U.S. Marshals Operation Trident Targets Fugitives, Unregistered Sex Offenders, and Missing Children
Cleveland, OH – United States Marshal Pete Elliott announces the successful conclusion of Operation TriDENT in the city of Cleveland. For 30 days, members of the U.S. Marshals led Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) increased their presence in the city of Cleveland with teams from all across northern Ohio traveling to arrest violent fugitives, seek unregistered sex offenders, and locate missing children.
Cleveland Division of Police Chief Todd stated, "Operation TriDENT reflects the dedication, professionalism, and teamwork of our officers and partner agencies. Over the past month, their tireless efforts have demonstrated a unified commitment to enhancing public safety throughout the City of Cleveland." Chief Todd continued, "On any given day, two to three coordinated teams were actively engaged across the city—a coordinated effort to achieve the operation’s mission. I’m proud of the collaboration and professionalism demonstrated throughout this operation.”
During the course of the operation, over 130 violent fugitives were arrested. Members of the task force focused on all violent crimes, including five arrests of homicide suspects, but with a special focus on those wanted for gun related crimes and felonious assault. 46 individuals were arrested for felonious assault warrants and 20 had firearms-related cases.
Additionally, eleven firearms were recovered during the 30-day operation, along with over 3,000 rounds of ammunition. Of those eleven weapons, two had been reported stolen. During the operation, members of the NOVFTF arrested individuals wanted for significantly violent offenses, such as Shon Turner, 34. Turner was wanted by the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department for felonious assault after he pushed a 6-year-old child out of a third story window. The child sustained very serious injuries. Turner was arrested within hours of the warrant being issued. Also arrested during the operation was Aaron Sharp, 24. Sharp was wanted by the East Cleveland Police Department (ECPD) after he allegedly shot and killed two family members and then shot and wounded two police officers. Members of the NOVFTF, ECPD, EDGE SWAT and Cuyahoga County SWAT arrested Sharp only a few blocks from the original crime scenes.
“This is a prime example of how local-federal partnerships should work and the impactful results those bring — with more than 100 fugitives arrested, thousands of rounds of ammunition recovered, and dangerous drugs removed from our streets,” said Mayor Justin M. Bibb. “Partnerships like this are strongest and most effective when coordinated in tandem with local police departments. We greatly appreciate the U.S. Marshals and will continue to collaborate with other federal law enforcement agencies who similarly operate by keeping the needs of the local communities they serve in mind.”
In addition to violent fugitives, members of the NOVFTF focused on those wanted for various sex crimes and recovering critically missing children, two more investigative missions of the U.S. Marshals Service. The operation saw ten children recovered or located by the work of the Missing Child Unit here in the city of Cleveland. Additionally, ten fugitives were arrested for sexually oriented crimes. One of those arrests included John Armstrong, 50, who was not only wanted for rape of a juvenile by the Summit County Sheriff’s Office but also wanted by ECPD for homicide. Armstrong attempted to hide in Dayton, Ohio but members of the NOVFTF were able to locate him in an apartment there. Armstrong shot at officers when they approached the apartment. He was eventually taken into custody, and no law enforcement officers were injured.
U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “The task force partnership in the city of Cleveland is our longest standing in the entirety of northern Ohio. The NOVFTF is incredibly proud of this partnership and will continue, day in and day out, to work with law enforcement partners and community partners to keep the city of Cleveland safe and free from the clutches of criminals who intend to do it harm.”
Anyone with information concerning a wanted fugitive can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833), or you can submit a web tip. Reward money is available, and tipsters may remain anonymous. Follow the U.S. Marshals on Twitter @USMSCleveland.
The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force – Cleveland Division is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies: U.S. Marshals Service, Cleveland Police Department, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department, Euclid Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Independence Police Department, Parma Police Department, Aurora Police Department, Solon Police Department, Cleveland RTA Police Department, Westlake Police Department, Bedford Police Department, Middleburg Heights Police Department, Newburgh Heights Police Department and the Metrohealth Police Department.
Source: U.S. Marshals Service, usmarshals.gov
