In coordination with federal, state, and local law enforcement, the FBI Springfield Field Office announced the results of Operation Viper, a high-intensity initiative aimed at apprehending fugitives.
The operation rendered a five-day surge resulting in the arrest of 29 individuals, the recovery of 7 illegally possessed firearms, and the seizure of over $8,264 in narcotics-related currency.
The focus of Operation Viper was on locating and apprehending violent offenders with active warrants. This coordinated strike spanned the eastern side of Central Illinois and zoned in on the “high-impact” fugitives in that region.
The primary objective was the removal of those who are ramping up violent crime rates. Notable results of this operation include not only the 29 arrests, but also the seizure of 4195.4 grams of marijuana, 781.1 grams of unidentified pills, 50 grams of cocaine, and 234.2 grams of methamphetamine. The operation also seized 5 illegally possessed handguns and 2 assault rifles.
According to Ryan Presley, the lead special agent at the FBI's Springfield Field Office, the success of Operation Viper highlights the seamless integration of federal, state, and local law enforcement. Additionally, according to Presley, no single agency can combat violent crime alone; however, by pooling various resources and assets, immediate threats to the public can be effectively eliminated.
Decatur Chief of Police Brad Allen said that he is proud of the work that their officers and partnering agencies did to take 29 separate offenders off the streets and into custody, while also removing large quantities of narcotics and weapons from the hands of dangerous criminals.
Operation Viper was led by the FBI Springfield Field Office with assistance from the United States Marshals Service, the Decatur Police Department, and Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office.
The United States Marshals Service Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force is a multi-agency task force with divisions in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. The central district of Illinois has task force locations in Springfield, Peoria, and Urbana.
For more details on the United States Marshals Service, visit www.usmarshals.gov
