U.S. Marshals, Clayton County Fugitive Apprehension Operation Yields 78 Arrests, 46 Illegal Firearms, 57 Pounds of Illegal Narcotics

Atlanta, GA – A three-week fugitive apprehension operation led by the United States Marshals Service (USMS) and Clayton County law enforcement agencies has resulted in 78 criminal arrests, the recovery of 46 illegal firearms, 57 pounds of illegal narcotics, and the seizure of $18,000 in U.S. currency.

From March 16 through April 3, the USMS Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force (SERFTF), Atlanta Division, in coordination with the USMS Northern District of Georgia (N/GA), USMS Special Operations Group, and USMS Technical Operations Group, partnered with the Clayton County Police Department and the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office, targeting individuals wanted for violent and serious felony offenses, including murder, aggravated assault, armed robbery, child molestation, rape, weapons-related offenses, and violations of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act.

In advance of the operation, SERFTF conducted detailed investigations to verify, prioritize, and develop actionable intelligence on each fugitive target selected for the operation. As a result of these efforts, 16 violent fugitives wanted for serious offenses were apprehended prior to the official start of the operation and an additional 28 violent offenders were arrested during the operation.

“This operation shows what is possible when law enforcement works together,” said USMS Director Gadyaces S. Serralta. “Our federal, state, and local partners delivered. They removed violent offenders and made Clayton County and Atlanta safer. This type of partnership is how we protect communities, restore peace, and uphold the rule of law.” 

“This operation is another example of the hard and dangerous work being performed every day by the brave men and women of the United States Marshals Service,” said Stephen Serrao, Acting U.S. Marshal for the District of North Georgia. “We are using all the resources available to the Marshals Service to remove wanted felons from our communities.

We do this through seamless cooperation with our state, county, and local law enforcement partners who participate on our Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force.”

Other local agencies that participated in the operation include DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, City of South Fulton Police Department, Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, Fulton County Marshals Department, Atlanta Police Department, Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office, Henry County Police Department and Sheriff’s Office, and the Georgia Department of Corrections.

SERFTF will coordinate with the Clayton County Police Department to analyze crime statistics over the next 90 days to assess the operation’s impact on violent crime reduction, as well as assist in locating and apprehending outstanding high-priority fugitives. 

All intelligence developed during the execution phase will support the initiation of new narcotics and gang investigations by the Clayton County Police Department.

Photos of the operation can be found here: https://www.flickr.com/gp/usmarshals/22Dt46dC29

The United States Marshals Service (USMS) has a long history of providing assistance and expertise to other law enforcement agencies in support of fugitive investigations. The success of USMS Task Force initiatives, combined with the outstanding relationships forged with other law enforcement agencies, has led to the formation of permanent fugitive Task Forces, as well as ad-hoc Task Forces in response to unique cases that pose immediate threat to the public. In 2025, USMS-led fugitive Task Forces arrested over 73,000 federal, state, and local fugitives and cleared nearly 88,000 warrants.

Anyone with information about wanted fugitives is encouraged to submit it via the USMS Tips app.