The US Marshals Service (USMS) conducted its first-ever nationwide missing child operation. Of the 225 children found during that 10-week effort, 14 of them were from Eastern Virginia.
The effort was called Operation We Will Find You.
Among the highlight cases from eastern Virginia was one involving an unnamed 15-year-old girl who disappeared from Loudoun County in February.
On March 2, one day after the operation launched, she was a found in the bedroom of a 30-year-old man. He was arrested on an outstanding probation warrant from a local county, the USMS reported.
In another case, on April 13, two missing juveniles were found at a residence in Woodbridge. An individual who was hiding inside the home was arrested on an outstanding warrant. Four 9 mm guns were found during the search along with a polymer lower, about 25 Percocets, a pound of marijuana and cash, USMS reported.
That incident involved Deputy U.S. Marshals, Task Force Officers from participating agencies, as well as U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations, Manassas Air Branch assistance.
Other agencies that participated in Operation We Will Find You in eastern Virginia include:
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
- Prince William County Police Department Manassas
- Fairfax County Police Department
- Alexandria Police Department
- Loudoun County Sheriff's Office Leesburg
- Fauquier County Sheriff's Office Warrenton
- Stafford County Sheriff’s Office Stafford
This operation was focused on geographical areas with high clusters of critically missing children.
In addition to eastern Virginia, the operation was conducted in Washington D.C.; Maryland; Massachusetts; South Carolina; New Orleans; San Antonio; Detroit; Yakima, Washington; Orlando, Florida; Los Angeles; northern Ohio; Guam; Puerto Rico; and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Of all of the missing children found 42 children were found outside the city where they went missing, and 10 children were found outside of the United States in Mexico.
The USMS also reported that a Top 15 Most Wanted couple who fled to Mexico from Washington state with their five children was arrested.
---
Like this story? Help us keep the community informed by clicking to directly support the Watchful Eye, an independent, local news channel.
Any and all is appreciated!
Follow the Watchful Eye on Twitter and Facebook to keep up with what's happening in Virginia!
Did You See: California family to sue VA for ex-state trooper who catfished teen and killed relatives?
Comments / 47