Thirteen members of the Southern District of West Virginia’s CUFFED Task Force have been awarded the Distinguished Group Award by the U.S. Marshals Service for their swift and professional actions in a high-stakes fugitive investigation, wvnews.com reports. The honor was presented at the 43rd Director’s Honorary Awards ceremony, recognizing their role in the capture of a murder suspect accused of murdering a Maryland Parole Agent in Montgomery County, MD.
On May 31, 2024, Emanuel Sewell, 55, of Chevy Chase, Maryland, was accused of ambushing and murdering Maryland Parole Agent Davis Geovanni Martinez during a home inspection in Montgomery County (Chevy Chase). Sewell, a convicted sex offender, immediately became the subject of a nationwide manhunt.
The very next day, on June 1, 2024, the U.S. Marshals Southern District of West Virginia CUFFED Task Force received a critical lead on Sewell’s location. The team quickly mobilized, using interviews, surveillance footage analysis, and tracking methods to pinpoint Sewell’s location to the Hurricane, West Virginia area.
The pursuit culminated on Interstate 64 when deputy U.S. marshals and task force officers identified Sewell’s vehicle. When he refused to stop, the task force executed a vehicle containment maneuver to prevent his escape. They successfully extracted Sewell from his vehicle and took him into custody. The entire apprehension took place within just 90 minutes of the initial lead.
Per WSAZ3.com, U.S. Marshal Michael T. Baylous praised the group’s actions, stating, “The actions of these Deputy Marshals and Task Force Officers in the apprehension of this violent fugitive exemplify the very best of the United States Marshals Service and the CUFFED Task Force.” He highlighted their “professionalism, teamwork, and courage under pressure,” which he said not only brought justice for Parole Agent Martinez but also ensured the safety of the community. Baylous added that he was “proud of their dedication and honored to call them my brothers.”
