Marshals apprehend 26 violent offenders in eastern Washington

SPOKANE — On Aug. 25, the United States Marshals Service Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force in eastern Washington completed a two-week warrant sweep titled, “Operation Centennial Trail,” according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Within a span of two weeks, law enforcement partners focused on apprehending violent fugitives and repeat offenders who were a risk to public safety within eastern Washington, said the release. The task force was led by the U.S. Marshals but included numerous law enforcement agencies from eastern Washington.

“The tremendous cooperative efforts of all the law enforcement agencies that participated in this violent offender warrant operation have made our communities safer by bringing these wanted offenders into the court systems to account for their alleged offenses,” said United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Washington Craig Thayer.

According to the release, offenders were apprehended on warrants relating to assault, burglary, child molestation, dangerous drugs, illegal entry, failure to register, felon in possession, robbery, sex offenses, possession of child pornography, weapon possession and vehicular homicide. Twenty-six offenders were apprehended without incident and were booked into detention facilities in eastern Washington.

Operation Centennial Trail’s goal was to reduce violent crime specifically in eastern Washington, stated the release. The operation also aimed to reduce the growing number of violent offenses across the state of Washington for the foreseeable future. During the operation, officers focused on reducing case backlogs, apprehending violent fugitives, and reducing overall violent crime, according to the release.