Local Fugitives Captured in 20 States by U.S. Marshals in 2016

30 Homicide Suspects Among Those Arrested

Norfolk, VA - U.S. Marshals captured more than 250 fugitives wanted for violent offenses ranging from murder to sex offenses throughout 2016. Overall, more than 500 outstanding state and federal arrest warrants were cleared this year by the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force.

Throughout 2016, U.S. Marshals pursued leads around the country and tracked down fugitives who tried to run, making arrests in 20 different states. Some of the states Hampton Roads fugitives were captured in this year were California, Washington, Minnesota, North Dakota and New Mexico, along with several states up and down the east coast.

The first half of 2016 showcased the ability of the U.S. Marshals to locate fugitives who try to go on the run, as multiple homicide suspects were tracked down in Atlanta. In March, U.S. Marshals captured Portsmouth homicide suspects Roderick Britt, Andre Keel, and Jalon Trotter. In April, Suffolk homicide suspect Karlton Boone Jr. was also captured in Atlanta.

The second half of 2016 was highlighted by several arrests that took place locally. In August, U.S. Marshals apprehended the hoverboard-riding Facebook live triple-shooting suspect Tony Roundtree in Suffolk. U.S. Marshals also captured four separate homicide suspects during a one-week span in late August: Malcolm Robinson and Grenah Garnett both arrested in Norfolk in connection with murders in the same city; Winston Black Jr.—arrested in Chesapeake in relation to an Henrico murder; and Antowaun Mathis – arrested in Hampton on Illinois murder charges.

“While we are wrapping up another successful year of working with our law enforcement partners to track down and arrest the most violent offenders, our work is not done yet,” said U.S. Marshal Bobby Mathieson.

U.S. Marshals are still pursuing fugitives on the run, one of which is Ricardo Spencer, wanted on murder charges in connection to a July double-shooting that occurred in the 1700 block of Greenleaf Drive in Norfolk. Anyone with information on Spencer can contact the Norfolk Crime Line.

The U.S. Marshals-led Fugitive Task Force consists of law enforcement officers from the U.S. Marshals, Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office, Newport News Police Department, Portsmouth Police Department and Norfolk Police Department. The main objective of the task force is to seek out and arrest violent offenders with outstanding federal and state warrants.

The U.S. Marshals Service, America’s first federal law enforcement agency, arrested more than 33,300 federal fugitives, 66,300 state and local fugitives and 11,700 sex offenders in 2015. Our investigative network and capabilities allow for the unique ability to track and apprehend any fugitive who attempts to evade police capture, anywhere in the country.

Federal Fugitive Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison on Firearm Charges

ROCKFORD — A Belvidere man was sentenced on firearms charges today by U.S. District Judge Philip G. Reinhard. MICHAEL TAPIA, 26, of Belvidere, Ill., was sentenced to a total of 20 years in federal prison and to 3 years of supervised release following imprisonment. Tapia did not appear at the sentencing and was sentenced in absentia after Judge Reinhard found that Tapia was knowingly and voluntarily absent.

On Aug. 25, 2016, following a four-day jury trial, Tapia was found guilty of one count of conspiring to receive, possess, conceal, store, sell, and dispose of stolen firearms and ammunition; one count of receiving, possessing, concealing, and storing stolen firearms and ammunition; and one count of illegally possessing firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon. Three other area men who were also charged in the case previously pleaded guilty to firearm charges: TEOVANNI CUNNINGHAM, 32, of Rockford, Ill., MICHAEL SCHAFFER, 34, and DARRELL REED, 28, of Byron, Ill.

According to the indictment and evidence at trial, on Dec. 31, 2012, Tapia and Cunningham broke into a residence in northern Illinois and stole over 21 firearms and ammunition from the residence. Tapia and Cunningham later transferred some of the concealed stolen firearms to their co-defendants and stored some of the firearms at other locations.

Cunningham pleaded guilty on May 31, 2016, to conspiring to receive, possess, conceal, store, sell, and dispose of stolen firearms and ammunition; receiving, possessing, concealing, and storing stolen firearms and ammunition; and illegally possessing firearms and ammunition as a felon. Cunningham was sentenced on Sept. 20, 2016, to a total of 188 months in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $12,723.99.

Reed pleaded guilty on June 15, 2016, to receiving, possessing, concealing, storing, selling, and disposing of stolen firearms, and was sentenced on Oct. 17, 2016, to one year and one day in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $750.00. Schaffer pleaded guilty on June 3, 2016, to conspiring to receive, possess, conceal, store, sell, and dispose of stolen firearms and ammunition. Schaffer has not yet been sentenced.

The sentencing was announced by Zachary T. Fardon, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and George Lauder, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department, Rockton Police Department and Rockford Police Department assisted in the investigation.

The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Talia Bucci and Michael D. Love.

Hancock County man sentenced for unlawful possession of a stolen firearm

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Brandon S. Moore, 24, of New Cumberland, West Virginia, was sentenced to 63 months in prison for unlawfully possessing a stolen firearm, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

In June 2015, Moore stole a .40 caliber pistol from a residence in Brooke County, West Virginia. He pled guilty in June 2016 to one count of “Possession of a Stolen Firearm.”

“This case reflects the connections between firearms traffickers and drug traffickers, which threaten public safety and endanger law enforcement officers,” said Stuart L. Lowrey, Special Agent in Charge of the Louisville Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. “We will continue to work aggressively with the West Virginia State Police and local police agencies to identify illicit traffickers, disarm violent offenders and interdict stolen and unlawfully possessed firearms.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Randolph J. Bernard prosecuted the cases on behalf of the government. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the West Virginia State Police, the Brooke County Sheriff’s Office, and the Weirton Police Department investigated.

U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.