2 Murder Fugitives Arrested

New Haven, CT - The U.S. Marshals (USMS) Violent Fugitive Task Force, Hartford Police Department, and Connecticut State Police arrested two men today wanted on murder charges for separate incidents.

On November 4, 2023, a man was found fatally stabbed around 605 Albany Avenue in Hartford. Despite lifesaving efforts by medical personnel at Sain Francis hospital the victim had succumbed to his injuries.

As a result of the investigation by the Hartford Police Department an arrest warrant was issued for Byron Williams, 36, of Hartford charging him with murder. Today, members of the Hartford Police department, USMS Fugitive Task Force and Connecticut State police apprehended Williams at a residence on Cabot Street in Hartford.

In the early morning hours of December 9, 2023, the Williamsport Pennsylvania Police Department responded to the 1000 block of Memorial Avenue in Williamsport. Officers located a victim, Jermaine Derick Mullen, 29, of Williamsport, lying in the street suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Officers and EMS personnel rendered aid but Mullen succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

As a result of the shooting investigation Benjamin Villanueva, 33, of Connecticut was identified as the assailant. Today members of the Hartford Police department, USMS Fugitive Task Force and Connecticut State police apprehended Villanueva at a residence on near 1600 Main Street in Hartford.

Villanueva and Williams were transported to the Hartford Police Department for processing. Williams is being charged with murder by the state of Connecticut. Villanueva is being charged as a fugitive from justice pending extradition to Pennsylvania to face murder and parole violation charges.

Since the inception of the U.S. Marshals – Connecticut Violent Fugitive Task Force in 1999, these partnerships have resulted in over 14,462 arrests (Updated as of 02/09/2024). The task force’s objective is to seek out and arrest violent fugitives and sexual predators. Membership agencies include Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, Norwalk, Waterbury Police Departments and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. These arrests have ranged in seriousness from murder, assault, unregistered sex offenders, probation and parole violations and numerous other serious offenses. Nationally the U.S. Marshals Service fugitive programs are carried out with local law enforcement in 94 district offices, 85 local fugitive task forces, eight regional task forces, as well as a growing network of offices in foreign countries.

Source: U.S. Marshals Service, usmarshals.gov