marshals have arrested 260 suspects in the southeastern region of Wisconsin over the past three months, where cities such as Milwaukee, Racine, Port Washington, and Lake Geneva are located.
Of the 260 arrests, 29 were for homicide and 28 arrestees were gang members, the U.S. Marshals said in a July 10 press release.
In its operation “to target violent criminals” the U.S. Marshals seized 83 firearms, 132.8 kilograms of narcotics, one vehicle, and $84,547 in currency between April and June.
“Day after day this group is relentless on hunting and arresting violent fugitives, while keeping the community and all involved safe. It does have a positive impact on combatting crime,” U.S. Marshal Anna Ruzinski said in a statement.
The U.S. Marshals’ Fugitive Task Force for the Eastern District of Wisconsin worked with local law enforcement to increase its efforts in tackling crime “to coincide with the months leading up to summer when we know there is an influx of visitors to these cities.”
Milwaukee is host to the 2024 Republican National Convention (RNC) at the Fiserv Forum sports complex from July 15–18, when former President Donald Trump is expected to be nominated as the Republican candidate for presidency.
Gang Enforcement Task Force
According to 2023 fiscal year data, the U.S. Marshals implemented 57 local gang enforcement task forces in the eight congressionally funded regions that include southeastern Wisconsin.
“Task force officers are state and local police officers who receive special deputations with the Marshals. While on a task force, these officers can exercise U.S. Marshals authorities, such as crossing jurisdictional lines,” the report said.
In 2023, the U.S. Marshals implemented Operation Triple Beam to target violent gang activity using the “eight regionally-located Counter Gang Units and the 57 district-based fugitive task forces.”
“The Marshals play a key role in the attorney general’s strategy to disrupt and dismantle major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations,” the report said.
“Through its participation as a component of DOJ’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces Program, the Marshals Service provides its unique fugitive apprehension skills in identifying, locating and arresting the nation’s most prolific drug traffickers and leaders of the world’s largest transnational criminal organizations.”
The U.S. Marshals arrested 3,496 gang members and a total of 73,362 fugitives in 2023, according to the data.
“I could not be prouder of the collaborative work our Task Force does,” Ms. Ruzinski said.
