U.S. Marshals-Led Multiagency Operation Results in 270 Felony Arrests Across the Coastal Bend

Corpus Christi, TX – The U.S. Marshals Service Gulf Coast Violent Offenders and Fugitives Task Force (GCVOFTF) today announced the successful conclusion of Operation Washout – Coastal Blitz, a 31-day enforcement initiative that resulted in the arrest of 270 felony offenders throughout the Coastal Bend.

Conducted from July 1 through July 31, Operation Washout – Coastal Blitz focused on identifying, locating, and apprehending violent fugitives while disrupting organized criminal activity across four counties in the Southern District of Texas. During the operation, law enforcement officers closed 472 warrants, arrested 270 felony offenders, seized 93 firearms, recovered $464,685 in U.S. currency, and confiscated approximately 8.2 kilograms of illegal narcotics.

"Operation Washout – Coastal Blitz was extremely successful in targeting and arresting violent offenders because of the outstanding collaboration among our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners," said Assistant Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Michael Williams, who oversees U.S. Marshals operations throughout the Coastal Bend and Laredo areas. "Each arrest made helps disrupt and dismantle criminal organizations while ensuring violent fugitives are brought to justice. The firearms, narcotics, and illicit proceeds seized during this operation will help make our communities safer by preventing future acts of violence."

Operation Washout – Coastal Blitz brought together 18 federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to enhance public safety by targeting violent offenders, removing illegal firearms and narcotics from area communities, and disrupting criminal enterprises operating throughout the Coastal Bend.

Participating agencies included the U.S. Marshals Service Gulf Coast Violent Offenders and Fugitives Task Force – Corpus Christi Division; U.S. Marshals Service Homeland Security Fugitive Investigative Strike Team – Houston Division; Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Corpus Christi Police Department; South Texas Specialized Crimes and Narcotics Task Force; Texas Board of Criminal Justice, Office of Inspector General; Kingsville Police Department; Kleberg County Attorney's Office; Kleberg County Sheriff's Office; Kleberg County Adult Probation Office; Beeville Police Department; Nueces County Sheriff's Office; Nueces County Adult Probation Office; Jim Wells County Sheriff's Office; Aransas County Sheriff's Office; Texas Department of Public Safety; U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations; and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

The U.S. Marshals Service and its law enforcement partners remain committed to identifying, locating, and apprehending violent fugitives while working collaboratively to enhance public safety throughout South Texas.