U.S. Marshals Service Join with Interpol for Worldwide Fugitive Apprehension

Operation INFRA-RED 2010

Washington - The U.S. Marshals Service recently participated in a worldwide manhunt for violent fugitives, providing investigative support to Interpol and Crime Stoppers International during Operation International Fugitive Round-up and Arrest - Red Notices also known as INFRA-RED 2010.

Operation INFRA-RED 2010, a cooperative effort combining the resources of Interpol, CSI, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. National Central Bureau (Interpol Washington) and other law enforcement agencies from 29 countries across six continents, produced one of the most successful international fugitive apprehension operation in Interpol history, officials said. The success of the operation hinged on the exchange of information concerning violent fugitives who have fled internationally and are believed to be residing in other countries.

Operation INFRA-RED 2010, which began May 3, targeted 450 convicted or wanted persons worldwide identified by the 29 participating member countries. More than 2,450 law enforcement messages were exchanged between law enforcement agencies worldwide resulting in 130 individuals being located or arrested. New information on 357 of the cases has also been provided to Interpol, including possible locations, travel details, photographs and telephone numbers.

International fugitive cases are particularly difficult, and INFRA-RED targeted the “worst of the worst” offenders. Leaders at the Department of Justice and the U.S. Marshals Service expressed gratitude for the outstanding cooperation by law enforcement across the globe and the exceptional public interest and assistance generated during this operation.

“Anytime we can take a violent fugitive off the streets is a good day, but when we do so on a large, international scale it is truly an amazing accomplishment,” said U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. “I am impressed with the level of cooperation and involvement we were able to achieve during Operation INFRA-RED.”

During Operation INFRA-RED, the U.S. Marshals Service dedicated investigative resources, including its national network of fugitive task forces, foreign field offices, and technical surveillance and criminal intelligence assets. Representatives from the U.S. Marshals Service also went to Interpol Headquarters in Lyon, France on May 1 to provide investigative support for Operation INFRA-RED 2010.

"Having U.S. Marshals deployed to the Interpol General Secretariat headquarters in Lyon for the duration of Infra-Red, meant that all of the countries taking part in the operation could benefit from their expertise and experience in fugitive investigations," said Ronald K. Noble, Interpol Secretary General. "Their presence, combined with the support of the U.S. Marshals in the United States and the Interpol National Central Bureau in Washington made a significant contribution to the success of the operation, which has so far seen 130 fugitives located and arrested around the world.”

U.S. Marshals investigators coordinated with officers from various countries throughout the world to locate and arrest violent fugitives worldwide.

“The U.S. Marshals Service is proud to have once again played a role in Operation INFRA-RED,” said U.S. Marshals Service Director John F. Clark. “This worldwide operation brings together the full force of law enforcement agencies throughout the world with the single purpose of hunting down criminals who think they can hide from justice. I commend Secretary General Noble of Interpol and President Murphy of Crime Stoppers International for taking the lead on this highly successful operation.”

International fugitives targeted by the U.S. Marshals Service and arrested during Operation INFRA-RED 2010 include:

Shawn Sullivan had been wanted in Minnesota since 1994 for allegedly molesting two 11 year-old girls and raping an unconscious 14 year-old girl. U.S. Marshals Service investigators coordinated with authorities in Ireland, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom to locate and arrest suspected Sullivan. He faces 25 years imprisonment on each count. Sullivan was also convicted in Ireland of raping two 12 year-old girls as well. During the operation, Ireland investigators determined Sullivan obtained an Irish passport in 2009 under a different name. At that time, Sullivan provided a residential address located in London. Investigators from the Met Police in London then initiated a fugitive investigation. On June 28, Sullivan was arrested by the Met Police in London and is currently in custody awaiting extradition to the United States.

Elziane Neres Lima was wanted in Brazil for murder. The U.S. Marshals New York /New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested her in New Jersey May 28. Lima is presently in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement where she is being detained without bond on administrative charges and while pending extradition/return to Brazil. The preliminary investigation indicates Lima may presently be, or may have been at one time, married to a U.S. citizen. However, her true U.S. immigration status has yet to be determined. As there is no assurance she will be held indefinitely or be subject to imminent immigration deportation, the United States has requested Brazil provide an extradition/provisional arrest request through normal diplomatic channels.

Wayne Leslie Davidson and his co-conspirators allegedly operated an estimated $10 million investment scheme from 1998 - 2007 where people would buy international bonds from Davidson and his associates. The U.S. Marshals Service investigators coordinated with authorities in the United Arab Emirates through Interpol resulting in Davidson’s arrest in the United Arab Emirates July 12. Davidson left a trail of victims in New Zealand, Australia, the United States, Canada and England. Davidson was still running from justice while his co-conspirators have been serving sentences of 20 years or more. Davidson is being held in custody pending his return to the United States.

Interpol Washington served as a clearinghouse for facilitating investigative information to the U.S. law enforcement agencies and the 28 other countries who participated in Operation INFRA-RED.

“I am very pleased at the overall success of Operation INFRA-RED and the high level of cooperation and collaboration between the Interpol Secretariat General, U.S. law enforcement agencies and the other participant countries. This operation is another fine example of what can be achieved to combat transnational crime when countries come together and share resources,” said Interpol Washington Director Timothy A. Williams.

An Interpol Red Notice seeks the location and arrest of an individual for whom an arrest warrant has been issued with the aim of extraditing that fugitive to the country in which the crime was committed. Crime Stoppers International is the umbrella organization for the 1,200 official Crime Stoppers programs worldwide.