"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - CN Marshals Take Part in Operation FALCON

"Cherokee Nation
Marshal Service"

Some Cherokee Nation Marshals recently partnered with the U.S. Marshals Office to participate in a unique month-long fugitive apprehension effort that spanned 26 counties in eastern Oklahoma. FALCON, the acronym for Federal and Local Cops Organized Nationally, soared into the area June 1. By the time the operation was over, 569 fugitives had been apprehended and 994 warrants cleared, according to John W. Loyd, U.S. Marshal with the Eastern District of Oklahoma.

Operation FALCON 2009, the sixth in the series of U.S. Marshals Service-led fugitive apprehension initiatives, partnered Deputy U.S. marshals with local police, tribal officers, sheriffs, state troopers and other federal agencies, each dedicating man power and resources to the goal of removing as many violent offenders from area streets and communities as possible while clearing backlogged warrants from law enforcement’s files.

Cherokee Nation Marshals who participated in this year’s effort were Senior Sgt. Scott Craig, Sgt. Mike Reese, Marshal Tony Asbill and Investigator James Harper.

Commander Donnie Bowin of the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service said that cross-deputizations between the Marshal Service and other agencies make these types of partnership initiatives possible.

“Operation Falcon is always a great opportunity to work with other agencies,” said Bowin. “We have participated for the past several years and it is always very successful.”

Since its inception in 2005, Operation FALCON has made 91,086 arrests and cleared 117,874 warrants nationwide. It continues to be the largest and most successful fugitive apprehension effort in U.S. Marshals history.

Arrests in the Eastern District of Oklahoma targeted fugitives wanted for crimes of violence, sex offenders, gang members and narcotics violations. Participating agencies were encouraged to identify wanted persons within their communities, who were then targeted by assigned arrest teams within each geographical area.

“The goal of Operation FALCON is simple – to make communities safer”, said John F. Clark, Director of the U.S. Marshals Service. “Each time we wrap up a FALCON operation in any location, there are less dangerous individuals – and fewer threats to the community – than before we arrived there. That is very gratifying.”

When law enforcement agencies combine their resources, the greater good of society always comes out on top.

“Good teamwork between law enforcement agencies throughout Eastern Oklahoma is standard,” said U.S. Marshal John Loyd. “But a spirit of cooperation rising to this level for an endeavor this massive is unprecedented. The commitment of forty-nine agencies and the participation of over 345 law enforcement officers resulted in the clearance of 994 warrants in Eastern Oklahoma. Each participating deputy, officer and agent should take pride in the exceptional role they played in helping to create a safer Oklahoma.”

“It’s important to us to be part of these operations,” said Bowin. “We are proud to be able to help and bring the Marshal Service’s unique talents, training and perspective to the partnership.”

The Cherokee Nation Marshal Service has provided community policing and public safety since its inception in 1990. The Marshal Service holds cross-deputization agreements with 12 counties and more than 40 cities throughout the Cherokee Nation’s 14-county tribal jurisdiction service area, allowing for effective, efficient law enforcement regardless of the status of land where a crime is committed. With more than 30 highly-trained sworn officers and more than a dozen reserve officers, the Marshal Service provides an important community presence, particularly in many rural areas where there was previously no law enforcement.