Stuff You Should Know: Episode Summary – "D'oh! Operation Flagship"

Release Date: February 13, 2025
Hosts: Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant
Production: iHeartPodcasts

Introduction to Operation Flagship

In the "D'oh! Operation Flagship" episode of Stuff You Should Know, hosts Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant delve into one of the most audacious and cutesy law enforcement operations in U.S. history: Operation Flagship. This episode explores the intricacies of the U.S. Marshals Service's creative sting operations aimed at capturing fugitives during the mid-1980s.

The U.S. Marshals Service: A Historical Overview

Josh begins by providing a comprehensive background of the U.S. Marshals Service, highlighting its founding in 1789 and its evolution over centuries. From escorting students into segregated schools and enforcing Prohibition to operating the U.S. Census, the Marshals have played diverse roles in American law enforcement.

[02:36] Chuck Bryant: "Just give them a bunch of pencils."

This quote underscores the humorous notion of assigning seemingly trivial tasks to a robust law enforcement body.

Previous Sting Operations by the U.S. Marshals

Before Operation Flagship, the U.S. Marshals Service had already experimented with unconventional sting operations:

1. Mr. Zip: Marshals dressed as mail carriers would deliver fake packages declaring recipients under arrest.

   [05:22] Chuck Bryant: "They’re gonna use their FIST to get you right up your bum."

2. Puno Airlines: A mock airline offering free trips to the Bahamas, enticing fugitives to come forward and get arrested discreetly.

   [07:06] Josh Clark: "Do you think anybody would ever name their airline Fist Airline?"

3. Prior Offenders Employment Opportunity Program: Advertised fake job opportunities to lure fugitives seeking employment reinstatement.

   [10:07] Chuck Bryant: "You might think it's mean to say you've won tickets to the Bahamas, but it’s really mean for someone to want to start their life over and get a regular job."

These operations were characterized by their humorous acronyms and playful deception, aiming to capture multiple fugitives simultaneously in cost-effective and safe manners.

Operation Flagship: Planning and Preparation

Operation Flagship stands out as the pinnacle of these creative stings. Conceived by Howard Safir, then-head of enforcement operations, and Robert Leshorn, the operation aimed to capture a significant number of high-profile fugitives through an elaborate ruse involving free football tickets.

[16:46] Chuck Bryant: "That's right. As a matter of fact, we should probably just stop after this one, because no scam in the history of law enforcement has ever been greater than this one."

Key Planning Elements:

• Fake TV Station: They created "Flagship International Sports Television" (FIST), complete with spoof management names like IM Detnaw ("I am wanted" spelled backwards) and Marcus Cran ("narc" spelled backwards).

  [21:15] Chuck Bryant: "You can see this whole thing play out. It’s incredible. But it looks like a room staffed with 166 cops dressed up as different things."

• Grand Prize: Offering free Washington Redskins (now Washington Commanders) game tickets and a chance to win Super Bowl tickets to entice fugitives.

• Rehearsals: The operation was meticulously rehearsed three times to ensure smooth execution, involving 166 law enforcement agents disguised in various roles, including cheerleaders and limo drivers.

Execution of Operation Flagship

On December 15, 1985, the Washington Convention Center was transformed into a glamorous event space where fugitives believed they had won free tickets to a coveted football game. The atmosphere was festive, with music, balloons, and Marshals disguised as event staff greeting attendees.

Event Highlights:

• Cheerleaders as Marshals: Marshals dressed as cheerleaders greeted fugitives with hugs and pat-downs without revealing their true identities.

  [33:27] Josh Clark: "So what they would do is the cheerleaders would hug you as you were coming in. Would not accept kisses, it turns out, but they would hug you, pat you down..."

• Sting Phase: Fugitives were escorted to separate conference rooms where they were presented with their "winnings." Once confirmed as wanted, they received name tags indicating their status and were swiftly arrested by the concealed SWAT-style Marshals.

  [38:34] Josh Clark: "I have to say something really quickly. ... within seconds of reading that part, it reaches the part in the Beach Boys album where they say, you're under arrest."

• Media Presence: The event was covered by major media outlets like the LA Times, CBS News, and the Washington Post, amplifying the Marshals' success and public perception.

Aftermath and Impact

Operation Flagship resulted in the arrest of approximately 1,600 fugitives, making it the largest fugitive roundup in American history at the time. The operation was lauded for its efficiency and creativity, operating at a cost significantly lower than traditional methods.

[42:22] Chuck Bryant: "But if you do the math on 101 arrest, it cost them $22,100 to pull this off. That breaks down to just $218 if they got 101 arrests."

However, subsequent investigations revealed critical flaws:

• Misidentification: The Marshals mistakenly arrested Charles Watkins Sr. instead of his son, the actual fugitive, highlighting significant oversight.

• Ethical Concerns: Many of those arrested were low-level offenders or cleared due to minor violations, raising questions about the ethical implications of such mass arrests based on deceptive tactics.

[46:08] Chuck Bryant: "Yeah, I mean, it was mainly misdemeanor offenders, a lot of parole violations. There were six traffic offenses in there."

Legacy of Operation Flagship

Despite its controversies, Operation Flagship remains a noteworthy example of innovative law enforcement tactics. It influenced subsequent operations and has been referenced in popular culture, including episodes of The Simpsons and movies like Sea of Love. The operation's depiction in an NFL Films documentary has cemented its place in law enforcement lore, albeit with ongoing debates about its effectiveness and morality.

[48:35] Chuck Bryant: "Yeah, yeah. That was copped directly from this."

Cultural References and Listener Interactions

The hosts also touch upon cultural elements inspired by Operation Flagship, such as its portrayal in media and its influence on fictional sting operations in television and film. Additionally, they engage with listeners through shout-outs and discuss related topics like law enforcement in popular culture and the humorous aspects of mimicking such operations.

[51:43] Chuck Bryant: "I love stuff like that."

Conclusion

"D'oh! Operation Flagship" provides an in-depth exploration of one of the most unconventional law enforcement operations in U.S. history. Through engaging storytelling and insightful analysis, Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant shed light on the successes, failures, and enduring legacy of Operation Flagship, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of its place in law enforcement and popular culture.

Notable Quotes:

• Chuck Bryant [00:26]: "If you're a criminal and you ever think something might be shady and it might be a sting operation, just look at any name that they've given you and read it backwards..."

• Chuck Bryant [05:22]: "They’re gonna use their FIST to get you right up your bum."

• Chuck Bryant [16:46]: "That's right. As a matter of fact, we should probably just stop after this one, because no scam in the history of law enforcement has ever been greater than this one."

• Chuck Bryant [38:34]: "I have to say something really quickly. ... within seconds of reading that part, it reaches the part in the Beach Boys album where they say, you're under arrest."

• Chuck Bryant [42:22]: "But if you do the math on 101 arrest, it cost them $22,100 to pull this off. That breaks down to just $218 if they got 101 arrests."

• Chuck Bryant [51:43]: "I love stuff like that."

For more engaging insights and detailed explorations of fascinating topics, tune into Stuff You Should Know on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred podcast platform.