21 wanted fugitives arrested by U.S. Marshals in Arkansas

ARKANSAS — A three-day operation led by the U.S. Marshals Service resulted in the arrest of 21 wanted fugitives in Fort Smith and the surrounding River Valley area.

The operation, called April Fool, took place from April 1–3 and targeted repeat violent offenders with outstanding state felony warrants.

The multi-agency effort was spearheaded by the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Western Arkansas Fugitive Task Force, with assistance from the FBI and multiple state and local law enforcement agencies.

Participating agencies included the Arkansas State Police, Arkansas Community Correction, Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office, and police departments from Fort Smith, Van Buren, Alma, Bentonville, Rogers, and Mountain Home, as well as sheriff’s offices from Benton and Baxter counties.

Those arrested face a range of serious state charges, including aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, sexual assault, battery, illegal firearm possession, drug-related offenses, kidnapping, and parole violations.

“Our partnerships with law enforcement in the Western District of Arkansas directly contributed to the successful apprehension of these violent offenders,” said U.S. Marshal Gary Grimes.

The operation aligns with broader U.S. Marshals Service and Department of Justice initiatives to combat violent crime through collaboration with federal, state, and local agencies.

In fiscal year 2024 alone, the USMS cleared 33,960 federal fugitive cases and 57,210 state fugitive cases nationwide.