Operation Targeting Violent Fugitives Nets Arrests In Milwaukee: DOJ

MILWAUKEE, WI — Over 800 fugitives were arrested in recent months in Milwaukee and across the country as part of a U.S. Marshals Service operation aimed at combatting violent crime, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Authorities called it Operation North Star II, and it ended in the arrest of 833 fugitives across New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, California, Puerto Rico and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the DOJ said. Authorities from the marshals service gave out more details about the operation in Milwaukee Wednesday morning, according to reports.

The operation arrested 114 in Milwaukee — including 11 for homicide — clearing over 200 warrants, according to a FOX6 News report citing a release from the U.S. Marshals Service for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. U.S. Marshall Anna Ruzinski for the Eastern District of Wisconsin noted that assistance came from several agencies including autorities in Milwaukee, Appleton, Racine, Sheyboygan, Wauwatosa, Waukesha and Manitowoc, according to the FOX6 report.

The high-impact operation lasted for 30 days and focused on fugitives wanted for "the most serious, violent and harmful offenses including homicide, forcible sexual assault, robbery, or aggravated assault," the DOJ release said.

One noteworty arrest in the Milwaukee area happened on Jan. 13 in West Allis, the DOJ said. Members of the Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested Antonio Jenkins who was wanted on charges including endangering safety and battery; plus a charge related to a felon possessing a handgun and one about a machine gun, according to the DOJ release.

“The U.S. Marshals Service remains steadfast in its commitment to assisting law enforcement and community leaders at all levels to combat violent crime,” said Director Ronald Davis of the U.S. Marshals Service. “The success of ONS II is based on its laser focus on the most significant drivers of violence. We are confident that apprehending these offenders will bring a level of justice to their victims and contribute to the overall violence reduction efforts in each city and hopefully bring a level of justice to their victims.”

The operation lasted throughout the month of January, and resulted in the seizure of over 160 kilograms of illegal narcotics and over 180 guns nationwide, the DOJ said.