Detective Freeman of the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office has a dual role as a U.S. Marshal

Eastern District of North Carolina U.S. Marshal Glenn McNeill Jr. administers the oath of office to newly sworn-in Special Deputy U.S. Marshal Allen Blake Freeman at the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday. Courtesy of RCSO

LUMBERTON — As the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office continues to work with federal partners, a swearing-in ceremony was held Thursday at the Sheriff’s Office for Detective Allen Blake Freeman to join a federal task force.

“Freeman joins the Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force,” said U.S. Marshal Tim Garrett, Assistant Superintendent of the Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force. “This agency has been instrumental in locating multiple violent fugitives for our office, particularly those who are fleeing our county and state.” “Having several of our detectives dually sworn into federal task forces like this one has been instrumental in locating violent and wanted criminals,” said Sheriff Burnis Wilkins. “Utilizing the tools and resources of our federal partners is essential to ensuring the safety of our communities throughout our county. Our partnership with federal agencies and the U.S. Attorney’s Office is stronger than ever and we believe this partnership will continue to grow.” The Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force (CRFTF) began operations in January 2018 under the Presidential Threat Protection Act of 2000. The CRFTF is the newest Regional Fugitive Task Force, according to a prepared statement from the RCSO.

Thanks to cooperative agreements with more than 70 federal, state and local agencies and 11 fully operational offices, the CRFTF has successfully apprehended more than 8,900 fugitives since its inception, according to the RCSO statement released Thursday.

“The CRFTF has had an extraordinary impact in apprehending some of the most dangerous and violent fugitives in the region,” Wilkins said. “We strive to make their communities safer. Please join me in congratulating recently sworn-in Special Deputy United States Marshal Allen Blake Freeman.”