Dozens of Idaho fugitives arrested through Operation FALCON

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Story Published: Jul 10, 2009 at 5:16 PM MST

Story Updated: Jul 10, 2009 at 8:38 PM MST

By Wes Horrocks

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POCATELLO - You may not have even noticed, but in the last month 44 fugitives were taken off the streets in Idaho.

Thomas Moss, U.S. Attorney said, "Our job is to protect the community."
And Operation FALCON, also known as Federal and Local Cops Organized Nationally, can be a big help.

It teams up local sheriff's offices with federal agencies to round up some of the worst criminals. Patrick McDonald, a U.S. Marshal listed off some of the FALCON arrests, "Sex offender, possession of methamphetamine, attempted strangulation.

That's just a few of the people sent to jail in East Idaho during the 10 days of Operation FALCON 2009.

Two of Bannock County's Most Wanted Criminals were also arrested. Lorin Nieslen, Bannock County Sheriff said, "Why not work together to get that done, rather than each one of us do it ourselves."

Dave Johnson, Bingham County Sheriff added, "The guy out on the street, the worst enemy he has is law enforcement cooperating with each other."

And with officers locking up some of the most violent criminals in the area, having extra back-up is a big benefit. Nielsen said, "We don't believe in a fair fight in law enforcement. We're going to win all the time."

And FALCON isn't the only program helping officers.

Two months ago the U.S. Marshals started the Greater Idaho Fugitive Taskforce (GIFT) in the Treasure Valley, and have arrested 90 people.

The goal now is to make make it a statewide program. Johnson said, "And that's what we want pressure, all the time. So they don't know who is knocking on their door."

Across the country more than 35,000 people were arrested and 47,000 warrants were cleared through Operation FALCON.

That includes 433 people wanted for murder, 900 gang members, and 2,300 sex offenders.

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