Criminal Podcast Summary: "Operation Flagship"

Host: Phoebe Judge
Episode Release Date: December 13, 2024
Podcast Series: Criminal by Vox Media Podcast Network
Description: Criminal explores stories of people who’ve done wrong, been wronged, or found themselves in the midst of moral dilemmas. In "Operation Flagship," hosted by Phoebe Judge, the episode delves into a high-stakes sting operation orchestrated by the U.S. Marshals in the mid-1980s to apprehend elusive fugitives through deceptive tactics.

I. Introduction to Operation Flagship

In "Operation Flagship," Phoebe Judge recounts a meticulously planned sting operation by the U.S. Marshals Service aimed at capturing hard-to-find fugitives. The operation leveraged deception and allure, promising lucrative rewards to entice fugitives out of hiding.

II. Background: U.S. Marshals and the Formation of FIST

The episode begins by highlighting the challenges faced by the U.S. Marshals in the early 1980s. With budget cuts affecting the FBI's ability to track down federal fugitives, the responsibility shifted to the U.S. Marshals. In response, they established the Fugitive Investigative Strike Teams (FIST) in 1981, specializing in unconventional methods to apprehend fugitives.

III. Previous Sting Operations

Prior to Operation Flagship, the Marshals had already employed several innovative sting techniques:

• Boy George Contest (1984): A contest promising tickets to see Boy George and the Culture Club was a cover to arrest Robert Harris, a fugitive wanted for burglary. As Phoebe Judge narrates, "There wasn't a flat tire, there wasn't a television station, and there wasn't a breakfast with Boy George. The whole thing had been a sting" ([01:55]).

• Puno Airlines (1985): A fake airline was created to lure individuals with fraudulent free trips to the Bahamas, resulting in multiple arrests ([05:16]).

• Playboy Club Invitation: Invitations to a special event at a Playboy club ended with arrests conducted by undercover agents posing as Playboy bunnies ([06:35]).

These operations were part of broader efforts by FIST to creatively target fugitives without direct confrontation, deemed safer for both the marshals and the public.

IV. Planning and Execution of Operation Flagship

In 1985, Toby Roach, newly promoted to Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal for the District of Columbia, spearheaded Operation Flagship. The operation was conceived during a dinner conversation with his boss, Herb Rutherford, where Roach suggested leveraging the allure of NFL tickets to trap fugitives.

Roach explained, “We could have people for Redskin tickets and create a new sports video like ESPN or something like that” ([12:24]). This idea led to the creation of Flagship International Sports Television (FIST), another acronym for the Fugitive Investigative Strike Teams.

V. Involvement of CBS and Alan Goldberg

Alan Goldberg, a young television producer from CBS News working on the show West 57th, sought to gain insider access to one of these sting operations. Intrigued by the media attention surrounding the Marshals' tactics, Goldberg approached the U.S. Marshals, securing permission to film Operation Flagship ([13:46]).

Goldberg recounted, “They looked, they wanted the attention. They were getting a lot of great headlines around the country. And we came to them and said, look, we'd like to get inside one of your stings” ([14:12]).

VI. The Execution of Operation Flagship

Operation Flagship involved sending over 3,000 invitations to individuals promising free tickets to Washington Redskins (now Washington Commanders) games and a chance to win a trip to Super Bowl XX. Recipients were instructed to RSVP for a brunch event at the Washington Convention Center.

As the operation commenced, CBS's Meredith Vieira acted as an on-site correspondent, capturing the unfolding events. Marshals created a festive atmosphere with cheerleaders (female police officers) greeting guests, while armed undercover cops were discreetly positioned throughout the venue ([18:09]).

Toby Roach emphasized the restrained approach: “We do not want any excessive force. Only the force necessary will be used in this operation” ([15:59]).

