US Marshals Service

Lore & Background

The United States Marshals Service became part of the investigation after eight inmates escaped from the Curry County Adult Detention Center on August 24, 2008. Federal agencies, including the Marshals, joined state police and the sheriff's department in the search. Officials believed some escapees could have been in West Texas and the Lubbock area, so searches focused around Clovis, Albuquerque, and Amarillo, Texas. Marshals conducted sweeps of areas the escapees were known to frequent and began looking into families and friends of the inmates. Melody Carter, mother of escapee Larry McClendon, Jr., said marshals searched her house and told her they might have to use deadly force when they find him. The Marshals' involvement helped lead to the capture of Javier Zapata, who was arrested by federal marshals late on August 25 in Cactus, Texas, about 165 miles from Clovis.

In Their Own Story

Federal marshals swept through neighborhoods the escapees were known to frequent, knocking on doors and questioning relatives. Melody Carter watched them search her home, her son Larry McClendon, Jr. still at large. They told her they didn't know his state of mind, so might have to use deadly force. She made a public plea: 'I love you and I couldn't stand to lose you. Please turn yourself in.' The marshals kept pushing, following tips across state lines until one by one the escapees were caught.

Reader's Guide

The United States Marshals Service operates as a federal law enforcement agency under the U.S. Department of Justice. In the Clovis jailbreak investigation, they worked alongside state police and the sheriff's department to track eight escapees. Their methods included conducting sweeps of areas the inmates were known to frequent, setting up roadblocks on the outskirts of Clovis, and questioning motorists. They also investigated families and friends of the escapees, searching homes and making public appeals. The Marshals successfully captured Javier Zapata in Cactus, Texas, about 165 miles from Clovis, on August 25, 2008. Their role in the manhunt demonstrates their capacity to coordinate across state lines and work with multiple agencies to apprehend fugitives charged with violent crimes.

Did You Know?

• The United States Marshals Service joined the investigation alongside state police and the sheriff's department after eight inmates escaped from the Curry County Adult Detention Center.
• Federal marshals captured escapee Javier Zapata on August 25, 2008 in Cactus, Texas, about 165 miles from Clovis.
• Marshals searched the home of Melody Carter, mother of escapee Larry McClendon, Jr., and told her they might have to use deadly force when they find him.
• The Marshals conducted sweeps of areas the escapees were known to frequent and began looking into families and friends of the inmates.
• Officials believed some escapees could have been in West Texas and the Lubbock area, so searches focused around Clovis, Albuquerque, and Amarillo, Texas.