U.S. Marshals-led sweep nabs 97 fugitives in Southern Arizona

Brian J. Pedersen Arizona Daily Star
August 9, 2010 1:00 pm

A multi-agency fugitive sweep nabbed nearly 100 people in southern Arizona last week, including 40 in Pima County, authorities said.

Operation Southern Star, which ran last Monday through Friday, resulted in 97 arrests across Pima, Pinal, Cochise, Santa Cruz and Graham counties, according to a news release issued by the U.S. Marshals service.

The sweep targeted fugitives wanted for violent crimes such as homicide, assault, weapons charges and sex offenses, the release said.

Among those arrested: Sierra Vista resident Donald James Beekman, 56, who was wanted for suspicion of child molestation and sexual abuse of a child, the release said.

All told 22 different local, state and federal law enforcement agencies participated in the sweep, according to the release.

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