U.S. MARSHALS AND LOUISIANA ATTORNEY GENERAL CHARLES FOTI PARTNER TO ARREST ORLEANS/JEFFERSON PARISH CONTRACTOR FRAUD SUSPECT IN AUSTIN, TEXAS AREA

On the morning of March 29, 2007, deputy U.S. Marshals from the Western District of Texas (Austin, Texas office) arrested Frank Hodges Jr., 61 years old, at his residence in Spicewood, Texas based on a collateral lead sent by the U.S. Marshals Eastern District of Louisiana Crescent Star Fugitive Task Force (CSFTF). Hodges was wanted on warrants out of Jefferson and Orleans Parish for multiple counts of contractor fraud and exploitation of the infirmed totaling over $200,000.

Louisiana Attorney General, Charles Foti Jr. has been investigating contractor fraud related to Hurricane Katrina and is actively investigating complaints related to contractors. The Louisiana Attorney General’s office determined that Hodges had fled back to his home in the Austin, Texas area. CSFTF was contacted by the Louisiana Attorney General for assistance in having him arrested. CSFTF sent a lead out to the Austin, Texas U.S. Marshals office and they were able to locate and arrest him without incident.

The Louisiana AG’s office alleges that Hodges was operating in the New Orleans, Louisiana metro area as a contractor under the companies H and H Executive Management Inc. and JCH Enterprises. The warrants for his arrest were obtained by their office in late February of 2007.

CSFTF is currently being allocated additional resources by the U.S. Department of Justice in support of U.S. Attorney General, Alberto Gonzales efforts to assist the New Orleans metro area with its post Hurricane Katrina law enforcement efforts. Because of this support, EDLA U.S. Marshals Service is able to support the increase in the federal court work load while maintaining its fugitive apprehension mission in the New Orleans metro area. CSFTF is currently averaging 10-15 fugitive/warrant arrests per week with many suspects wanted on charges such as murder, other violent crimes, or sex offenses. CSFTF is also assisting the New Orleans Police Department VOWS unit with many of its warrants. Current CSFTF members include the New Orleans Police Department, the Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff’s Office , St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office, Bogalusa Police Department, Louisiana Probation and Parole and U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Services.