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A six-week law enforcement operation aimed at combating crime spikes in parts of the Valley led to the arrest of 140 violent fugitives, the U.S. Marshals Service announced.
The sting — dubbed Operation Snake Eyes — ran from Aug. 10 through Sept. 17. Along with the Marshals Service, it involved the Phoenix, Glendale, Mesa and Tempe police departments, the Department of Public Safety, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Fifty-one of those arrested were gang members, according to an agency press release.
Officials also recovered 131 firearms, more than $145,000 in cash and 3,027 counterfeit Fentanyl pills, the Marshals Service said.
U.S. Marshal David Gonzales said the scores of arrests would bring relief to communities hit hard by crime.
“One issue that most people will agree with while debating police issues, is that those who intentionally and indiscriminately cause harm, murder and terrorize citizens should be a priority of the criminal justice system,” he said.
Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams said in a statement she was “proud” of the department’s involvement in the mission, while U.S. Attorney Michael Bailey said the operation’s success was a “testament to the hard work and collaborative effort of our law enforcement partners.”
Gonzales said Operation Snake Eyes focused on gang members, violent criminals and communities with a “high degree” of gun violence.
Among those busted in the sting were Miguel Botello, who was arrested on Sept. 2 on suspicion of selling illegal drugs to undercover detectives.
Brothers Raymond and Martin Fierroz were also arrested at a west Phoenix home for weapons offenses on Aug. 26. A search of the home yielded 16 firearms, more than 1,300 Fentanyl pills, nearly 350 Xanax pills, a ballistic vest and 20,000 rounds of ammunition, the Marshals Service said.
David Medina was arrested on suspicion of drug possession, weapons misconduct and a probation violation. The Marshals Service said Medina is a documented member of a criminal street gang and Mexican Mafia prison gang. He was arrested and searched on Aug. 18, at which point he was found to be in possession of a handgun and loaded 50-round drum magazine, as well as illegal drugs.
Thomas Lee, a member of the Southern Bloods street gang, was arrested on suspicion of firing multiple rounds from a rifle toward a residence and surrounding vehicles, the Marshals Service said. Several agencies initiated a fugitive investigation, with Lee failing to stop when officials attempted to pull him over on Sept. 9.
Lee ditched the vehicle and attempted to flee but was eventually taken into custody. He faces charges of aggravated assault with a firearm, unlawful flight from law enforcement, weapons misconduct, assisting a criminal street gang, discharging a firearm at an occupied structure, possession of a firearm during a drug offense and marijuana possession.
Reach the reporter at [email protected] or 602-444-8529. Follow her on Twitter @brieannafrank.
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