FBI operation in Pittsburgh region leads to arrests of 19 wanted fugitives
A five-day operation conducted by FBI Pittsburgh as part of a nationwide FBI initiative targeting violent crimes led to the arrest of 19 wanted fugitives.
Local and federal law enforcement officials worked together to “identify targets, gather intelligence, conduct investigative analysis” and make arrests in the FBI’s Summer Heat initiative between October 6 and October 10.
Most of the 19 people detained were arrested in Western Pennsylvania, but two arrests were made elsewhere, one in North Carolina and the other in Kansas.
The FBI said that the detained people were wanted for drug trafficking, human trafficking, sexual assault of a child, rape of children, terroristic threats and possession of firearms.
The agency did not disclose the identities of any of the detained fugitives.
“Law enforcement at every level shares the same goal: protecting the communities we serve. This operation proves our commitment to that mission,” said Kevin Rojek, FBI Pittsburgh special agent in charge. “No matter if you’re in Western Pennsylvania, the United States, or anywhere else in the world, the FBI and our partners will find you and bring you to justice. We take overwhelming Violent Crime seriously and we won’t stop.”
A man arrested in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is wanted in Allegheny County on charges of stalking, harassing and physically assaulting his ex-girlfriend, the FBI said.
Another arrest in Kansas City was for a man who had an outstanding federal arrest warrant on charges that he sexually assaulted two girls in his care.
“We are fortunate to have great law enforcement partnerships in Western Pennsylvania, and when this collaboration involving our various agencies results in dangerous people being taken off the streets, it will be a good day for law enforcement and our residents,” said Allegheny County Sheriff Kevin Kraus.
That operation is why SWAT responded to a home on Veronica Drive in Penn Hills on Oct. 9 to make the arrest, law enforcement officials say.
Authorities also seized 3 guns, 28.8 grams of crack cocaine, 77.6 grams of heroin and fentanyl, 722.6 grams of marijuana and tens of thousands of dollars of illegal drug revenue during this operation.
The amount of heroin and fentanyl seized “could ruin the life of 1 in 10 Pittsburghers,” the FBI said.
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