OHIO — A recent initiative by the U.S. Marshals Service, called Operation Safe Haven, led to the arrest of 53 fugitives wanted for violent domestic and family violence crimes across Southern Ohio.

Conducted by the Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST), the operation targeted individuals with felony arrest warrants from October 1 to October 31.

During the month-long operation, SOFAST prioritized fugitives with high-risk factors for violence or those who had used firearms in their crimes.

Charges for those arrested include homicide, forcible sexual assault, aggravated assault, domestic violence, and child abuse.

Among the notable arrests were:

Justin Woolum: Wanted for Rape of a Minor by the Kenova Police Department in West Virginia, Woolum was apprehended by Columbus SOFAST on October 17 in Lancaster, Ohio.

James Wilson: Dayton SOFAST arrested Wilson on October 30. Wanted by Dayton Police for felony domestic violence and strangulation, he also faced a supervised release violation from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

Aaron Rice: Arrested on October 1 by Columbus SOFAST and Franklin County SWAT, Rice was indicted for felonious assault, weapons offenses, abduction, and kidnapping. Authorities allege he kidnapped a woman and a child and transported them from Ohio to Tennessee before they escaped.

Timothy Cromwell: Apprehended by Cincinnati SOFAST on October 18, Cromwell was wanted by Colerain Township Police for abduction and kidnapping at gunpoint.

Jurabek Sherov: Arrested by Cincinnati SOFAST on October 25, Sherov faced charges from the Warren County Sheriff’s Office for kidnapping, rape, and strangulation, accused of holding the victim hostage for several days at gunpoint.

“Every day our Deputy U.S. Marshals and Task Force officers are out locating and apprehending our most violent offenders,” said Michael D. Black, U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Ohio.

“As part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the U.S. Marshals and our law enforcement partners focused on locating those suspects accused of violent crimes relating to domestic violence. Removing these dangerous fugitives from our community can hopefully bring some peace to the victims and serve as a deterrent to others to not commit these sorts of crimes.”

The SOFAST units in Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati each consist of a collaboration of local, state, and federal agencies dedicated to apprehending dangerous fugitives.

Anyone with information on a fugitive may submit an anonymous tip through the U.S. Marshals Service website.