Domestic violence arrests focus of U.S. Marshals this month

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The U.S. Marshals Service is always on a mission to take violent criminals off the streets.  

This month, the department is putting a focus on domestic violence crimes which officials said have increased in the last few years. 

NBC4 rode with the U.S. Marshal’s Task Force on Thursday. Two fugitives were taken into custody, one of whom whose case involved domestic violence charges. 

“It's a heinous crime,” U.S. Marshal Michael Black said. “Those are crimes that, of course, we all take very seriously and kind of spurs an attitude, intentionality with our team that they want to apprehend these individuals. They do not want them out there running around with the opportunity to commit the same offense to a child again.” 

The first fugitive was listed from last month's warrant watch. Michael Oliver has had warrants out for his arrest since January 2021 for failure to register as a sex offender. The marshals arrested him in Johnstown.  

Black said Oliver could be charged federally since he was convicted of crimes in Michigan then moved to Ohio. 

Justin Woolum had a warrant out for his arrest out of West Virginia since July 2022. He is charged with sexual assault of a child. The marshals found Woolum at a home in Lancaster. 

Black said they hope by putting a focus on domestic violence this October they are helping to stop the cycle of violence. 

“Our goal is to catch them, apprehend them, put them behind bars so they don't have an opportunity to commit another violent crime of domestic violence,” he said. “You know, they're still out there. There's a chance they may be able to commit another crime and they may do it again.” 

Black said so far this month, the marshals service has apprehended about 25 domestic violence suspects. He said this is the first time in his tenure as a marshal they have done this mission and hopes it makes an impact on the community.