Operation NO Saints and Sinners and Fresh Start 2025: U.S. Marshals Make Over 65 Arrests and Recover 20 Missing Children

Strategic Insights -

The U.S. Marshals Service New Orleans Task Force conducted a two-month operation, partnering with local law enforcement agencies, to combat child sex trafficking, child abuse, and other violent crimes. The operations resulted in over 65 felony arrests, including 26 sex-based felony offenses, and the recovery of 20 missing/endangered children.

Key Takeaways:

  • The operations targeted child sex trafficking, child abuse, and other violent crimes, resulting in over 65 felony arrests and the recovery of 20 missing/endangered children.
  • 26 of the arrests were related to open sex-based felony offenses, with several cases involving child victims.
  • 15 of the arrests were related to felony sex offender registration compliance violations.
  • Three of the arrests were related to murder or attempted murder charges.
  • 7 of the arrests were for active child abuse warrants.
  • 4 firearms were seized during the operation.
  • Operation Fresh Start 2025 resulted in the recovery of 15 missing/endangered children.
  • U.S. Marshals collaborated with local, state, and federal agencies, including Louisiana State Police, FBI New Orleans Field Office, and Crimestoppers Greater New Orleans (GNO).
  • The USMS Sex Offender Investigations Branch and USMS Missing Child Unit provided additional resources and funds for the operations.
  • During the same time frame, the USMS New Orleans Task Force also continued to arrest other violent felony offenders across the Eastern District of Louisiana on warrants from partner Louisiana law enforcement agencies and other USMS districts across the country.
  • Notable arrests included Christian Bert Fischer, Evans Rogers, Jeffrey Alain Boone, Michael Bunch Harris, Mario Salvador Sorto-Selva, Derek Edward Franklin, Antionette Edwards Johnson, and tireless efforts by law enforcement agencies led to the recoveries of multiple victims, including a 17-year-old child from Statham, Georgia, and a 16-year-old child from St. Tammany Parish.
  • The operations also highlighted the critical role of partnerships, particularly the U.S. Marshals Service's collaboration with local, state, and federal agencies.

Statistics:

  • Over 65 felony arrests were made during the operations.
  • 26 of the arrests were related to open sex-based felony offenses.
  • 15 of the arrests were related to felony sex offender registration compliance violations.
  • 3 of the arrests were related to murder or attempted murder charges.
  • 7 of the arrests were for active child abuse warrants.
  • 4 firearms were seized during the operation.
  • 20 missing/endangered children were recovered during Operation Fresh Start 2025.
  • The operations involved a partnership of over 10 agencies, including local, state, and federal law enforcement.

Sources:

  • United States Marshals Service: "USMS New Orleans Task Force Makes Over 65 Arrests and Recovers 20 Missing Children During Operations NO Saints and Sinners and Fresh Start 2025"
  • Operation Fresh Start 2025 press release (no date provided)
  • Christian Bert Fischer arrest report (no date provided)
  • Evans Rogers arrest report (no date provided)
  • Jeffrey Alain Boone arrest report (no date provided)
  • Michael Bunch Harris arrest report (no date provided)
  • Mario Salvador Sorto-Selva arrest report (no date provided)
  • Derek Edward Franklin arrest report (no date provided)
  • Antionette Edwards Johnson arrest report (no date provided)