Operation Gateway Sweep Nets 24 Arrests, 39 Felony Warrants Cleared in 10 Days

Denver, CO – The U.S. Marshals Service Colorado Violent Offender Task Force (COVOTF) has completed a 10-day fugitive operation targeting violent offenders wanted by municipalities in Jefferson County. 

Operation Gateway Sweep began April 6 and concluded April 17. COVOTF teams in the Denver metro area began with a list of 30 fugitives, wanted on felony warrants for violent crimes from the Lakewood Police Department, Arvada Police Department, Wheat Ridge Police Department, and Golden Police Department. Warrants were selected by those agencies based on priority and offenders who have been the hardest to locate. The teams also apprehended multiple fugitives wanted by outside jurisdictions who were either located in Jefferson County, or had violent criminal history or recent ties/residency in Jefferson County.

During the operation, a total of 24 arrests were made by the COVOTF teams. Three additional fugitives were located already in custody in other jurisdictions and one subject on the initial list was arrested by Arvada P.D. patrol units. In total, 39 felony arrest warrants and 15 misdemeanor warrants were cleared as part of the fugitive operation. Additionally, 116 sex offender compliance checks were completed on registered sex offenders in the city of Arvada. 

Among the arrests made and warrants cleared, charges included (but are not limited to):

• Negligent Homicide (1)
• 1st Degree Assault with Serious Bodily Injury (SBI) and a Deadly Weapon (x 4)
• Robbery (x 5)
• 2nd Degree Assault (x 5)
• Sexual Assault/Sexual Exploitation of Children (x 5)
• Felony Arson (1), Kidnapping (1), Menacing (1) or Weapons Possession (2)
• Narcotics/Drug Distribution and/or Possession (3) 

Notable Arrests Include:

• Tisha Naranjo (46), wanted for Negligent Homicide out of Cascade County, Montana, tracked into Lakewood and arrested in Denver
• Lee Austin Jr. (53) and Lee Austin III (35), father and son both wanted for 1st Deg Assault w/ Serious Bodily Injury and a Deadly Weapon as well as Robbery by Wheat Ridge P.D., hiding and at large since Dec 2022
• Alexander Lopez (32), wanted by Arvada P.D. for Sexual Exploitation of a Child since Dec 2021 and arrested in Lakewood
• Lance Pillard (9), wanted out of Minnesota for Sexual Conduct w/ a Minor, located and arrested in Lakewood
• Abraham Aguirre (32), wanted by Austin (TX) P.D. for Indecency with a Child by Physical Contact, located and arrested in Westminster

“This operation is a prime example of how effective and efficient our fugitive task force can be when federal, state, and local agencies work together toward a common goal of getting violent fugitives off the street and behind bars” said U.S. Marshal Kirk Taylor for the District of Colorado. “At a time when almost every law enforcement agency is hurting for personnel and resources, operations like this show how the COVOTF can be a force-multiplier to local agencies in helping arrest the worst of the worst.”

Agencies involved in the operation included:

• U.S. Marshals Colorado Violent Offender Task Force (COVOTF)
• Lakewood Police Department
• Arvada Police Department
• Wheat Ridge Police Department
• Golden Police Department
• Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
• Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
• Englewood Police Department
• Boulder County Sheriff’s Office

The Colorado Violent Offender Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional fugitive task force that targets the most violent offenders to include those wanted for murder, assault, sex offenses, and other serious offenses throughout the state and country. The United States Marshals Service also works closely with state and local agencies nationwide to locate and apprehend fugitives who flee to avoid prosecution. Through its network of 58 district task forces and 8 regional fugitive task forces spanning the country, the agency remains committed to ensuring that offenders are held accountable — no matter how long they attempt to evade justice.

Tips can be submitted to the U.S. Marshals Service directly and anonymously by downloading the USMS Tips app to your Apple or Android device. It can also be accessed online at https://www.usmarshals.gov/tips. You can also follow the latest news and updates about the U.S. Marshals Service on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter); @USMarshalsHQ or @USMSDenver.