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US Marshals Arrest 69 in Southern West Virginia in Operation Mattock

News2024-10-02

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A U.S. Marshals Southern District of West Virginia CUFFED (Cops United Felony Fugitive Enforcement Division) Task Force three-week warrant operation has resulted in 69 felony arrests.

During Operation Mattock, conducted from Sept.9 to Oct. 1, law enforcement officers also recovered 3.8 pounds of methamphetamine, 76.6 grams fentanyl, 33 grams crack cocaine and seven firearms. The wanted subjects had a wide range of felony warrants to include conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, sexual assault, kidnapping, delivery and sale of controlled substances, weapons offenses, burglary, assault on law enforcement, and malicious wounding and assault.

Significant arrests include:

Jamie Ray Jones, 32, of Marion County, who was arrested Sept. 23 in the Kelly’s Creek area of Kanawha County. Jones was wanted by the Fairmont Police Department for kidnapping and attempted first-degree murder. Jones was also wanted in a separate case for accessory after the fact of murder. Xavier Perkins, 36, of Richmond, Virginia, who was taken into custody on Sept. 19. Perkins was wanted out of Richmond for absconding from home electric monitoring and failing to appear in circuit court for narcotics and probation violation. Perkins is also a person of interest in a double homicide investigation.

Two sex offenders were also federally indicted on Oct. 1 for violations of the Adam Walsh Act. One critically missing child was also recovered during the operation.

“I would like to thank our partner agencies across Southern West Virginia for dedicating officers to the CUFFED (Cops United Felony Fugitive Enforcement Division) Task Force,” said U.S. Marshal Michael T. Baylous, Southern District of West Virginia. “Their commitment and dedication have allowed the CUFFED Task Force to become one of the most efficient and effective in the country at apprehending fugitives.”

With Each Operation the CUFFED (Cops United Felony Fugitive Enforcement Division) Task Force conducts, we honor and recognize a law enforcement officer that has inspired the CUFFED Task Force with their service and dedication to accomplish the mission. In keeping with that tradition, we dedicate Operation Mattock to Retired West Virginia State Police Captain and former Sheriff of Putnam County, Mark Smith. His service and leadership have personally impacted each of us here today. If you look up the word role model in the dictionary, his picture belongs next to the definition.

Capt. Mark L. Smith