[JURIST] The US Marshals Service [official website] captured over 10,000 fugitives last week, the largest number apprehended in a single enforcement effort in US history, US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales announced Thursday. During the press conference [transcript], Gonzales said that the nationwide sweep, entitled Operation FALCON III [US Marshals backgrounder], "has broken all US Marshals records for the number of fugitives, sex offenders, and gang members arrested in one week," culminating in the arrest of some "1,600 sex offenders - 971 of whom were unregistered - and 360 gang members."

The operation took place in 49 US districts throughout 24 states and was similar to enforcement efforts that took place in April 2006 and April 2005 [DOJ press releases; JURIST report]. The US Department of Justice and the US Marshals Service partnered with other US agencies to implement the effort, including the US State Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. AP has more.