U.S. Marshals take Zealand Adams into custody in Kent, one of two coordinated arrests connected to an alleged home invasion in Alabama. (Photo: U.S. Department of Justice | USMS)
BELLINGHAM, Wash. — U.S. Marshals arrested a Kent man Monday who allegedly posed as a federal law enforcement officer during a home invasion in Alabama, where he and another suspect allegedly held victims at gunpoint and stole valuables.
The Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force arrested Zealand Adams, 41, in Kent as part of a coordinated operation with the Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force in California. California authorities arrested Ramiro Vasquez, 39, in Chico.
Auburn police in Lee County, Alabama, wanted both men on multiple counts of robbery, burglary, unlawful imprisonment and impersonating a peace officer.
Investigators said Adams and Vasquez entered a residence in Alabama while posing as law enforcement officers. The men allegedly held the victims at gunpoint and stole valuables.
Auburn police asked the Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force to help locate the suspects. Investigators traced Adams to Kent and Vasquez to Chico after the home invasion.
The Gulf Coast task force then sent the information to fugitive task forces in Washington and California. The two task forces coordinated simultaneous arrests Monday.
Authorities arrested both men without incident and booked them into local jails. They now await extradition to Alabama.
Adams Has Previous Convictions
Adams has a criminal history that includes convictions stemming from a 2014 standoff in Utah.
Authorities said Adams led police on a high-speed chase before taking a 2-year-old child hostage and holding the child during a five-hour standoff.
At the time, Louisiana authorities also wanted Adams in connection with a murder. He later faced convictions for kidnapping in Utah and manslaughter in Louisiana.
“Impersonating law enforcement undermines public trust and threatens community safety. Our local and federal partners demonstrated exceptional teamwork, helping bring these dangerous offenders to swift justice.”
Donrien Stephens, Acting U.S. Marshal, Western District of Washington
The Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force brings together federal, state and local law enforcement officers from Washington, Oregon and Alaska under the leadership of the U.S. Marshals Service.
The task force focuses on locating and arresting federal and state fugitives, particularly those wanted for violent or serious offenses.
Anyone with information about wanted fugitives can contact the nearest U.S. Marshals office or the U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102. Tips can also go through the USMS Tips App.
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