ST. LOUIS METROPOLITAN
FUGITIVE TASK FORCE

The top priority for the St. Louis FBI is to address and reduce violent crimes that afflict the citizens that we are sworn to protect. To rid the streets of the most violent felons, the FBI has joined with officers from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the St. Louis County Police Department, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, and the Missouri Highway Patrol to form the St. Louis Metropolitan Fugitive Task Force.

History:

The Violent Crimes and Omnibus Crimes Control Act of 1991 made federal funds available for the purpose of Safe Streets Task Forces. The purpose of the Safe Streets Initiative was to combine the efforts of federal, state and local agencies in an effort to stop violent felons from operating a criminal empire or continuing to conduct criminal activity (but did not expand federal authority in local criminal matters). St. Louis has two Safe Streets Task Forces, one to address the problem of gangs, and one to address fugitive matters, which is known as the St. Louis Metropolitan Fugitive Task Force (SLMFTF).

The FBI has worked with local law enforcement in the St. Louis area for many years to address violent crimes. The SLMFTF was implemented to maintain a more cohesive force to address the most dangerous felons.  The SLMFTF was brought into one unit, under one roof and one command structure on February 19, 1997.

Mission:

The mission of the task force is to locate and apprehend violent fugitives; with a particular interest in felons who are at-large and who pose the most significant danger to the community by perpetrating the most egregious criminal conduct. Therefore, this unit is tasked with apprehending the most dangerous and difficult-to-locate criminals in the St. Louis area.

Each federal officer has been cross-designated as a peace officer in the state of Missouri, and likewise, each local officer has been designated as a Special Deputy U.S. Marshal to provide them with federal authority.

Fugitives sought by the SLMFTF must meet specific criteria. These criteria include an active warrant and,

• believed or known to be a member of a violent street gang and/or;

• have a documented history of violence and/or;

• have committed a particularly dangerous violent act; threats to commit such an act or intimidating witnesses in a criminal action through force or violence and/or;

• the warrant in these cases may be for lesser or nonviolent offenses, but cases will be worked if there is information to believe that the criminal is acting with others, or controlling a criminal enterprise that commits acts of violence or facilitates violent acts (such as a street gun dealer).

The task force has enjoyed great success. While focusing on the most violent and difficult fugitives to capture, the SLMFTF has arrested over 500 fugitives in one year. These persons have been charged with murder, rape, sodomy, child molestation and many other violent charges.

If you have information concerning the location of any individual you believe is wanted by law enforcement authorities, please telephone the FBI at (314) 589-2500.  All information provided will be kept confidential.