VII. Unforeseen Issues and Ethical Concerns

Despite meticulous planning, Operation Flagship encountered significant issues:

1. Misidentification of Targets:

   • Charles Watkins Error: One of the top ten fugitives, Charles Watkins, believed to be involved in a second-degree murder case, was mistakenly arrested. In a poignant moment, Watkins mistakenly identified himself as his son, revealing the error ([23:01]-[23:08]):

     Toby Roach: "That's not me."
     Toby Roach: "Do you know my name is Charles Watkins. He's my son, and I'm on this bus." ([23:03])

   • Lloyd Golden Misclassification: Another so-called top fugitive, Lloyd Golden, was actually wanted for narcotics sale, not more severe crimes like armed robbery ([23:22]-[23:34]).

2. Arresting Low-Level Offenders:

   • Out of the 94 individuals arrested, only a fraction were high-value targets. The majority were individuals wanted for misdemeanors, including traffic violations ([24:04]-[24:16]):

     Meredith Vieira: "Among the arrested, there was one attempted murderer, three escapees, and seven robbers. But 55 were wanted only on misdemeanors, including six traffic offenders."

3. Ethical Implications:

   • Alan Goldberg questioned the ethics of trapping individuals for minor offenses, stating, “You might have been arrested that day because you didn't answer a summons for a parking ticket. It could have been me” ([26:37]-[27:03]).
   • Stanley Morris defended the tactics as necessary and safe, asserting, “It's very safe for the public. I think it's the safest way to get dangerous criminals off the street” ([26:13]-[26:37]).

VIII. Aftermath and Evaluation of Success

The immediate aftermath saw operational success in terms of numbers, with 94 arrests reported. However, the quality of these arrests was questionable. Within three weeks, 72 of the 94 detainees were released, underscoring the ineffectiveness of the sting in targeting truly dangerous criminals ([27:16]-[27:16]).

Phoebe Judge summarizes the mixed outcomes:

*"Operation Flagship arrested nearly 100 people at a fairly inexpensive way without any injury. And those people, if we hadn't run, it would still be out on the street."_ ([24:43])

Ultimately, the operation was deemed flawed. While it achieved high arrest numbers, the majority were for minor infractions, leading to a reevaluation of FIST's strategies. By 1986, FIST operations were discontinued, and such large-scale undercover stings became a thing of the past.

IX. Conclusion: Legacy of Operation Flagship

"Operation Flagship" serves as a critical examination of law enforcement tactics that balance effectiveness with ethical considerations. The episode highlights the complexities of apprehending fugitives while respecting individual rights and underscores the potential consequences of prioritizing quantity over quality in criminal justice operations.

Phoebe Judge reflects on the operation's legacy, noting that while it temporarily disrupted the activities of certain individuals, its methodological shortcomings sparked debates on the appropriateness of deceptive practices in law enforcement.

Notable Quotes:

• "We do not want any excessive force. Only the force necessary will be used in this operation."
  — Toby Roach [15:59]

• "You might have been arrested that day because you didn't answer a summons for a parking ticket. It could have been me."
  — Alan Goldberg [26:37]

• "It's very safe for the public. I think it's the safest way to get dangerous criminals off the street."
  — Stanley Morris [26:13]

• "Operation Flagship arrested nearly 100 people at a fairly inexpensive way without any injury. And those people, if we hadn't run, it would still be out on the street."
  — Toby Roach [24:43]

Production Credits:

• Creators: Lauren Spohr and Phoebe Judge
• Senior Producer: Nadia Wilson
• Supervising Producer: Katie Bishop
• Producers: Susannah Roberson, Jackie Sajiko, Lily Clark, Lena Sillason, Megan Kinane
• Episode Producer: Sam Kim
• Mixed and Engineered By: Veronica Simonetti
• Fact Checking: Michelle Harris and Julia Harrison
• Illustrations: Julian Alexander
• Credits and Membership Information: thisiscriminal.com

For those interested in exploring more about "Operation Flagship" and other captivating stories, tune into Criminal by Vox Media Podcast Network. Stay updated by subscribing to their newsletter and following them on social media platforms.