Marshals task force lands 40 fugitives in Nevada

Jace Radke

Thursday, Oct. 4, 2001 | 8:54 a.m.

A fugitive task force led by the U.S. Marshals Service has arrested 63 fugitives, 40 in Nevada, during a recently completed two-week operation.

Fugitives arrested during the sweep, which began Sept. 17 and ended Tuesday, were wanted on felony warrants in connection with narcotics, fraud, weapons and violent crimes, Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Fidencio Rivera said.

Among those arrested was a retired constable, who was wanted in Great Britain on fraud and money laundering charges.

Neil Edward Walker, 45, was arrested Sept. 26 at his Las Vegas home by U.S. Customs agents, who were assisted by U.S. marshals. Walker is accused of laundering between $45 million and $60 million as part of a tax fraud scheme in England.

According to British authorities, Walker and another man are charged with purchasing cell phones tax free in Spain, then selling the phones in England between 1996 and 1998. The pair is accused of charging customers tax on the phones and not turning that money over to the British government, a customs official said.

Walker worked as a constable in Nottingham, England, and retired from a police unit that investigated fraud, British officials said. Walker is believed to have lived in Las Vegas for at least a year.