Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies announced 90 arrests and major drug and firearm seizures following a five-day operation in Central Texas.
WACO, Texas — Law enforcement agencies across Central Texas are touting the success of a large-scale crime crackdown that led to nearly 100 arrests during a five-day operation targeting violent offenders and high-risk fugitives.
Federal, state and local officials gathered in Waco on Tuesday, May 19 to announce the results of “Operation Joint Venture,” a coordinated enforcement effort conducted May 4 through May 8 by the U.S. Marshals Service-sponsored Lone Star Fugitive Task Force and the Texas Department of Public Safety Repeat Offender Program.
Authorities said the operation focused on active warrants for violent offenders, gang members, drug dealers, parole violators and other fugitives across the region.
“We’re coming to get you and you can’t hide from us,” Coryell County Sheriff Scott Williams said during the press conference.
According to Deputy U.S. Marshal Brandon Filla, officers arrested 90 people during the operation, clearing more than 70 warrants. Investigators also seized 13 firearms, approximately 1,073 grams of narcotics and $4,384 in cash.
Among the most significant arrests was 22-year-old Daylyn Harris of Houston, who authorities said was wanted by the Austin Police Department in connection to an April 26 shooting at Sam’s Barbecue in Austin. Harris was arrested without incident in Temple, officials said.
Another arrest in Killeen led investigators to seize an AR-15 rifle, three handguns, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, marijuana and cannabis plants, according to authorities.
Bell County investigator Sgt. Corey Powell said law enforcement agencies across Central Texas are increasingly relying on one another as crime crosses city and county lines.
“When I first started, crime seemed to stay in its own jurisdiction,” Powell said. “We’re not seeing that. We are seeing crime crossing city limits and county lines. So us partnering together only makes Central Texas safer.”
Powell also said the operation removed dangerous offenders from the streets, while warning that more arrests are likely ahead.
“We got 90 people off the street,” Powell said. “We got 90 more that need to come, and that’s OK because we got all the jails to put them in.”
Williams praised the collaboration between agencies, particularly in rural counties where smaller departments often depend on neighboring agencies for support.
“Separately we’re not a very big force, but collectively we’re a force to be reckoned with,” Williams said. “When we come together like this, we’re kind of like the boogeyman to the boogeyman.”
McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara called the operation an example of the strong working relationships among Central Texas law enforcement agencies.
“We’re not going to let up. We’re not going to forget about them and we’re going to be coming on strong,” McNamara said. “This is an unbelievable combined effort on the part of so many agencies.”
Officials said all arrests during the operation were carried out without injury or death, something several law enforcement leaders highlighted while commending officers involved in the operation.
Participating agencies included multiple local police departments and sheriff’s offices, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Texas Board of Criminal Justice Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations.