Executive Summary
- Joint operation by Dallas Police and U.S. Marshals leads to the arrest of fugitive Velisa Purvis.
- Authorities seized suspected crack cocaine, methamphetamine, and distribution materials.
- Purvis was wanted on four outstanding felony warrants and faces additional charges.
- The arrest took place in the 1500 block of Garrett Avenue in downtown Dallas.
A joint operation involving the Dallas Police Department and federal authorities resulted in the arrest of a fugitive and the seizure of narcotics in downtown Dallas on January 6. Officers from the Central Business District Patrol Division, collaborating with the U.S. Marshals North Texas Fugitive Task Force, located and apprehended 40-year-old Velisa Purvis in the 1500 block of Garrett Avenue.
According to police reports, Purvis was taken into custody without incident. Authorities stated that she had four outstanding felony warrants related to narcotics offenses at the time of her arrest.
Following the apprehension, investigators conducted a search and recovered significant quantities of illicit substances. The seizure included 39 small bags of suspected crack cocaine, two bags of suspected methamphetamine, and marijuana. Police also confiscated drug packaging materials, currency, and other paraphernalia, which investigators noted were consistent with the distribution of illegal drugs.
Purvis now faces new felony charges, including the manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance between four and 200 grams, and the manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance between one and four grams. Major John Madison, commander of the Central Business District Patrol Division, emphasized the importance of federal partnerships in these operations. “Our proactive police work is made better through our strong partnerships with agencies like the U.S. Marshals,” Madison stated.
Operational Impact and Legal Proceedings
This arrest highlights the strategic utility of the U.S. Marshals North Texas Fugitive Task Force in assisting local law enforcement with high-priority apprehensions within the Central Business District. By targeting individuals with outstanding felony warrants, authorities aim to disrupt local distribution networks and enhance public safety in the downtown area. The investigation is documented under Dallas Police case number 002678-2026. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
