CLEVELAND — The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) and the United States Marshals Office here in the Northern District of Ohio just received one of the highest honors given by The United States Marshal Service.
The award recognizes groups that perform in an exemplary manner in support of the agency’s overall missions.
NOVFTF received the Distinguished Group Award for their work during “Operation We R CLE.” The operation took place from April 23 through June 29, 2018.
There were roughly 379 felony arrests, 66 firearms were recovered, narcotics and more than $300,000 were seized.
"The operation was initiated after Ward 8 Councilman Michael Polensek became fed up with the crime and violence within and surrounding his community,” United States Marshal Pete Elliott said.
During the nine-week operation, the NOVFTF worked with the Cleveland Police Department, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Adult Parole Authority, FBI, DEA, ATF, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office.
“This operation resulted in a dramatic decrease in homicides during its duration,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said.
