For Immediate Release

Toledo, OH – Peter J. Elliott, U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Ohio, along with Wood County Prosecutor Paul Dobson and Wood County Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn are pleased to announce the arrest of fugitive Fatjon Kazazi. Kazazi, a native of Albania, was arrested by the Toronto Police Fugitive Squad on February 25, 2011 as he was leaving a residence in Toronto. Kazazi had been wanted by Wood County authorities since 2003 for failing to appear to serve an 8 year sentence for possession of marijuana. Kazazi had originally been arrested by Ohio State Highway Patrol after a traffic stop in 2002, but was on bond pending an appeal in his case.

In early 2009 investigators with the Toronto Fugitive Squad and the U.S. Marshals Service developed information that Kazazi was living in Toronto under an assumed identity. Investigators were able to determine Kazazi’s alias and where he was residing in Toronto. While investigators in Toronto were keeping tabs on Kazazi, the Wood County Prosecutor’s Office and the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of International Affairs began the process of requesting that the Canadian government issue an Extradition Warrant. The extradition order was signed last week and Kazazi was quickly arrested. He initially denied his true identity, however once confronted with photographs, fingerprints and other evidence he admitted his true name.

Kazazi will remain in custody in Toronto pending court proceedings to have him returned to Wood County. Once the final order of removal is issued, the U.S. Marshals Service will transport Kazazi back to Ohio so he can begin serving his sentence.

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott praised the determination of the investigators and prosecutors in this case, stating, “This was truly a unique case that required considerable cooperation between county, federal, and international law enforcement partners in order to reach a successful conclusion.”

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 - Toledo Division is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies: Allen County Sheriff’s Office, , Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms, Delphos Police Department, Fort Shawnee Police Department, Fremont Police Department, Genoa Village Police Department, Holland Police Department, Lima Police Department, Lucas County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, Oregon Police Department, Ottawa Hills Police Department, Pemberville Police Department, Toledo Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service and Washington Township Police Department.

Additional information about the U.S. Marshals can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov.

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