Four Fugitives Returned in One Month to U.S. from Belize

 ‘Close Cooperation of Law Enforcement Agencies’ says Regional Security Officer

 “Fugitive apprehensions overseas are all about justice,” said Joe Harms, Special Agent with the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) and the Regional Security Officer (RSO), at the U.S. Embassy in Belmopan, Belize. “With timely information, DSS finds the U.S. fugitives and sends them back to justice in the States. All this complements the cooperation we have with law enforcement here in Belize and with agencies in the U. S.”

Harms lauded the efforts of the U.S. Marshals and the local officials in Belize for the unusual record in April, having returned four fugitives to the U.S. to face their individual charges.

DSS was instrumental in returning to the U.S. from Belize the following individuals:

• Wendell David Briscoe, wanted in Kansas on charges of aggravated assault;
• Dusty Chandler, wanted in Arkansas for methamphetamine manufacture;
• Christopher A. Fulgham, wanted in Missouri on charges of violation of parole;
• Fred Donald Hornby, wanted in Florida for the sale of cocaine.

In 2006, the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) helped resolve 126 international fugitive cases. DS assisted in location and return of fugitives from 47 nations, in all regions of the world. Many of these fugitives were considered armed and dangerous, with a majority having prior felony convictions. The fugitives were fleeing from such charges as child molestation (21), child abduction (6), homicide/manslaughter (11), drug trafficking (22), aggravated assault (3), rape (1), robbery (3), weapons offenses (3), war crimes (2), and arson (2). Theft and fraud charges made up the remainder.

DS is the law enforcement and security arm of the U.S. State Department. The special agents, engineers, and security professionals of the Bureau are responsible for the security of 285 U.S. diplomatic missions around the world. Because DS is the most widely represented law enforcement organization in the world, the capability to track and capture fugitives who have fled the U.S. to avoid prosecution is unmatched.

In the United States, Diplomatic Security personnel protect the U.S. Secretary of State and high-ranking foreign dignitaries and officials visiting the United States, investigate passport and visa fraud, and conduct personnel security investigations.