Executive Summary
- Suspect Arrested: Lance Long, a fugitive from Leon County, Florida, was captured in Gladstone, Missouri.
- Specific Charges: Long is accused of harmful explicit communication to a minor and using a device to facilitate a felony.
- Operation Details: The arrest took place on Feb. 20 at a residence near 67th Terrace and Baltimore Avenue.
- Task Force: The operation involved the U.S. Marshals, Kansas City Police, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
GLADSTONE, Mo. – Authorities have apprehended a Florida fugitive in Gladstone, Missouri, following a targeted enforcement operation by the U.S. Marshals Service. Lance Long, who was sought by law enforcement in Leon County, Florida, was taken into custody last week on charges involving alleged crimes against children.
According to a news release from the U.S. Marshals Service, Long faces charges of harmful explicit communication to a minor and the use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony. The arrest occurred on February 20 near 67th Terrace and Baltimore Avenue at a residence previously known to authorities.
The operation was executed by the U.S. Marshals Midwest Violent Fugitive Task Force-Kansas City Division. This unit includes deputy U.S. Marshals and task force officers from the Kansas City Police Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and other federal partners. The task force specializes in locating individuals charged with violent crimes, drug offenses, and serious felonies, as well as recovering missing children.
Inter-Agency Task Force Operations
The apprehension of a suspect across state lines highlights the critical role of federal and local collaboration in the judicial system. The U.S. Marshals Service’s reliance on regional task forces, such as the Midwest Violent Fugitive Task Force, allows for the pooling of resources and intelligence necessary to track individuals who flee their original jurisdiction. This arrest underscores the operational reach of federal authorities in closing the distance between the commission of alleged crimes and custodial processing, particularly in cases involving sensitive charges against minors.
It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
