The U.S. Marshals Service has conducted an enforcement initiative focusing on the location and arrest of non-compliant sex offenders with active Failure to Register warrants from Passaic County.
This enforcement initiative, dubbed Operation "Cold Turkey," resulted in the arrest of 16 convicted sex offenders throughout the state and two others being sought for new sex offenses.
In addition, five offenders have been located out-of-state and facing possible federal charges.
"In working with the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office, we were able to locate and apprehend a number of dangerous sex offenders throughout the state of New Jersey," U.S. Marshal Juan Mattos Jr. said.
"The communities they lived in while unregistered can feel more secure knowing that federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies are continuing to work to get these offenders back in compliance."
During Operation "Cold Turkey," the District of New Jersey and the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force used its multi-jurisdictional investigative authority to partner with the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office, Passaic County Sheriff's Office, New Jersey State Police, and New Jersey Department of Corrections to locate non-compliant sex offenders from Passaic County.
In addition, Operation Cold Turkey has generated multiple leads for sex offenders who have traveled out of state, knowingly failed to register, and are now in possible violation of the Adam Walsh Act.
"Convicted sex offenders have an obligation to register and are most dangerous when they believe no one is watching. Operation Cold Turkey has served to help get these offenders back in compliance with state registration requirements and thus making our neighborhoods safe again," Mattos said.
"Many thanks to the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office, Passaic County Sheriff's Office, New Jersey Department of Corrections, New Jersey State Police, and the entirety of our New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force law enforcement partners throughout the state of New Jersey for their cooperation, assistance, and continued support throughout this operation."
The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 provides that "In order to protect the public from sex offenders and offenders against children…" the "Attorney General shall use the resources of Federal law enforcement, including the United States Marshals Service, to assist jurisdictions in locating and apprehending sex offenders who violate sex offender registration requirements.
Operation "Cold Turkey" has continued this tradition by serving this mission.
For more information about the U.S. Marshal Service and our sex offender operations, please visit www.usmarshals.gov.