Cleveland, OH – Yesterday evening at approximately 5:15 p.m., members of the U.S. Marshals Florida/Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force (FCRFTF) arrested fugitive Javonte Hodges (age 22) at a residence in Fort Walton, Florida. Hodges was wanted by the Cleveland Police Department for a homicide that occurred on March 14, 2012 on West 98th Street. The victim, Christopher Johnson (age 29), was shot in the neck and died from the wound. Hodges was identified by the Cleveland Police as the suspect and he fled the area shortly after the murder.
The Cleveland Police Department referred the investigation to the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) to locate and apprehend fugitive Hodges. The NOVFTF worked diligently on the search for Hodges over the last month and determined that he fled to Florida. The NOVFTF contacted the FCRFTF and relayed all information on Hodges with a request to locate and apprehend him.

The FCRFTF worked diligently in Florida and were able to locate and safely apprehend Hodges last night at a relative’s residence on Troy Street in Fort Walton, Florida. Hodges was transported to the Okaloosa County Jail where he will await extradition back to Ohio to face his charges.

Cleveland Police Chief Michael McGrath stated, “This is another example of collaborative efforts by law enforcement to arrest criminals responsible for crimes in our communities no matter where they flee or attempt to hide.”

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.pd , 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, 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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