For Immediate Release

Cleveland, OH – Yesterday evening at approximately 6:15 p.m., members of the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF), along with the Cleveland Police S.W.A.T., arrested fugitive Julius Webster, age 25, at a residence located on the 3500 block of E. 135th Street in Cleveland. Webster was wanted since October 2011 by the Ohio Adult Parole Authority for escape. Webster has a violent criminal history and is one of the leaders of the Heartless Felons gang. Webster was released from state prison on parole in August 2011 and failed to report upon his release.

The Ohio Adult Parole Authority referred the investigation to the NOVFTF in November 2011. The NOVFTF worked diligently on the search for Webster. The NOVFTF were not able to pin Webster down but continued to develop information that he was in the Cleveland area and was known to carry a firearm. In December, the NOVFTF added Webster to their most wanted “Dangerous Dozen”.

Yesterday, members of the NOVFTF were able to track Webster to the residence on E. 135th Street in Cleveland. Task Force members surrounded the residence and attempted to call out Webster. Webster refused to answer and remained in the residence. The NOVFTF requested assistance from the Cleveland Police S.W.A.T., who immediately responded. After approximately 2 hours of no contact, Webster exited the residence and surrendered. Webster was transported to the Cuyahoga County Jail.

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “This was a dangerous fugitive with a history of violent crimes. We are thankful that this situation ended peacefully and that is a credit to our task force personnel and the Cleveland Police S.W.A.T.”

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 or text keyword WANTED and the tip to 847411(tip411). Tipsters may remain anonymous and a cash reward may be available. The Task Force’s “Dangerous Dozen” fugitives can be viewed at http://www.usmarshals.gov/district/oh-n/fugitives/pdf/dangerous_dozen.pdf, which is updated monthly.

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

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

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