More than 160 fugitives, gang members, sex offenders and violent criminals are off the streets of the Eastern District of Tennessee as a result of Operation Violence Reduction7 (VR7), a six-week long U.S. Marshals-led enforcement initiative conducted to reduce violent crime. These operations were a part of the USMS national initiative which resulted in more than 7,100 arrests.
"Operation VR7 was not about increasing arrest numbers, but rather an effort to further protect communities by targeting the most dangerous felony fugitives,” said U.S. Marshals Service Director Stacia Hylton. “The approach was quality versus quantity and was strengthened by working with community leaders and local law enforcement to get the worst of the worst fugitives off the streets.”
“As part of Operation VR7, the U.S. Marshals for the Eastern District of Tennessee and the local agencies that make up the Smoky Mountains Fugitive Task Force apprehended 168 violent, dangerous, fugitives and cleared 221 warrants," said U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Tennessee Jimmy Fowler. "More than 20 of the fugitives arrested are known gang members. These individuals were a real threat to our communities as they were wanted for offenses such as felon in possession of a weapon, child molestation, kidnapping, rape, and murder. The operation also resulted in the confiscation of three firearms and 1.018 kilograms of drugs, ranging from cocaine and heroin to marijuana and prescription pills."
The narrow criteria for cases adopted and investigated during Operation VR7 included fugitives wanted for murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, robbery, aggravated assault, arson, abduction/kidnapping, sexual assault and child molestation. Additionally, VR7 investigators focused on apprehending fugitives with three or more prior felony arrests for violent crimes and wanted for narcotics, weapons offenses, assault/battery and threats. Gang members and sex offenders received high-priority for apprehension.
During Operation VR7, the U.S. Marshals focused its approach through use of the agency’s multi-jurisdictional investigative authority and its fugitive task force networks. Using real time, ground level intelligence on criminal activity, the local operation was concentrated in Hamilton, Blount, Knox, Sevier and Greene counties.
“There were many long days under harsh conditions, but the results made it all worth it," said Marshal Fowler. "From Chattanooga to Bristol, Deputy U.S. Marshals along with sheriff deputies and local police officers partnered up to bring these criminals to justice. The U.S. Marshals Service thanks all the members of the Smoky Mountains Fugitive Task Force for their dedication and hard work."
“Operations like VR7 are a great opportunity to showcase the benefits of our continuing collaboration with other law enforcement agencies at the federal, state, and local level,” stated Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Hammond. “Through these efforts we are able to improve the safety of our communities by bringing these violent fugitives to justice."
"We show our commitment to our citizens and their safety through operations like VR7 because not only are these dangerous criminals taken off the streets, but so are drugs and weapons,” stated Chattanooga Police Department Chief Fred Fletcher. “These arrests have a beneficial ripple effect because many of these fugitives have a history of violent offenses."
Between March 2 and April 10, Operation VR7 resulted nationwide in 7,127 arrests, including 750 gang members, and the seizure of 383 firearms and more than 69 kilograms of illegal narcotics. Individual charges included 519 for homicide; 922 for weapons; 1,888 for assault; 583 for sexual assault; 1,093 for robbery; and 2,654 for narcotics. Additionally, 10 missing children were recovered.
"For more than 225 years, the U.S. Marshals Service has been committed in supporting the criminal justice system with the apprehension of violent felony fugitives, and is the leader in apprehending the worst of the worst offenders,” said Marshal Fowler. “The success of Operation VR7 locally demonstrates what is possible when we as law enforcement, federal, state and local, work together to make our communities safer.”
The following agencies are members of the U.S. Marshals’ Smoky Mountains Fugitive Taskforce:
Knox County Sheriffs Office
Blount County Sheriffs Office
Cocke County Sheriffs Office
Hamilton County Sheriffs Office
Washington County Sheriffs Office
Sevier County Sheriffs Office
Jefferson County Sheriffs Office
East Ridge Police Department
Tennessee Department of Corrections
Chattanooga Police Department
Knoxville Police Department
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
14th District Drug Task Force
Maynardville Police Department
United States Secret Service
For more information about Operation VR7 visit www.usmarshals.gov.