Acting U.S. Marshal Martin J. Pane announced today that the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) arrested Matthew Morales – an 18-year-old man – in Bronx, New York.
On June 3, 2011, an arrest warrant was issued for Morales, charging him with:
attempted criminal homicide – 1 count
aggravated assault – 4 counts
simple assault – 4 counts
recklessly endangering another person – 2 counts
Morales is accused of an early morning assault which occurred at a party in Coolbaugh Township, Monroe County, Pennsylvania on Saturday, May 21, 2011. Two victims, Isaiah Bannister and Samuel Green, both of Blakeslee, Pennsylvania, were stabbed multiple times by Morales when a fight broke out at the party. Green was stabbed approximately seven times in the back, neck and hand. Green was treated at the Community Medical Center in Scranton. Bannister suffered wounds to his face, ribs and back, and was treated at the Pocono Medical Center.
On July 22, the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department requested the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service to locate and apprehend Morales. This fugitive case was adopted by the U.S. Marshals Service’s Fugitive Task Force in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. U.S. Marshals based in Scranton, assisted by the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department, determined that Morales had fled the northeastern Pennsylvania area. U.S. Marshals developed information that Morales had ties to New York, and was possibly hiding out in the Bronx.
An investigative lead was sent to the U.S. Marshals Service’s New York/ New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force (NY/NJ RFTF) New York City Division.
During the early morning hours of August 17, the search for Morales narrowed to an apartment at 1760 Story Avenue, Bronx, NY. At approximately 7:00 a.m., U.S. Marshals and personnel from the USMS NY/NJ RFTF located and apprehended Morales at this location. Morales will be charged as a fugitive from justice by the New York City Police Department, and await extradition back to Monroe County, Pennsylvania to face the felony charges.
Acting Marshal Pane stated, “The U.S. Marshals Service is fully committed to ridding our communities of fugitives charged with violent offenses. We will continue to assist our law enforcement partners to ensure they are brought to justice.”
U.S. Marshals were diligent in their search for Morales. U.S. Marshals were assisted by several agencies that comprise its M/PA Fugitive Task Force. This included officers from the Lackawanna County Sheriff’s Office and the Pennsylvania State Police. The Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department and the New York City Police Department provided assistance in the investigation and capture of Morales.
The concept of all USMS-led fugitive task forces is to seek out and arrest the nation’s most dangerous offenders. Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found here.
