Memphis – A fifteen month run from the law ended last night in Memphis for a Baton Rouge murder suspect. Donovan “Dino” Springer has been wanted by the Baton Rouge Police Department since a July 28, 2007 incident that left one victim dead and another wounded.

Donovan “Dino” Springer

The Middle Louisiana Fugitive Task Force (MLFTF) had been actively searching for Springer, even placing his profile on the US Marshals, America’s Most Wanted, and Crime Stoppers websites, but unfortunately missed him several times. Investigators obtained information that Springer was living in the Memphis area and was using several aliases to avoid being captured. The MLFTF requested the assistance of the US Marshals Mid-South Fugitive Task Force based in Memphis to track down and arrest Springer.

The Mid-South Fugitive Task Force (MSFTF) began an intensive investigation to locate Springer. The search heated up a few weeks ago when MSFTF members learned that Springer was using the name of “Joseph Nelson” and obtained a Tennessee driver’s license. During the investigation, the Task Force learned that Springer had taken his girlfriend’s two small children and was in the process of leaving Tennessee. MSFTF members recovered the children unharmed and turned them over to State Child Protective Services. Springer was arrested Tuesday night as MSFTF members found him hiding in the bedroom closet of an associate’s home in Memphis.

“The MSFTF spent over 200 plus investigative hours tracking Springer” said U.S. Marshal David Jolley. “Tennessee will not be a “safe haven” for wanted fugitives, and this capture should send a clear message to all fugitives who think so.”

The Mid South Fugitive Task Force is a multi-law enforcement agency task force comprised of Deputy United States Marshals, Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies, Memphis Police Officers and Tennessee State Probation and focuses on locating and apprehending violent offenders and sexual predators. For more information about the US Marshals Service, visit www.usmarshals.gov.

CONTACT:

Western District of Tennessee
Lamont Ruffin, Deputy U.S. Marshal (Memphis)
District Public Affairs Officer
(901) 544-0479