NORFOLK, Va. – The United States Marshals Service, in cooperation with local police departments and sheriff’s offices from across Hampton Roads, arrested 32 people during a three-day initiative known as Operation Washout.
According to a release by the Department of Justice, the initiative targeted fugitive gang members affiliated with gangs known to be active in the area, such as the Bloods, Crips, Aryan Nation and New Jersey Skinheads.
Law enforcement personnel combed through hundreds of local, state and federal warrants to search for the most wanted offenders in the Hampton Roads area, the Department of Justice said. More than 40 local law enforcement individuals participated in the sweep, with officers from Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Newport News and Southampton County assisting.
“This operation exemplifies the efficiency and effectiveness of working together as a team for the benefits of our citizens,” said U.S. Marshal Nick Proffitt. “I am proud of the Deputy Marshals, task force officers and our local law enforcement partners for the work they did this week, and for what they do each day.”
The U.S. Marshals said that eight firearms and an assault rifle were seized during the arrests.
Participating law enforcement agencies included ATF; DEA; NCIS; the Norfolk Police Department; the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office; Norfolk Probation and Parole; the United States Attorney’s Office; the Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office; the Portsmouth Police Department; the Portsmouth Sheriff’s Office; the Newport News Police Department; and the Southampton County Sheriff’s Office.
The Department of Justice released the names of several of the offenders arrested:
- Dexter Warren, on charges of kidnapping, strangulation, domestic and assault warrants
- Sebastian Morrison, six firearms seized from residence, facing weapon and narcotics charges
- Demetric Harris, warrants for strangulation, abduction and kidnapping
- Melissa McCormac, gave fake name, warrants for commercial sex trafficking out of Virginia Beach
- Travis Vaughan, firearm and narcotic charges
- Christopher Wiggins, arrested after hour-long standoff, contempt of court warrant, facing firearm charges
- Travis Kemp, robbery warrant
- Toledo Whitaker, outstanding warrants in Norfolk and Chesapeake
- Anthony Garcia, outstanding probation violation warrant in Norfolk
- Mitchell Williams, probation violation in Norfolk
