Eighty-four warrants were served over the last 30 days in Jackson as a part of Operation North Star, a national initiative by the U.S. Marshals.

Ten cities participated in the operation, including Jackson, ALbuquerque, NM; Buffalo, NY; Cleveland, OH; Columbus, OH; Detroit, MI; Kansas City, MO; Milwaukee, WI; Oakland, CA; and Puerto Rico. It took place from January 9 through February 6 and nationwide resulted in the arrests of more than 900 fugitives, violent criminals, sex offenders, and self-identified gang members in select cities across the nation.

Operation North Star focused on fugitives wanted for the most serious, violent, and harmful offenses including homicide, forcible sexual assault, robbery, or aggravated assault. Investigators prioritized their efforts to include individuals using firearms in their crimes, or who exhibited risk factors associated with violence.

In Jackson there were 84 warrants closed. They broke down into these categories:

Focal warrants: 52 (homicide, sex assault, robbery, agg. assault)
Of the 52 focal warrants:
Weapons arrests: 6
Homicide arrests: 12
Sexual Offense arrests: 14
Assault arrests: 16
Robbery arrests: 4
Firearms seized: 9
Other warrants: 32 (other)
Narcotics seized: 118.39 kg (marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, other)
Currency seized: $96,000

Icesarion Barnes was arrested Jan. 10 in Jackson by members of the Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force at an apartment complex. Barnes was wanted by the Crystal Springs Police Department for the murder of a 17 year old store clerk during a robbery.

“By the execution of these warrants, we hope to build trust among the residents of Jackson, trust in the efforts of law enforcement to protect them from further harm by these individuals,” said U.S. Attorney Darren LaMarca. “Trust that your safety does matter. Trust in the motto, no matter how cliche, no matter how trite, ‘Crime doesn’t pay.'”