SPOKANE — Sixty-two violent offenders are in custody following a joint operation in three eastern Washington counties.

The multi-county crackdown resulted in the arrest of 21 offenders in Grant County, 22 in Douglas County and 19 in Chelan County. The effort, dubbed “Operation Hopscotch,” was coordinated by the United States Marshals Service and involved federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, including the Grant County Sheriff’s Office and Moses Lake Police Department.

“Operation Hopscotch also led to the apprehension of fugitives based on arrest warrants issued from California and Idaho, as well as the arrests of offenders located in Arizona and Texas,” reads a press release the office U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington Joseph Harrington.

Operation Hopscotch aimed to locate and arrest sex offenders and other violent offenders who had outstanding warrants out for their arrest. Over the course of the operation officials reportedly seized 180 grams of methamphetamine and $2,000 in counterfeit currency.

“The United States Marshals Service is very appreciative of the partnerships we have with the city, county, state, and other federal law enforcement agencies that worked diligently to make this warrant operation a tremendous success,” Craig Thayer, U.S. marshal for the Eastern District of Washington, said. “Our communities are safer as a result of these cooperative efforts that help to hold these violent offenders accountable to the justice system.”

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.