Fayetteville, Arkansas – In a daring operation Tuesday, October 21, U.S. Marshals captured a fugitive wanted for murder in New York after a dramatic attempt to flee from authorities in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Rephayah Oselmo, wanted for second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon, was apprehended at an apartment complex off South Lewis Avenue following a swift and coordinated investigation.
Oselmo had been on the run since a warrant was issued in Syracuse, New York, on October 8. Believed to have fled the state, authorities called in the U.S. Marshals Service to track and capture him. Their efforts led them to Fayetteville, where Oselmo made a desperate attempt to evade capture by jumping from a second-story window. Deputy marshals, however, were ready and quickly secured him without incident.
“The US Marshals Service task forces combine federal, state, and local law enforcement efforts to locate and arrest dangerous fugitives,” the agency said in a statement. “Our goal is to reduce violent crime by apprehending wanted criminals and serve as a central point for sharing fugitive information.”
The capture highlights the Marshals Service’s ongoing commitment to public safety. According to recent statistics, the U.S. Marshals arrested 74,222 fugitives and cleared 88,765 warrants in 2024 alone, averaging 297 arrests per day. These operations are part of a broader effort to target violent offenders and prevent further crimes.
Local residents at the apartment complex expressed relief after the arrest. “It was intense, seeing him try to jump out the window, but I’m glad the authorities got him,” one witness said. The successful operation in Fayetteville demonstrates the effectiveness of coordinated law enforcement efforts in apprehending fugitives who pose serious threats to communities.
Oselmo now faces extradition back to New York to answer charges related to the second-degree murder and weapons offenses. Authorities continue to urge anyone with information about fugitives to report tips to local law enforcement or the U.S. Marshals Service.
This arrest underscores the critical role the Marshals Service plays in protecting communities across the country by tracking down some of the nation’s most dangerous criminals, often in high-stakes and unpredictable circumstances.
The Fayetteville capture of Rephayah Oselmo is yet another example of how federal, state, and local law enforcement collaboration can swiftly remove violent offenders from the streets and enhance public safety for all.
