U.S. Marshals apprehended Lee George-Maldonado, a Puerto Rican man, in Willimantic, Connecticut on Thursday. He was wanted for allegedly shooting and killing a man in Massachusetts in December. The U.S. Marshal’s Service listed multiple charges for George-Maldonado in Fall River, including murder, carrying a firearm without a license, attempting to commit a crime, kidnapping with a firearm, and two counts of attempted assault with a firearm. Additionally, he faces domestic violence charges in Puerto Rico. The Fall River Police Department had been investigating the shooting of Juan Castro, who was found dead outside his home on Bank Street on Dec. 23, 2023.
Police obtained a warrant for George-Maldonado’s arrest on May 17, and asked for the U.S. Marshals Service’s help in locating and apprehending him. The U.S. Marshals Connecticut Violent Fugitive Task Force, which includes members from various police departments in Connecticut and U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, was able to track George-Maldonado to a residence in Willimantic. With the assistance of SWAT members from the Willimantic Police Department, he was ultimately taken into custody. George-Maldonado is currently being held until he can be extradited to Massachusetts to face the charges against him.
The Connecticut Violent Fugitive Task Force was established in 1999 to apprehend violent fugitives and sexual predators. Since their inception, they have successfully arrested individuals wanted for a variety of offenses including murder, assault, probation and parole violations, and more. The task force is comprised of members from police departments in Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, Norwalk, and Waterbury as well as U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. Their primary objective is to locate and apprehend individuals who are considered to be a danger to society.
The successful apprehension of George-Maldonado highlights the dedication and effectiveness of the U.S. Marshals and the Connecticut Violent Fugitive Task Force in pursuing fugitives across state lines. Their collaborative efforts with local law enforcement agencies and other federal entities like U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement have proven to be instrumental in capturing individuals wanted for serious offenses. The task force’s ability to track down George-Maldonado, who was wanted for multiple charges including murder, demonstrates their commitment to ensuring that those who break the law face justice.
The arrest of George-Maldonado serves as a reminder of the tireless efforts of law enforcement agencies in pursuing fugitives and holding them accountable for their actions. The U.S. Marshals Service and the Connecticut Violent Fugitive Task Force play a crucial role in ensuring that individuals who commit serious crimes are apprehended and brought to justice. The coordination and cooperation between various agencies in this case led to the successful apprehension of George-Maldonado, who now awaits extradition to Massachusetts to face the charges against him. This case underscores the importance of collaboration among law enforcement agencies in pursuing and apprehending dangerous fugitives.
