Nearly 1,100 fugitives were arrested in 19 cities as the result of a six-week manhunt targeting violent sex offenders, the U.S. Marshals Service announced.
"We concentrated our efforts on a very specific type of fugitive," said Marshals Director Henry Hudson in announcing the arrests. "The targeted fugitives were those who used violence in committing sex crimes, who were armed during a sex crime or who committed violent sex crimes against chil-dren."Hudson said 1,078 people were involved: 116 were charged with rape; 538 faced charges of aggravated sexual assault; 120 fugitives were involved with violent sexual crimes against children; and 304 people were arrested on charges ranging from kidnapping and narcotics to arson and homicide.
Task forces assembled in such cities as Boston, Houston, Phoenix, San Francisco, Washington and Tal-la-hassee, Fla.
The U.S. Marshals Service said 82 people were arrested in Boston and Springfield during the sweep.