For Immediate Release

Cleveland, OH – Cuyahoga County Sheriff Bob Reid, Cleveland Police Chief Michael McGrath and U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott announce the arrest of violent fugitive Khalid K. Swanson. Swanson, age 34, was wanted by the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office on a warrant dated April 30, 2009, charging him with robbery, kidnapping, having weapons under disability, trafficking drugs, drug possession and possession of criminal tools.

These charges stemmed from an incident at Swanson’s prior residence where Swanson allegedly robbed an associate female and held her against her will until she was able to escape and contact police. When police arrived, Swanson had left the residence but also left behind illegal contraband in plain view. Police obtained a search warrant and found additional contraband which led to the charges listed on the warrant. Swanson failed to face the charges and became a fugitive on the warrant.

Today, at approximately 10:00 a.m., Swanson was apprehended at a residence on the 1900 block of W. 77th Street in Cleveland. Members of the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force, along with additional officers from the Cleveland Police Department, the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, approached and surrounded the residence upon determining that Swanson was inside. After several unsuccessful attempts to get Swanson to come to the door, the Task Force had to force entry into the residence and apprehend Swanson. Pursuant to the arrest, officers discovered a significant amount of drugs, cash and bullets in plain view in the residence. Officers obtained a search warrant for the residence and discovered that the house was utilized to cook cocaine into crack. Officers discovered and seized various amounts of crack cocaine and marijuana, a shotgun, and over $10,000 in cash. In addition, 2 vehicles and a large screen television were taken as seized items pursuant to the investigation. Swanson will most likely face additional charges pursuant to this search warrant.

Cuyahoga County Sheriff Bob Reid stated, “The collective work of the Task Force Officers of the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is credited with bringing this fugitive to justice and removing these dangerous elements from our streets. When we work together, we can accomplish great things and help make our communities a safer place to live.”

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of a known fugitive is encouraged to contact the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at: 1-866-4-WANTED. Callers may remain anonymous.

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force in Cuyahoga County is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies: U.S. Marshals Service, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Cleveland Police Department, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department, Euclid Police Department, Lakewood Police Department, Linndale Police Department, Rocky River Police Department, Westlake Police Department, Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General, Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Coast Guard.