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U.S. MARSHALS HOUND
BASKERVILLE INTO CAPTURE,
“15 MOST WANTED” MANHUNT ENDS IN MARYLAND
Newark, NJ -- Gang member Rakeem
Baskerville’s flight from justice ended abruptly at 8:00 this morning in an
Edgewood, Maryland apartment complex. Wanted on charges of murder and drug
distribution in Newark, New Jersey, Baskerville was surprised when a team
led by Deputy U.S. Marshals demanded entry into the apartment. Refused
entry, the team rammed open the door and confronted Baskerville. He was
quickly subdued and placed into custody. The arrest occurred in the 800
block of Fisherman Lane in Edgewood, northeast of Baltimore.
New Jersey authorities believe that
Baskerville, a member of the notorious “ET-Hak gang, was involved in the
murder of a prosecution witness last year. He was added to the U.S. Marshals
15 MOST WANTED list in August. Baskerville, 31, was captured by Deputy U.S.
Marshals from the Districts of New Jersey and Maryland, bolstered by
officers from the Baltimore Police Department, the Newark, NJ Police
Department, the Prosecutors Office of Essex County, NJ, and agents from the
Drug Enforcement Administration and the FBI.
The arrest occurred after a period of
surveillance at the suspected location, and a perimeter around the complex
was established. A female was located in the apartment and was questioned
and released. Baskerville admitted his identity and was transported to U.S.
District Court in Baltimore, where he will have an initial appearance before
a federal magistrate today.
On March 1, 2004, a prosecution witness to a
homicide was slain in a hail of bullets during a drive-by shooting in
Newark. Newark police believe Baskerville pulled the trigger in the slaying.
He faces charges for murder and firearms violations.
A federal grand jury in Newark also indicted Baskerville, and other gang
members, on charges brought by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Those
charges include a five-year drug conspiracy involving the distribution of
kilogram quantities of cocaine and heroin, laundering the illegal proceeds
through the purchase of luxury automobiles and jewelry, firearms violations,
and allegations that members of the organization threatened, intimidated and
arranged to murder persons whom they believed were cooperating with law
enforcement.
“U.S. Marshals have a long tradition of helping local police get fugitives
like Rakeem Baskerville off the street and in front of a judge,” said Acting
Director John Clark of the U.S. Marshals. “It’s our experience that when
such individuals are on the run, they can become an even greater menace to
society.” New Jersey Marshal James Plousis said Baskerville has a violent
criminal history, including five felony convictions for aggravated assault,
robberies, firearms and drugs. “I have not seen a fugitive who was
potentially more dangerous to the citizens of New Jersey than this gang
member,” he said.
Baskerville’s
wanted poster, and
original
wanted release, are on the U.S. Marshals website,
www.usmarshals.gov .
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