Prince George
County, VA

90 arrested in Richmond, Tri-Cities during weeklong gang enforcement operation by the U.S. Marshals


Ninety people were arrested from about a dozen different gangs during a weeklong enforcement operation by the U.S. Marshals Service, according to a release.

Led by the Marshals, multiple federal, state and local law enforcement agencies worked around the clock from May 20 to May 24. The effort concentrated on known gang members in the Richmond and Tri-Cities areas, the release said. 

Of the 90 arrests, 22 were documented gang members and six were wanted for murder-related charges, the Marshals Service said. Others were suspected members or associates, or wanted by police and found in the company of those the Marshals targeted.

"The resounding success of this multi-agency operation is a testament to the level of cooperation between the individuals and the leadership from each of the participating agencies," said Nick Proffitt, U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Virginia. "The level of professionalism and dedication to the communities each of these officers, investigators and agents serve, displays their commitment to ensuring the safety of our citizens here in the Commonwealth. I am proud of our law enforcement partners and am humbled that the Marshals Service is a part of this team. These operations are truly the epitome of efficiency, and the results speak for themselves." 

Six firearms were seized, including an AK-47 type pistol and a sawed-off shotgun. Marshals also seized 54 grams of heroin as well as cocaine, marijuana and oxycontin pills. 

The Marshals Office said the arrested gang affiliations included Bloods, Crips, Gangster Disciples, Pagans, Hells Angels, Aryan Brotherhood, Stain Gang/Campaign Gang, Ward Boyz, Willow Boyz, Chippenham Money Makers, Juggalos and 5th Ward Gang.

The operation, called "Operation Washout," "should send a strong message to gang members and others responsible for preying on citizens in the region that their actions will face a unified law enforcement response," the Marshals said.

Participating agencies include: the U.S. Marshals Service; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Virginia State Police; the Virginia Department of Corrections; The Richmond Police Department; the Chesterfield County Police Department; the Chesterfield Sheriff’s Office; the Henrico County Police Department; the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office; the Petersburg Bureau of Police; the Hopewell Police Department; the Colonial Heights Police Department; the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia; and the Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.

arockett@timesdispatch.com

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Twitter: @AliRockettRTD