One of La Plata County’s Most Wanted Captured During Joint Tactical Operation

Durango, CO – A multi-agency tactical operation conducted early this morning culminated with the arrest of one of La Plata County’s most wanted fugitives who had been on the run and evading arrest for over two years. 

Jesse Rowe, 47, of Hesperus, Colorado, was wanted on multiple felony warrants by both the La Plata County (CO) Sheriff’s Office and the San Juan County (NM) Sheriff’s Office. On January 13, 2024, Rowe allegedly threatened his girlfriend with a firearm and discharged two rounds in the process in rural La Plata County. The following day, an arrest warrant was issued for him for felony menacing domestic violence. A few months later, a separate arrest warrant was issued on April 4, 2024 for Rowe out of San Juan County, NM for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated burglary with a deadly weapon. On August 20, 2024, a misdemeanor warrant was issued for Rowe for obstructing and eluding after he fled from La Plata County Sheriff’s deputies who attempted to contact him. This occurred again on January 13 of this year, but Rowe was then charged with felony eluding. 

Due to the violent nature of the crimes Rowe was wanted for, his history of possessing and utilizing firearms during criminal acts, repeated acts of fleeing from law enforcement, and the large rural property where Rowe was believed to be residing, the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service’s Colorado Violent Offender Task Force (COVOTF) in locating and apprehending Rowe. 

In early February, both Deputy U.S. Marshals from the Durango office as well as deputized Task Force Officers (TFOs) from the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation to locate Rowe. Investigators developed information that Rowe was hiding out on an approximately 50-acre property near the intersection of Hwy 140 and County Road 100, or approximately 2 miles northeast of Redmesa. Due to the number of structures and vehicles on the property, additional assistance was requested from the U.S. Marshals Service’s Special Operations Group (SOG) in planning and conducting the arrest operation.

Early this morning, members of the U.S. Marshals SOG in conjunction with the Southwest Regional Colorado SWAT Team and deputies from the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant of the property to locate and arrest Rowe. Rowe was located on the property and attempted to hide inside one of the structures, but was located by SOG operators and a tactical K9 apprehension dog who successfully took him into custody.

Rowe was transported to the La Plata County Jail where he was booked on the outstanding arrest warrants from both La Plata and San Juan counties.

The success of this arrest represents a culmination of extensive cooperative investigative efforts between the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Marshals Colorado Violent Offender Task Force, U.S. Marshals Special Operations Group (SOG), and the Southwest Regional Colorado SWAT Team which includes members from LPCSO, the Durango Police Department and Durango Fire Department. 

The Colorado Violent Offender Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional fugitive task force that targets the most violent offenders to include those wanted for murder, assault, sex offenses, and other serious offenses throughout the state and country. The United States Marshals Service also works closely with state and local agencies nationwide to locate and apprehend fugitives who flee across state lines to avoid prosecution. Through its network of 58 district task forces and 8 regional fugitive task forces, the agency remains committed to ensuring that offenders are held accountable — no matter how long they attempt to evade justice.

Tips can be submitted to the U.S. Marshals Service directly and anonymously by downloading the USMS Tips app to your Apple or Android device. It can also be accessed online at https://www.usmarshals.gov/tips. You can also follow the latest news and updates about the U.S. Marshals Service on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter); @USMarshalsHQ or @USMSDenver.