Multi-agency task force sweeps for violent repeat offender during three-day operation

A meticulously planned three-day operation led by the U.S. Marshals Service concluded on April 3, 2025, with the arrest of 21 of Western Arkansas’ most-wanted fugitives. Dubbed "Operation April Fool," the initiative targeted repeat violent offenders and elusive criminals in Sebastian and Crawford Counties, delivering a significant blow to crime in the River Valley region.

The operation, which ran from April 1 to April 3, was spearheaded by the U.S. Marshals Service Western Arkansas Fugitive Task Force. It brought together a coalition of law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, Arkansas State Police, Arkansas Community Correction, and local sheriff’s offices and police departments from Fort Smith, Van Buren, Alma, Bentonville, Rogers, Mountain Home, and Baxter and Benton Counties.

This collaborative effort focused on apprehending individuals with outstanding state felony warrants, many of whom had long evaded capture.

Authorities arrested the 21 fugitives on a range of serious charges, including aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, sexual assault, battery, felon in possession of firearms, possession and distribution of narcotics, kidnapping, and parole violations. Many of the individuals apprehended had extensive criminal histories, marking them as high-priority targets for law enforcement.

The operation’s success was attributed to the seamless coordination among the participating agencies, with U.S. Marshal Gary Grimes emphasizing the critical role of these partnerships. “Our collaboration with law enforcement across the Western District of Arkansas was key to getting these violent offenders off the streets,” Grimes said in a statement.

Operation "April Fool" unfolded in Fort Smith and the surrounding River Valley area, a region that has faced heightened challenges in recent days due to severe weather and storm recovery efforts. Despite these conditions, the task force executed arrest warrants with precision, ensuring the safety of both officers and the community.

The operation’s timing--coinciding with the start of April--served as a strategic surprise, catching many fugitives off guard, a factor that likely contributed to its success.

This crackdown aligns with the U.S. Marshals Service’s broader mission to reduce violent crime nationwide. In fiscal year 2024, the agency cleared over 33,000 federal and 57,000 state fugitive cases, a testament to its ongoing efforts to bolster public safety.

For the residents of Sebastian and Crawford Counties, the removal of these 21 dangerous individuals offers a measure of relief and a signal that law enforcement remains vigilant.

Local officials praised the operation as a step forward in addressing crime in Western Arkansas.

The identities of the arrested individuals have not been released pending further processing.