DAYTON, Ohio -- Following a five-year tradition of success in its national efforts, the U.S. marshals Service locally conducted another successful Operation FALCON – Federal and Local Cops Organized Nationally.

Led by the U.S. marshals, Operation FALCON 2009 netted 169 arrests within the Miami Valley Region in the Southern District of Ohio throughout the month of June.

Operation FALCON Dayton combined the collective efforts of 23 law enforcement agencies in one of the area’s largest-ever fugitive initiatives, focusing on capturing individuals wanted on felony charges including sexual predators and fugitives wanted for crimes of violence.

Over the course of the operation, Deputy U.S. marshals, teamed with federal, state and local law enforcement partners, arrested 169 individuals in the Miami Valley Region and cleared 308 active warrants.

Some of the significant arrests included Micah Bray, 31, who was arrested June 19 in Riverside. Bray was wanted in connection with the murder of one person and wounding another in Springfield in early June. Bray was located at a hotel in Riverside, but fled on foot. Officers were able to stop Bray using a Taser during the foot pursuit and secured his apprehension.

Ramone Jackson, 19, was arrested in Dayton June 11. Back in March, Inkster Police Department in Michigan requested the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service in locating Jackson based on two outstanding felony warrants for drugs and carrying a concealed weapon. Working off a collateral lead, agents were able to locate and arrest Jackson at a residence in Dayton.

Louis Spencer, 41, was arrested June 10 by agents in connection with a warrant issued out of the Vigo County Indiana Sheriff’s office for the alleged rape of a 14-year-old child, as well as sexual misconduct and burglary. The Dayton Police Department requested assistance in locating and apprehending Spencer who was believed to be staying in the Dayton area. Information obtained by officers led them to an address where a new girlfriend of Spencer was believed to be residing. Officers located Spencer hiding in an upstairs bedroom closet at the residence. Spencer was taken into custody and is currently awaiting an extradition hearing in Montgomery County.

“The goal of Operation FALCON is simple - to make communities safer,” said John F. Clark, Director of the U.S. Marshals Service. “Each time we wrap up a FALCON operation in any location, there are less dangerous individuals – and fewer threats to the community – than before we arrived there. That is very gratifying.”

Operation FALCON – Dayton consisted of approximately 50 federal, state and local law enforcement officers from 23 participating agencies, making up multiple arrest teams working throughout the region.

Each participating local officer was sworn in as a Special Deputy U.S. Marshal immediately prior to the start of this operation. This special authority empowers them to cross traditional lines of jurisdiction to track down and arrest targeted fugitives throughout the operation.