United States Drug Enforcement Administration

NEWARK, N.J. - - Federal and local agencies have united under the U.S. Marshals Service banner to help reduce violence in the City of Newark as an extension of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Violence Reduction Initiative. The U.S. Marshals Service in the District of New Jersey and the U.S. Marshals Service NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force serving alongside the Newark Police Department and various law enforcement agencies, conducted the operation over a four week period during this recent month of May and targeted the city’s most violent offenders.  This operation resulted in the arrest of 240 violent fugitives, which included 46 documented gang members and sex offenders. 

The Violence Reduction Initiative was conducted throughout the City of Newark during the month of May, May 2nd through May 27th specifically.  The goal of this endeavor was to have an immediate, lasting impact on the safety of the residents throughout their community by strategically targeting the city’s most dangerous fugitives.  Federal marshals and task force officers specifically strived to capture offenders with violent charges as well as sex offenders and documented gang members. Not only were some of Newark’s most violent offenders apprehended during this month-long operation, but the officers also seized guns, drugs, and money.  Of these notable seizures, the federal marshals and officers confiscated six handguns, one assault rifle, three sets of body armor, hollow point ammunition, and large quantities of marijuana, pills, and heroin.  Also seized were two illegally owned baby alligators.

The number of fugitive arrests and seizures that this operation produced has made the streets of Newark safer.  However, the Initiative also highlights law enforcement’s vast capabilities when federal, state, and local agencies partner together.  "The success of this operation shows how effective law enforcement can be when we focus our combined knowledge and resources on specific targets," U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said. "By working together with a clear strategy, all of our partners in this initiative have achieved results that should leave the streets of Newark safer and make the people who live and work here, feel more secure. Marshal Mattos and his team have done an outstanding job coordinating this effort."

The U.S. Marshal for the District of New Jersey, Juan Mattos Jr., stated; “The impressive achievement of this operation was a direct result of the collective efforts of our federal, state, county, and local partners working hand-in-hand to make Newark safer.” The partners of this successful operation consisted of the U.S. Marshals Service for the District of New Jersey, the U.S. Marshals Service NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force, Newark Police Department, the Essex County Prosecutors Office, the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, the New Jersey State Police, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, ICE Enforcement Removal Operations, Customs and Border Protection, and the New Jersey Transit Police. 

‘Joint operations’ are an intrinsic characteristic of the U.S. Marshals Service.  Since the introduction of district and regional fugitive task forces during the 1980’s, the U.S. Marshals Service has continued to combine their resources and expertise with local, state, and federal agencies in locating and apprehending their most violent fugitives. The Violence Reduction Initiative of May 2016 in the City of Newark is another benchmark of this tradition. 

U.S. Marshal Juan Mattos Jr. further complimented the numerous “courageous men and women of our law enforcement partners. Together and only together can we make our communities safer. The U.S. Marshals Service for the District of New Jersey will remain focused on seeing that fugitives that pose a serious threat to public safety are brought to justice.”

Carl J. Kotowski, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Jersey Division said, “This was a very successful operation utilizing the resources of law enforcement on all levels.  This is an example of why fugitives should never get comfortable because someday, somewhere, we will be coming for them.”

 “The FBI Newark Field Office is unwavering in its commitment to making Newark, and the surrounding communities, a safe place to live,” stated Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher. “As part of the Violence Reduction Network, the FBI, working with the U.S. Marshals Service and our law enforcement partners, has made numerous arrests to reduce crime, safeguard our citizens, and carry out our mission to protect and serve.”