Thousands arrested in nationwide sting

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — When it comes putting the bad guy behind bars, the U.S. Marshals Service Inspector John Beeman says his agency’s latest round-up made a significant dent.

“It’s staggering, the numbers that were taken off the street in a six week time period,” Beeman said.

It took police agencies from around the country about a month and a half to round up more than 7,000 of some of the most violent criminals. Known as “Operation Violence Reduction,” the effort took down the worst of the worst, including people wanted for murder, abduction, and sexual assault.

In the southern district of Indiana, 70 people were arrested, including seven for murder. Darryl Worthem, Dejuan Worthen and Darion Harris, involved in murdering a gun shop owner in September of last year and already in jail, were charged federally for their crimes.

What people don’t see when a massive operation like this one is executed is the strength in numbers. That strength comes from the U.S. Marshals service partnering with local and state agencies.

“Let’s face it, with cut backs and budgets and man power, a sheriff or police department, they have to dedicate their people to patrol or investigation and they are taking calls or one case after another,” said Beeman.

Beeman says the more his office can get boots on the ground, the safer the smaller communities are.

“We come in and assist them on a case like this and we got the time and effort to really put some hard work in, a couple days and knock some numbers off in terms of their warrants,” Beeman said.

The U.S. Marshal Service averages nearly1,000 arrests every year in the southern part of Indiana.

Also from this round up, ten missing children were found.