DES MOINES — Federal fugitive hunters joined Iowa law enforcement officers for an aggressive four-day sweep that put 61 wanted suspects behind bars and cleared 97 felony arrest warrants.
The U.S. Marshals Service Southern Iowa Fugitive Task Force began planning and identifying targets for “Operation Heatwave” on June 29, 2026. Teams then fanned out across central Iowa from July 21 through July 24.
The operation focused on violent offenders and alleged gang members wanted in connection with crimes including homicide, robbery, sexual assault, aggravated assault, weapons violations and other serious felonies.
Authorities also seized three firearms and several pounds of narcotics believed to have been intended for distribution.
Among the most notable arrests:
Alfred Pyne, 18, was arrested July 21 in Urbandale on charges of intimidation with a dangerous weapon and reckless use of a firearm. The charges stem from gunfire during Urbandale’s Fourth of July celebration at Lions Park. No injuries were reported in that shooting.
Kristopher Keys, 28, was arrested July 21 in Des Moines on warrants accusing him of possessing a controlled substance, possessing or controlling a firearm as a felon and tampering with a witness.
Jacob Kerr, 26, was arrested July 21 in West Des Moines on a Polk County probation violation warrant connected to previous convictions for possessing a firearm or offensive weapon as a felon and operating while intoxicated.
Kerr was also wanted in Dallas County for an alleged probation violation tied to an earlier conviction for pimping or procuring for prostitution.
Jejuan Tyree Lyke, 30, was captured July 23 in Des Moines on an Iowa Department of Corrections parole violation warrant. His previous convictions included third-degree kidnapping, intimidation with a dangerous weapon and willful injury causing bodily injury.
Lyke was also wanted by Pleasant Hill police on warrants accusing him of distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl.
Chad Smith, 44, was arrested July 24 in Des Moines on a warrant charging him with second-degree sexual abuse. Smith had been a highly publicized fugitive since the alleged 2024 sexual assault of a juvenile girl.
Authorities said an Iowa State Patrol K9 found Smith hiding inside a specially constructed void designed to conceal him.
“Operation Heatwave demonstrates what can be accomplished when federal, state, and local law enforcement work together,” Southern District of Iowa U.S. Marshal Ted Kamatchus said.
Kamatchus said locating and capturing dangerous offenders remains one of the Marshals Service’s highest priorities.
The USDA Office of Inspector General said its investigators helped identify and arrest 12 violent fugitives during the sweep. Inspector General John Walk said the operation demonstrated that federal authorities would pursue fugitives accused of exploiting taxpayer-funded programs.
The operation involved the Polk and Dallas county sheriff’s offices, Fifth Judicial District Probation and Parole, Des Moines Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Iowa State Patrol, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Ames Police Department, Ottumwa Police Department, Coralville Police Department, USDA Office of Inspector General and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
U.S. Marshals fugitive task forces combine federal, state and local law enforcement resources to locate dangerous fugitives, capture wanted sex offenders and serve outstanding warrants.
The Marshals Service reported arresting 73,323 fugitives and clearing 87,984 warrants nationwide during 2025 — an average of approximately 293 fugitive arrests per day.
An Iowa immigrant advocacy organization has called for authorities to release the identities, charges and arrest locations of everyone captured during Operation Heatwave. The request followed a heavily armed July 23 traffic stop in Iowa City that the group characterized as dangerous. Authorities have not confirmed that the Iowa City arrest was part of Operation Heatwave.
No operation-specific public response had been issued as of Friday afternoon by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, Attorney General Brenna Bird or U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst.
All suspects facing unresolved criminal charges are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.