Fauquier County Top 10 Most Wanted Tracked and Captured by U.S. Marshals

Alexandria, VA – U.S. Marshal Robert Mathieson announces the arrest of LaFonzo French. French was wanted by the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) and Virginia State Probation and Parole Division for a total of seven felony arrest warrants.

This 40-year-old fugitive’s criminal history includes felonious assault and battery, numerous charges for possession with intent to sell controlled substances, numerous charges for carrying a concealed weapon, multiple malicious wounding charges, shooting at an occupied vehicle, use of a firearm in commission of malicious wounding, numerous failures to appear in court, and a probation/parole violation.

On July 1, 2013, Fauquier County issued five felony arrest warrants against French for dangerous drugs, regarding distribution of cocaine and amphetamines. A sixth warrant was issued for resisting arrest.

In July 2013, after tracking him for months, the Fauquier County Sheriff’s office and the VA State Police Blue Ridge Narcotics and Gang Task Force attempted to arrest French at his residence in Midland, VA. French’s hands were restrained. He was being escorted by law enforcement to a police vehicle when French broke out of the restraints and fled the area. A multi-agency manhunt was immediately initiated for a violent fugitive on the run. Later that month, the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) was requested.

On July 31, 2013, the VA State Probation and Parole Division issued a warrant for French for parole violation based on an original charge of possession of cocaine.

Deputy U.S. Marshals in VA and FCSO detectives, coupled with the VA State Police Blue Ridge Narcotics and Gang Task Force, investigated diligently to track French into Florida. Investigators with the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force in FL then began working earnestly to locate this fugitive. Law enforcement learned that French was previously in FL, but had recently fled the area.

In March, deputies in VA developed information that the fugitive was residing in an apartment complex located near 15th Street Ct. and 2nd Avenue North in Sauk Rapids, MN. The U.S. Marshals in VA quickly informed their counterparts in MN.

Yesterday afternoon, deputies apprehended French at that apartment complex. Upon knocking and announcing police presence, French went out to the rear balcony. He was about to jump until he realized the overwhelming police presence in the back. Investigators gained entrance into the apartment and the fugitive surrendered.

The Fauquier County Sheriff’s office and the VA State Police Blue Ridge Narcotics and Gang Task Force played a critical role, working hand-in-hand with the USMS, in capturing this violent fugitive.

The U.S. Marshals Service arrested more than 36,000 federal fugitives, 86,700 state and local fugitives, and 11,800 sex offenders in fiscal year 2013.