Detroit
Field Office
FBI
* 477 Michigan Ave., 26th Floor * Detroit, MI 48226 * www.fbi.gov
For
Immediate Release
Date:
Contact: SA Dawn M. Clenney
(313)
237-4206
Today, FBI Director Robert Mueller spoke in Los Angeles about the FBI's continuing commitment to address the rising problem of gangs and violent crime occurring throughout our nation. While preventing terrorist attacks remains the FBI's top priority, FBI resources dedicated to address violent crime within the FBI's Detroit Division have continued to focus on the most significant problems threatening our society.
In 2006, the FBI continued to address violent crime within the state of Michigan through a collaborative effort with our state and local, as well as other federal law enforcement partners. This collaborative effort resulted in the FBI's involvement with the following violent crime or violent gang task forces: Detroit Major Crimes Task Force, Detroit Violent Gangs Task Force, Grand Rapids Violent Crime Fugitive Task Force, Saginaw County Safe Streets Task Force, St. Joseph Violent Crime Fugitive Task Force, Genessee County Safe Streets Task Force, County of Macomb Enforcement Team (COMET), Oakland County Narcotics Enforcement Team (NET) and several other drug task forces.
During 2006, the Detroit Division conducted forty-four (44) gang investigations throughout the State of Michigan. These investigations included the following national gangs: The Latin Counts, the Gangster Disciples, and the Highwaymen Outlaw Motorcycle Gang. Additionally, numerous "homegrown" neighborhood based violent street gangs were targeted. These gangs were pursued through sustained proactive coordinated investigations utilizing federal racketeering and drug conspiracy statutes. Through our anti-gang/drug efforts, 536 subjects were arrested. Of these 536 subjects arrested, 121 of these subjects received federal sentences in excess of 10 years. Targeted violent gangs were seriously disrupted on 26 occasions, and 11 criminal groups were dismantled completely. With our partners in federal, state, and local agencies, FBI task forces seized over $4,000,000 in cash proceeds of illegal gang/drug activities as a result of these gang investigative efforts.
In addition to our gang and drug efforts, the Detroit Division continued to provide assistance to our state and local partners with the investigation of state and local crimes such as: murder, serial killing, felonious assault, criminal sexual conduct and armed robbery. The Detroit Division of the FBI continued to address numerous federal violent crime investigations in 2006, to include the investigation of such offenses as bank robbery, kidnaping, interstate transportation of juveniles for the purpose of prostitution, and the arrest of violent fugitives who have fled across state lines or international boundaries pursuant to the federal Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution (UFAP) statute. During calendar year 2006, 127 violent UFAP fugitives were arrested by Agents and task force officers of the Detroit Division. These fugitives were wanted for serious offenses such as: murder, criminal sexual conduct and assault with intent to commit murder. The Detroit Division initiated 11 kidnaping investigations which resulted in nine arrests, with four subjects being convicted to date.
In 2006, the Detroit Division continued to participate in the FBI's nationwide initiative known as "Innocence Lost", which was established to address the growing problem of child prostitution. In 2007, the Detroit Division will be forming a new crimes against children task force, which will be known as the Southeast Michigan Crimes Against Children Task Force (SEMCAC). This task force will continue to address the most serious problems of child prostitution and the sexual exploitation of children.
As we begin this new year, we will continue our aggressive and cooperative efforts with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners in Michigan to combat gang violence and violent crime. Violent crime matters remain a high priority with the FBI in order to make our cities and streets safer for all our citizens.