U.S. Marshals Operation Leads To 80 Felony Arrests Across New Orleans Area

A months long operation targeting sex offenders and other wanted individuals across the New Orleans area resulted in 80 felony arrests, including dozens of people wanted on sex related charges or accused of violating sex offender registration requirements.

The U.S. Marshals Service New Orleans Task Force announced the results of Operation N.O. Saints and Sinners, which ran from April 6 through September 9 across the Eastern District of Louisiana.

Authorities said 49 of the 80 arrests involved people wanted on open sex based felony charges, with several of those cases involving child victims. Another 31 arrests involved absconding sex offenders accused of violating their registration requirements.

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The operation also resulted in two arrests connected to human trafficking. One person arrested during the operation was wanted in connection with murder or attempted murder charges.

The U.S. Marshals Service conducted the operation with assistance from numerous federal, state and local agencies, including the New Orleans Police Department, Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana State Police, Louisiana Probation and Parole, Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Several of the arrests involved suspects with serious previous convictions or new allegations.

On May 29, authorities arrested Charles Mangrum in Baton Rouge following what officials described as a 25 minute high risk vehicle pursuit. Mangrum was wanted by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office and Louisiana Probation and Parole for allegedly violating sex offender registration requirements and conditions of parole. Authorities identified Mangrum as a Tier 3 registered sex offender with previous convictions involving child sexual abuse material and carnal knowledge of a juvenile.

On July 27, authorities arrested Emmit Charles in New Orleans. Investigators said Charles had allegedly avoided sex offender registration requirements since 2020 while traveling in and out of the United States. In addition to the registration violation, authorities said a joint federal investigation resulted in Charles being charged with 11 counts of felon in possession of a firearm and three counts involving unlawful use of body armor.

Another suspect, Johnathan Ruffin, was arrested August 19 in New Orleans on allegations including third degree rape, attempted human trafficking, sexual battery and violation of sex offender registration requirements.

On August 25, authorities arrested Udraka Roberts-Bey in Metairie for allegedly unlawfully using a social networking website in violation of his sex offender registration requirements. Authorities said the case was also connected to a federal human trafficking investigation.

The Marshals Service simultaneously conducted Operation Safe Harbor NOLA, an effort focused on missing and endangered children. That operation ran from May 5 through August 15 and resulted in nine missing or endangered children being recovered or located.

One case involved a juvenile reported missing from New Orleans who authorities believed could be a victim of sex trafficking. Information eventually led investigators to Mississippi, where deputy U.S. marshals and members of a Homeland Security task force conducted an undercover operation. The juvenile was located at a motel outside Jackson.

Authorities also arrested Marcus Davis, who was wanted by New Orleans police on allegations of human sex trafficking, rape, kidnapping and multiple counts of felony domestic abuse battery. Marshals said Davis was discovered hiding behind a refrigerator inside a residence on Lamanche Street in New Orleans. Investigators later recovered two firearms, ammunition and suspected controlled substances while executing a search warrant.

The operations brought together law enforcement agencies throughout Southeast Louisiana and involved cases stretching into Mississippi.

U.S. Marshal Enix Smith III credited cooperation among federal, state and local agencies for the results, saying partnerships between agencies remain critical to locating wanted offenders, protecting victims and recovering endangered children.