On July 29, 2020, Operation Legend was launched in Cleveland. Since then, law enforcement officials have arrested and charged just under 100 people with federal crimes.
As of September 22, 2020, the breakdown of busts in Cleveland under the federal initiative is as follows:
- 72 people charged with federal crimes
- 42 charged with narcotics-related offenses
- 26 charged with firearms-related offenses
- 4 charged with other violent crimes
U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said that local and state law enforcement officers will continue to work in conjunction with federal agents to crack down on violent crime.
What Is Operation Legend?
Operation Legend is a federal initiative that has local law enforcement agencies working in conjunction with federal agencies. It was named in honor of a 4-year-old boy who was fatally shot on June 29, 2020, while he was asleep in his home.
The initiative aims to fight and reduce violent crimes occurring across the nation. It was first launched in Kansas City, MO, on July 8, 2020, and expanded from July through August to eight other cities across the U.S.
The Department of Justice assigned over 100 agents from the FBI; Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and U.S. Marshals Services to several cities nationwide. It sent over two dozen federal agents to Cleveland.
Nationwide, Operation Legend has resulted in the following:
- Over 3,500 people arrested
- 200 people arrested for homicide-related offenses
- 1,000 firearms seized
- 19 kilograms of heroin seized
- 11 kilograms of fentanyl seized
- 94 kilograms of methamphetamine seized
- 14 kilograms of cocaine seized
- $6.5 million in drug-related proceeds seized
Fighting for Those Charged with Federal Crimes
Officials launched Operation Legend to decrease violent crimes and protect the safety of the citizens of this country. And while the cooperation between law enforcement agencies is commendable, it is not infallible. Agents, working to get results under the initiative, might make unlawful arrests or violate constitutional rights.
At Patituce & Associates, our duty is to protect the rights of the accused. If you or a loved one was arrested and charged with a crime, our team in Cleveland will combine our knowledge, skills, and strengths to challenge the allegations. We thoroughly investigate every case we handle to develop innovative defense strategies and seek favorable outcomes.
For a no-cost, confidential phone consultation, call us at (440) 471-7784 or contact us online today.