Captured: Fugitive Of The Week

The United States Marshals Service – NH Joint Fugitive Task Force is very pleased that several tipsters provided information that ultimately led to the arrest of a “Fugitive of the Week” hiding out in Concord, NH.

Joseph William Meserve, 27 years of age, was featured as the “Fugitive of the Week” on May 18th. Mr. Meserve was being sought on three outstanding arrest warrants including a State of NH warrant for parole violations on an original conviction for second degree assault, a Merrimack County arrest warrant for failing to appear on charges of assault, and lastly a Strafford County warrant for failing to appear on a narcotics charge.

Last month, Meserve had been featured as the “Fugitive of the Week,” which was aired on WTPL-FM, WNTK-FM, WTSN-FM, WEMJ-FM, The Union Leader, The Nashua Telegraph, The Patch, Foster’s Daily Democrat, Manchester Information, the Manchester Ink Link, the Rochester Voice and prominently featured on the internet. The “Fugitive of the Week” continues to be a very successful tool that has resulted in the location and arrest of numerous fugitives since its implementation in 2007. Additionally, the “Fugitive of the Week” was distributed statewide to all law enforcement officers in New Hampshire.

Today, members of the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force followed up on the multiple tips indicating that Meserve was residing at a residence on Matthew Street in Concord. At this residence, the team knocked and announced at the door, and received no response. Upon entering the residence and again announcing “police,” Mr. Meserve called out and surrendered without incident.

Meserve was searched after being handcuffed and a quantity of narcotics was found in the pocket of his shorts. Mr. Meserve was transported to the Concord Police Department, where he was processed on the outstanding arrest warrants and the new possession of a controlled drug charge.

After processing, Mr. Meserve was transported to the Merrimack County Jail for holding pending his initial court appearances on his multiple outstanding warrants and new narcotics charge.

This arrest was made by several member agencies of the US Marshal’s – NH Joint Fugitive Task Force, including members from the Strafford County Sheriff’s Office, the Concord, and Greenfield Police Departments along with deputy US Marshals.

US Marshal Nick Willard said, “The arrest of Mr. Meserve is another example of the hard work of the task force, the public and the media combining efforts to keep our neighborhoods safe.” Willard continued, “The NH Joint Fugitive Task Force continues to work every day on countless federal, state, county, and local arrest warrants to help maintain the State of New Hampshire as one of the best and safest places to live, work, and play.”

Since the inception of the U.S. Marshals - New Hampshire Joint Fugitive Task Force in 2002, these partnerships have resulted in over 8,542 arrests (Updated as of 12/31/2021). These arrests have ranged in seriousness from murder, assault, unregistered sex offenders, probation and parole violations and numerous other serious offenses. Nationally the United States Marshals Service fugitive programs are carried out with local law enforcement in 94 district offices, 85 local fugitive task forces, 8 regional task forces, as well as a growing network of offices in foreign countries.

Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov.