OPERATION TALON STING NABS HUNDREDS OF FUGITIVE FELONS IN PORTLAND AREA

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9, 2000—U.S. Department of Agriculture Inspector General Roger C. Viadero announced today that 205 fugitive felons in the Portland, Oregon, metropolitan area have been arrested in “Operation Talon.”  Total arrests now top 5,000 nationwide.  Operation Talon was designed to hunt down and apprehend fugitive felons, many of them violent offenders, by matching them against government records of current or former food stamp recipients.

Operation Talon nationwide has been characterized by innovative operations to lure offenders into custody, while avoiding violent confrontations.  In Multnomah County, fugitives illegally receiving food stamp benefits were informed that a Y2K-related computer conversion had caused the loss of their individual files.  The fugitives were directed to schedule an appointment to meet with a program specialist at the Portland Federal Building.  Undercover law enforcement officers arrested 35 fugitives when they reported for their scheduled appointments.  Violent offenders were among those apprehended during Portland-area operations.  The fugitives arrested included felons wanted for robbery, burglary, sex offenses, assaults, drug violations, and theft.

“Operation Talon has been a win, win situation throughout the country and now in the Portland area,” Viadero said.  “The community is safer as a result, and the integrity of the Food Stamp Program has been given a boost.  The outstanding cooperation among federal, state, and local agencies was the key to making this happen.”

Joining special agents of the Office of Inspector General in executing Operation Talon in Portland were officers from the Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington County Sheriff’s Offices; the Portland Police Bureau; and the Oregon State Police.  Agents and officers from the Federal Protective Service and the Office of Inspector General for the Social Security Administration also participated in the arrests.  In addition, valuable assistance was provided by officials of the Oregon Department of Human Resources, the General Services Administration, and the Food and Nutrition Service of USDA.

Made possible by the Welfare Reform Act of 1996, Operation Talon involves matching law enforcement agencies’ felony fugitive files with the state social services agencies’ food stamp recipient files.  As a result, law enforcement officers are able to locate and apprehend fugitives who also are receiving benefits illegally.  Since the inception of Operation Talon in early 1997, operations have been conducted in 71 metropolitan areas in 24 states and the District of Columbia.

Operation Talon is continuing in other locations throughout the country.  The operation has taken a significant number of dangerous and violent criminals off the streets while saving taxpayer dollars.