Operation Legend Has Contributed to 32 Arrests and the Seizure of 27 Firearms in Milwaukee

United States Attorney Matthew D. Krueger of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced today that local and federal law enforcement officers have made 32 arrests and recovered 27 firearms since the mid-July commencement of Operation Legend in Milwaukee.  Those arrested include individuals alleged to have committed firearms-related offenses as well as fugitives wanted for violent crimes, including homicide, armed robbery, and recklessly endangering safety.

Resources from Operation Legend have also contributed to federal charges against 8 defendants for firearm-related crimes in Milwaukee, including charges for being a felon in possession of a firearm, lying to federally licensed firearms dealer, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.  Some of these charges stemmed from conduct and investigations that began before Operation Legend but were aided by the additional resources brought by Operation Legend.    

“Operation Legend reflects the Justice Department’s commitment to work collaboratively with state and local partners to make Milwaukee a safer city for all of its residents,” said United States Attorney Krueger.  “By bringing to justice the shooters, the drug traffickers, and those who carry illegal firearms, we will reduce the levels of violence in our neighborhoods.”

Last week, United States Attorney Krueger held a press conference to explain that Operation Legend is a sustained, systematic, and coordinated law enforcement initiative in which federal law enforcement agencies work in conjunction with state and local law enforcement officials to fight violent crime.  In addition to Milwaukee, Operation Legend is now underway in Kansas City, Chicago, Albuquerque, Detroit, and Cleveland.  This week saw the expansion of Operation Legend into both Memphis and St. Louis.

In Milwaukee, Operation Legend is bringing over $12 million in funding for state and local law enforcement agencies to support violent crime reduction efforts.  Operation Legend also entails bringing to Milwaukee 25 to 30 federal investigators from these four Justice Department agencies: the FBI, DEA, ATF, and United States Marshals Service.  These investigators are joining the work already underway by existing joint federal, state and local task forces focused on combatting violent crime. 

Ten of those federal investigators are assigned to work in Milwaukee temporarily to provide immediate assistance, and the others are being assigned over the coming year to Milwaukee permanently to provide long-term assistance.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

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For further information contact: Public Information Officer Kenneth Gales                        

(414) 297-1700

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