U.S. Marshals Target Iowa Gang Members In 'Operation Heatwave'

Dozens were arrested in an operation this month across Iowa.

The U.S. Marshals Service Southern Iowa Fugitive Task Force has announced that 'Operation Heatwave' has resulted in multiple arrests during the operation from July 21-24.

They said that planning and identifying started on June 29th then resulted in a 4-day crackdown, done alongside local and state law enforcement. The Marshals went after "violent offenders and gang members wanted for crimes including homicide, robbery, sexual assault, aggravated assault, weapons offenses and other serious felony offenses".

It resulted in the arrests of 61 wanted fugitives and closed a total of 97 felony arrest warrants.

Some of the notable arrests were:

Alfred Pyne, 18, arrested July 21 in Urbandale
- Warrant for intimidation with a dangerous weapon and reckless use of a firearm in connection to a shooting at Urbandale’s Lions Park Fourth of July celebration
Kristopher Keys, 28, arrested July 21 in Des Moines
- Multiple Iowa Department of Public Safety warrants for possession of a controlled substance, possession of a firearm by a felon, and tampering with a witness
Jacob Kerr, 26, arrested July 21 in West Des Moines
- Polk County warrant for probation violation on an original conviction of possession of a firearm or offensive weapon by a felon and operating while intoxicated
- Wanted on a probation violation warrant out of Dallas County for a conviction of pimping or procuring for prostitution
Jejuan Tyree Lyke, 30, arrested July 23 in Des Moines
- Warrant out of the Iowa Department of Corrections for a parole violation on an original conviction of third-degree kidnapping, intimidation with a dangerous weapon and willful injury causing bodily injury
- Also outstanding warrants out of the Pleasant Hill Police Department for distribution of both meth and fentanyl
Chad Smith, 44, arrested July 24 in Des Moines
- Warrant out of the Des Moines Police Department for second-degree sex abuse
- Federal officials said Smith had been a "highly publicized fugitive" after allegedly sexually assaulting a girl in 2024
- Smith was reportedly found by an Iowa State Patrol K9 hiding in a "void specifically designed to conceal his location"