January 19, 2001

FUGITIVE APPREHENDED IN JAMAICA

Trenton, NJ — A Trenton man wanted since 1995 on numerous narcotics charges was recently arrested at a soccer game in Jamaica following an extensive investigation by the Central Jersey Fugitive Task Force (CJFTF), Mercer County Prosecutor Daniel G. Giaquinto and Acting U.S. Marshal Charles L. McNeil announced today.

Debrie Coates (DOB 6/21/71), whose last known address is the 800 block of Bellevue Avenue, Trenton, was arrested on January 2, 2001 by the Jamaican Fugitive Apprehension Team (JFAT), which is composed of officers of the Jamaican Police and the United States Marshals Service.  JFAT had received information that the defendant was at a soccer game in Falmouth, Jamaica.  When they arrived at the game, they took Coates into custody amid a small riot started by spectators that damaged a police vehicle.

Detectives Joseph Angarone and Cory S. Kammler II of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office and Deputy U.S. Marshal Tim Hein have been actively working the case for the last year and a half.  Through investigative efforts, they learned that Coates was in Jamaica.  Detective Angarone obtained a provisional warrant that was sent to the Jamaican Fugitive Apprehension Team (JFAT) in July 2000.  At that time, JFAT made an effort to take Coates into custody, however an armed confrontation proved too hazardous to attempt an arrest.

“This was a tremendous effort by the Task Force, which followed up numerous leads and was able to successfully track Coates down,” Giaquinto said.  “And I applaud the tenacious efforts of JFAT, who did not stop their relentless pursuit until the defendant was in custody.” 

An arrest warrant was issued for Coates on September 14, 1995, charging him with multiple narcotics offenses as well as unlawfully selling a handgun.  The charges resulted from a buy-bust operation that took place between July and September 1995.

The Central Jersey Fugitive Task Force targets violent and drug-related fugitives wanted on state and federal warrants.  It is lead by Mercer County Prosecutor Daniel G. Giaquinto and Acting U.S. Marshal Charles L. McNeil and comprised of members of the Trenton District of the U.S. Marshals Service, officers of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, the New Jersey State Police and the Trenton Police Department.     

Coates is currently in custody in Jamaica pending international extradition proceedings. 

Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.