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US Marshals and local law enforcement announced yesterday that 120 people had been arrested as part of an antigang operation in Galveston County in early January.
https://www.galvnews.com/news/police/free/article_e563061a-63b9-5edf-94e8-4687569aff12.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=user-share #GalvNews
https://www.galvnews.com/news/police/free/article_e563061a-63b9-5edf-94e8-4687569aff12.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=user-share #GalvNews
Beyond the number of arrests, officials didn't announce the names of the people arrested or the charges against them. Officials insisted the people arrested as part of Operation Washout were wanted for violent crimes #GalvNews
Back on Jan. 9, Marshals invited me and a photographer to ride along with them during the operation, on the condition we embargo information about the operation until they announced the outcome. #GalvNews
During the ride-along I was on, the Marshals staked out a funeral at Galveston's Lakeview cemetery.
There were two funerals that day, for two young Black men who were killed in separate shootings in December. Police alleged the men were members of rival gangs. #GalvNews
There were two funerals that day, for two young Black men who were killed in separate shootings in December. Police alleged the men were members of rival gangs. #GalvNews
The burials were scheduled within minutes of each other, with one group coming to the cemetery from a church in Galveston, and the other crossing the Causeway from a church in Texas City #GalvNews
There were at least six Galveston PD cars staked out around the cemetery, while we were in an unmarked car that actually drove into an parked among the funeral-goers #GalvNews
The marshals said they were specifically looking for one person as part of Operation Washout, a gang member wanted for aggravated assault. They believed he was at the funeral. #GalvNews
Despite the obvious worry about problems between the two groups of mourners — and scanner traffic noting that some of the people might be carrying guns — nothing happened #GalvNews
As the second burial ended, the task force began to try to identify the person they thought was the their wanted suspect, eventually identifying a blue BMW as the one they were going to pull over. #GalvNews
The truck we were in followed the BMW, onto Avenue S in Galveston. The BMW, apparently noticing that we were behind them, turned up 53rd Street and then made some turns through side streets and alleys. #GalvNews
Eventually we got back behind the car. At least 10 task force members, including our driver, pointed their weapons at the car and ordered the three people in the car to come out with their hands up. #GalvNews
The men were handcuffed and questioned, but it quickly became apparent that none of them were the person were the person who police were looking
Yesterday, a spokesman confirmed that the three men that watched being detained were not charged with any crimes #GalvNews
Yesterday, a spokesman confirmed that the three men that watched being detained were not charged with any crimes #GalvNews
I asked about incidents during the operation where people were pulled over at gunpoint without being charged yesterday.
"If we pull our weapon, you're going to jail," U.S. Marshal T. Michael O'Connor said.
That doesn't appear to be true. #GalvNews
"If we pull our weapon, you're going to jail," U.S. Marshal T. Michael O'Connor said.
That doesn't appear to be true. #GalvNews
While being pulled over, we could hear one of the men speaking to the task force members as they questioned him.
“I’m scared. My brother just died and you all are tripping. You need to be going out and getting the people that killed my brother and not messing with us.” #GalvNews
“I’m scared. My brother just died and you all are tripping. You need to be going out and getting the people that killed my brother and not messing with us.” #GalvNews
