FL Fugitves Caught in Orange Crush

By Debbie Williams Reporter

Gang members, violent criminals and sex offenders are the target of a fugitive sweep in Florida. FL Fugitves Caught in Orange Crush

Published: Thu, September 18, 2008 - 5:35 pm

Debbie Williams

Gang members, violent criminals and sex offenders are the target of a fugitive sweep in Florida called, "Orange Crush", geared at getting the "worst of the worst" off our streets.
In less than three months, law enforcement agencies from Pensacola to Gainsville arrested almost five hundred known criminals living in our neighborhoods.
"The individuals we were targeting, were in three groups. Gangs, violent felons and sex offenders," says Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Tom Miller.
The Operation was called, "Orange Crush". Using almost two million dollars in federal funds, state, local and federal agencies arrested 25 hundred fugitives throughout the state of Florida. "Not just fugitives but violent fugitives. The worst of the worst," says Miller.
One of the biggest catches of the task force came in a Pensacola neighborhood. A guy named Elliot Smalls. He came from South Carolina after a drug deal went terribly wrong according to Deputy U.S. Marshal Dominic Guadagnoli, "He had murdered somebody, dismembered them and fled to this area. When we arrested him he had an assault rifle and a hand gun. He gave us false identification and he even looked at a photo and told us it looks like me, but it's not me."
The operation is being called a success. The hope now is congress will continues to fund these multi-agency task forces and really take a bite out of crime.
U.S Marshal says in some Pensacola neighborhoods known for their high crime rates, people actually applauded the officers as they made arrests.