US Marshals: Violent Indiana Fugitive Taking Refuge in El Paso
Richard Allen Cope, 40, of Indiana, was taken into custody last night by members of the U.S. Marshals Service led Lone Star Fugitive Task Force (LSFTF) at a residence at the 500 block of E. Nevada. Cope was wanted by La Porte County, Indiana for one felony count of Torturing an Animal, Cruelty to an Animal and two counts of Neglect of an Animal.
In December 2015, Cope allegedly duct taped his dogs muzzle shut and kicked it several times, breaking both hips. Cope then threw the dog in the trash and posted a video to social media depicting his abuse of the dog. The posted video gained notoriety on social media and led to La Porte County authorities opening a criminal investigation into Cope’s actions. During the course of their investigation, La Porte County Investigators determined that Cope had an extensive and very violent criminal history.
On January 2016, the U.S. Marshals Service led Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force (GLRFTF) initiated an investigation into Cope’s whereabouts. Investigative efforts led GLRFTF investigators to believe that Cope had fled Michigan City, Indiana and was in or around the El Paso area. GLRFTF investigators reached out to the LSFTF in El Paso and requested assistance with locating Cope. Investigators with the LSFTF collaborated with investigators from the GLRFTF and were relentless in their efforts to locate Cope. Due to Cope’s propensity for violence Cope’s case was made a priority.
On January 31, after an exhaustive search and investigation, investigators with the LSFTF confirmed Cope was at a residence on the 500 block of E. Nevada. Shortly after 7:00 pm investigators approached the residence and took Cope into custody without incident. Cope was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility on a charge of Fugitive from Justice with a $10,000 cash bond and is pending extradition to Indiana.
Robert R. Almonte, United States Marshal for the Western District of Texas, states, “This fugitive has displayed and continues to display a wanton disregard for the laws of the State. The collaborative efforts of our Fugitive Task Forces and member agencies proved to be overwhelming for Mr. Cope. I am grateful to the Investigators for their hard work and dedication which resulted in Cope’s apprehension. “
Members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force: El Paso Police Department, El Paso Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, United States Border Patrol, Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Office of the Inspector General, Texas Department of Public Safety, El Paso District Attorney’s Office and the United States Marshals Service.
