Authorities arrest 168 people in E. Tennessee

U. S. Marshals arrested 168 fugitives, sex offenders, gang members and violent criminals in East Tennessee during a six- week operation that ended last week, authorities announced Friday.

The national operation was aimed at reducing violent crime and resulted in 7,100 arrests nationwide, according to a news release.

Locally, the operation centered on Hamilton, Blount, Knox, Sevier and Greene counties. The Chattanooga Police Department, East Ridge Police Department and Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the initiative.

About 20 of the 168 people who were arrested are gang members, according to the release.

“These individuals were a real threat to our communities as they were wanted for offenses such as felony possession of a weapon, child molestation, kidnapping, rape and murder,” Jimmy Fowler, U. S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Tennessee, said in the news release.

Local investigators also seized more than a kilogram of illegal narcotics and three firearms, he said.

The operation focused on apprehending fugitives wanted for murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, robbery, aggravated assault, arson, abduction, sexual assault and child molestation.

Investigators also looked for fugitives with three or more previous felony arrests who were wanted for violent crimes, narcotics, weapon charges, assault and theft.

Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher said the operation’s reach will extend beyond the 168 people who were arrested.

“These arrests have a beneficial ripple effect,” he said in the news release, “because many of these fugitives have a history of violent offenses.”