KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Federal and local law enforcement agencies, working alongside prosecutors, spent the past week targeting individuals wanted for serious criminal offenses throughout the Greater Kansas City and St. Joseph, Mo. metropolitan areas.
Today, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the results of Operation Sign Off, a coordinated, multi-agency initiative that resulted in the apprehension of wanted individuals, the clearance of outstanding federal warrants, and the initiation of federal prosecutions against individuals accused of serious crimes.
The operation brought together existing law enforcement resources to locate and arrest individuals wanted for violent offenses, advance criminal investigations, and strengthen cases for prosecution. During the operation, authorities cleared 75 warrants involving 21 defendants. Authorities also seized 1009 grams of fentanyl, 798 grams of methamphetamine, 23 firearms, 2.5 ounces of phencyclidine (PCP), and 62 miscellaneous pills.
“Operation Sign Off shows what can happen when federal and local teams truly lock in and move with a shared mission,” said R. Matthew Price, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri. “When we combine our priorities, our resources, and our determination, we’re able to take on violent crime with real force. This unified approach sends a clear message: we are doing everything in our power to protect our communities by bringing dangerous offenders to justice and getting them off our streets.”
“ATF focused on prohibited persons who use firearms to drive violence, and we applied crime gun intelligence and on-site NIBIN support throughout the initiative to strengthen these investigations,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Bernard “Butch” Hansen, of the Kansas City Field Division. “These efforts helped ensure that the most violent offenders are removed from our streets. We are grateful for the collaboration of the St. Joseph Police Department Street Crime Unit, the Buchanan County Drug Strike Force and Northwest Missouri Drug Task Force, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the United States Marshals Service. Their partnership was essential in identifying, investigating, and ultimately bringing these cases forward. Together, we are working to make the St. Joseph area safer for the families who call this community home.”
“It is extremely important that we serve and protect our communities at the highest level standing ever vigilant making those communities as safe as possible by removing violent and predatory offenders who victimize our citizens and the innocent,” said Bill Puett, Buchanan County Sheriff. “We are much better together, and by combining the talents and resources from local, state, and federal law enforcement partners ensures maximum results of service and protection to our citizens through removing dangerous criminals and predators from our communities.”
“It is always great to work with our partner agencies and being able to use the US Marshals’ resources to get dangerous offenders off the street,” said Jim C. Arnott, U.S. Marshal, Western District of Missouri.
U.S. Attorney Price thanks the partner agencies in this coordinated effort including:Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives United States Marshals Service Buchanan County Sheriff’s OfficeSt. Joseph, Missouri Police Department The name Operation Sign Off pays tribute to legendary CBS news anchor Walter Cronkite, who was born in St. Joseph and became known for closing his broadcasts with the words “And that’s the way it is.” The operation’s name reflects a commitment to bringing criminal activity to an end and holding those responsible accountable. Operation Take Back AmericaThis case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The charges contained in any charging document are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
Below is a breakdown of the operation:“Operation Sign Off”Warrants cleared75Defendants charged21Fentanyl seized during investigations1009 GramsMethamphetamine seized during investigations798 GramsFirearms seized during investigations23PCP seized during investigations2.5 OuncesMiscellaneous Pills seized during investigations62