U.S. marshals bring in most of the bad guys

By Larry Margasak

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — One fugitive was arrested at his wedding rehearsal dinner. Another was betrayed by his missing pinkie finger. A restaurant’s sparkling clean windows led to another apprehension.

These are among the prized captures of the U.S. Marshals Service, an agency that pursues its own "Top 15" fugitives but doesn’t get the attention afforded the FBI.

In December, the Marshals’ distribution of wanted posters to Kinko’s copy stores paid off when employees in Springdale, Ohio, recognized Clayton Lee Waagner — an escaped convict suspected of mailing hundreds of anthrax hoax letters to abortion clinics.

Nonetheless, Waagner was known mainly as a figure on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted list, where he was also named. He previously had been sentenced to 27 years on federal charges of transporting a stolen vehicle and illegal possession of a firearm; and 37 months for escaping from an Illinois jail.

"It probably is somewhat frustrating to the marshals," said Jim Pasco, spokesman for the Fraternal Order of Police, the nationwide law enforcement officers’ labor organization.

"They have the major role in apprehending federal fugitives. But their visibility and ability to reach the general public is secondary at best to the FBI because of its great name recognition and long-standing good relationships with the media."

The Marshals’ and FBI lists of top fugitives are chosen separately by each agency from recommendations made by offices around the country. Although the FBI is heavily engaged in criminal investigations, it’s the Marshals Service that usually hunts fugitives down.

That pursuit often means years of following trails and techniques that range from sophisticated electronic surveillance to old-fashioned wanted posters.

In September 1997, three deputy U.S. marshals were on the trail of drug trafficker Carl Hach when they heard that he and another man were cleaning windows in Rhinelander, Wis.

At a local restaurant, the three officers remarked to the waitress about its sparkling windows. She said two men had just washed them.

The officers drove around until they spotted a ladder against a McDonald’s — and found their man. Hach was convicted in March 1998 and sentenced to more than 15 years in prison.

In November 1999, deputy Marshal Bob Holtz was at a Pittsburgh YMCA when he had a chance encounter with Martin Agurs, who had been on the lam for 19 years.

Holtz had been searching for Agurs but was looking for someone else that day. Agurs, who had convictions for sexual assault, armed robbery, bank robbery, drugs and weapons violations, had two telltale physical conditions: He weighed 300 pounds and was missing his right pinkie.

While the deputy was talking to the YMCA desk clerk, he thought he recognized Agurs from a wanted picture. Agurs reached for his mail, showing his missing finger, and the chase was over. He pleaded guilty to armed robbery and was sentenced to three to 10 years.

U.S. Marshals in the Northwest

  • In October 2000, U.S. Marshals were pursuing James Rowe on firearms charges and accusations of impersonating a deputy marshal. He had claimed, falsely, to be a U.S. Navy SEAL, an Army special forces officer, a federal drug agent, a professional skier and an NFL football player.

  • Rowe was arrested at his wedding rehearsal dinner. He was wearing a Super Bowl ring he had purchased for $3,000 at a sports memorabilia shop.

  • He pleaded guilty in federal court to the firearms and impersonation charges and is awaiting sentencing in Seattle.

  • The marshals ran down a top-15 fugitive last summer in Mexico.

    Daniel Escobedo, 36 years before his capture, was the plaintiff in the landmark Supreme Court ruling in Miranda v. Arizona, which requires police to advise those under arrest of their rights, including the right to remain silent.

    In 1964, Escobedo’s murder conviction was thrown out because he confessed to the crime without being advised of his right to have a lawyer present.

    Deputy U.S. Marshals and Mexican police arrested Escobedo at a residence near Mexico City. He is a registered sex offender with a criminal record dating back more than 40 years, and has been arrested 25 times, the Marshals said.

    He pleaded innocent to murder charges in Chicago and is being held without bail pending trial.

    In another notable arrest, Johnny Jackson was found working in a Sheboygan, Wis., cheese factory, and later sentenced to life. Known as "Crusher" thanks to his batting skills on a championship softball team, he was accused of running the drug trade for Chicago’s largest street gang.

    Copyright ©2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

    Talk to us

    > Give us your news tips.

    > Send us a letter to the editor.

    > More Herald contact information.

    More in Local News

    Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

    Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

    Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
    Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

    Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

    Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

    Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

    Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    ‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

    Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

    Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

    Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

    Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

    Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

    People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

    The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

    The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

    The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

    The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
    Northshore School District bond improvements underway

    The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

    An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

    The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

    A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

    The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

    Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
    Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

    The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

    Support local journalism

    If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.