Members of the Southwest Fugitive Task Force arrested a man in Rio Rancho last month as part of the U.S. Marshals’ Operation North Star II, the department announced Tuesday.
Walter Abbot was arrested on Sandoval County warrants for first-degree attempted homicide and aggravated burglary with a deadly weapon. According to a press release from the Marshals, the Albuquerque Police Department was dispatched to his residence for a report of a domestic dispute. Before police arrived, he fatally stabbed another victim and fled on foot. When the task force located Abbott, he was arrested without incident.
Operation North Star II (ONS II) was a 30-day initiative focusing on the country’s most violent offenders in 10 cities across the nation. It resulted in the arrest of more than 80 fugitives, gang members, sex offenders and violent criminals in the Albuquerque metro area, including 61 state/local fugitives and 27 federal fugitives.
Additionally, 11 firearms were seized and one missing child was recovered as a part of the operation.
“This joint effort sends a strong message to those who continue to commit violent crime in Albuquerque,” said Sonya K. Chavez, U.S. Marshal for the District of New Mexico. “Our focus will continue to be on removing these offenders from the streets of our community in order to protect the citizens of our city.”
Nationwide
Throughout the month of January, the U.S. Marshals Service made 833 arrests, including 95 for homicide and 68 for sexual assault. Utilizing its broad arrest authority and network of task forces, investigators also seized 181 firearms, more than $229,000 in currency and more than 160 kilograms of illegal narcotics.
“The U.S. Marshals Service remains steadfast in its commitment to assisting law enforcement and community leaders at all levels to combat violent crime,” said U.S. Marshals Service Director Ronald Davis. “The success of Operation North Star II is based on its laser focus on the most significant drivers of violence. We are confident that apprehending these offenders will bring a level of justice to their victims and contribute to the overall violence reduction efforts in each city.”
