U.S. Marshals Task Force Arrests Arizona Homicide Suspect

Des Moines, IA – Members of the U.S. Marshals Service Southern Iowa Fugitive Task Force - including the USMS, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, 5th Judicial District Fugitive Unit, and Homeland Security Investigations - arrested a homicide suspect in the 4900 block of NE 14th Street late Thursday night. The Mid-Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force also assisted with the arrest.

Turrail Demone Lightfoot, 45, had been sought by Arizona authorities since August 25, 2022. According to the Phoenix Police Department, that is when they believe Lightfoot shot and killed Latoya Davis, 37, near 25th Street and Adams in Phoenix. Lightfoot is also accused of shooting another victim during the same incident who suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

“The Arizona WANTED Task Force is grateful for the quick action and successful apprehension of Lightfoot by the Marshals Southern Iowa Fugitive Task Force,” said Acting U.S. Marshal, Van Bayless. “Lightfoot is a dangerous fugitive who has shown complete disregard for the community here in Phoenix and soon will return to answer for his violent actions.”

Lightfoot will be held at the Polk County Jail awaiting extradition back to Arizona.

“The Polk County Sheriff’s Office remains dedicated to its partnerships with local and federal agencies,” said Polk County Sheriff Kevin Schneider. “This partnership has shown its success with two major arrests in the past week. This is the dedication all law enforcement agencies have to public safety.”

Lightfoot is the third suspect wanted on violent criminal charges who has been arrested by the SIFTF this month. On July 20, members of the SIFTF arrested Wylee Orr, 27, in the 3600 block of Holcomb Avenue in Des Moines. Orr is facing homicide charges in Cleveland, Ohio, stemming from a shooting that occurred there in 2021. On July 14, acting upon information provided by the SIFTF, members of the USMS Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested Leroy Buttrom, 44, in the 2500 block of Promenade Way in Portage, Indiana. Buttrom is accused of shooting another man in the parking lot of a Des Moines hotel in October 2022.

“Once again, the apprehension of this wanted subject from Arizona shows the importance of agencies working together,” said Ted Kamatchus, U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Iowa. “Whether it is within Southern Iowa or from across the Nation, we are proud of the men and women who work as one unit in locating these violent individuals.”

The U.S. Marshals Southern Iowa Fugitive Task Force is composed of federal, state, and local law enforcement officers from across the Southern District of Iowa. SIFTF’s mission is to locate and apprehend fugitives charged with crimes of violence and wanted on outstanding felony arrest warrants. Membership on the SIFTF includes the U.S. Marshals Service, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, 5th Judicial District Probation and Parole, Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Ames Police Department, 4th Judicial District Probation and Parole, Council Bluffs Police Department, Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Scott County Sheriff’s office, Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office and the Burlington Police Department.