CONTACT:
U. S. Marshal David W. Thomas
District of Delaware
(302) 573-6176
(302) 363-085- Cell
May 5, 2009 District of Delaware
Fugitive Safe Surrender-Delaware is Huge Success
More Than 1,000 Fugitives Surrender
WILMINGTON, Del. – The highly successful Fugitive Safe Surrender program was in Wilmington
Wednesday to Saturday. This program, led by the U.S. Marshals Service, worked with numerous
government agencies, faith-based and non-profit communities to encourage people with outstanding
warrants to surrender at a faith-base setting.
As a result of this operation, 1,073 people surrendered at New Destiny Fellowship located at 906
E. 16th Street in Wilmington. Of the 1,073 people, 101 felons surrendered during this program. A total of
4,131 warrants were cleared. Only six fugitives who surrendered were incarcerated – equivalent to just
0.5 percent of those who surrendered. Fugitive Safe Surrender is not an amnesty program, but it offers
favorable consideration.
Some of the people who turned themselves in to authorities had serious charges lodged against
them. One person was wanted for escape from the police and weapons charges. Another individual was
wanted for failing to register as a sex offender. Several people were wanted on robbery charges, weapon
charges, drug charges, felony assaults and numerous theft charges. There were also two subjects who
were on the Division of Child Support’s Most Wanted list. A total of eight people were wanted by other
states on serious warrants.
Fugitives from across the country came to New Destiny Fellowship to take responsibility for
their outstanding warrants. People from San Francisco, Houston and Alabama flew in to take an
opportunity of favorable consideration. Some fugitives drove long distances to adjudicate their cases.
One person drove 10 hours from West Virginia, while another person came back from Pittsburgh.
Numbers of people came from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia to
take advantage of Fugitive Safe Surrender.
Bishop Thomas Wesley Weeks, Sr., pastor of New Destiny Fellowship Church, was the host of
Fugitive Safe Surrender-Delaware. The Elder Ty Johnson with Churches Take A Corner (CTAC) was
the faith-based leader. Rev. Johnson was able to assemble about 100 clergy from around the state of
Delaware to participate in the program.
This program was funded through the Delaware Criminal Justice Council by the U. S.
Department of Justice, Community Capacity Development Office.
A number of government agencies were involved to make this program happen.
United States Marshals United States Attorneys
US Department. Of State
Diplomatic Security Service
Wilmington Police New Castle County Police
Delaware State Police Delaware Capitol Police
Delaware State Probation & Parole Newark Police
University of Delaware Police Division of Alcohol & Tobacco Enforcement
State Fire Marshals Office Delaware Department of Corrections
Salem County Sheriffs Office
Superior Court State of Delaware Family Court State of Delaware
Court of Common Pleas State of Delaware Justice of the Peace Court of Delaware
Administrative Office of the Courts Office of State Court Collections Enforcement
Delaware Department of Justice Office of the Public Defenders
Delaware Division of Child Support
Enforcement’s
Delaware Division of Motor Vehicle
Delaware Criminal Justice Council DELJIS (Delaware Criminal Justice System)
Delaware Department of Transportation
–end

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