MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX- Operation Heat Wave was launched after a review revealed a significant number of outstanding felony warrants in the region. In response, Conroe Police Chief Jon C. Buckholtz reached out to the U.S. Marshals Service, leading to a large-scale joint operation that united multiple agencies to locate and arrest fugitives.
On July 16, in preparation for the initiative, Conroe Police Officers and Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies were deputized by the U.S. Marshals to assist. The effort was led by the U.S. Marshals Service – Southern District of Texas and the USMS Gulf Coast Violent Offenders and Fugitive Task Force, with support from numerous partner agencies, including:
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Conroe Police Department
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Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office
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Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
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Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Office of Inspector General (TDCJ-OIG)
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Texas Office of the Attorney General
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Harris County Sheriff’s Office
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Houston Police Department
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Fort Bend County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office
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Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office
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Richmond Police Department
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Harris County Constable’s Offices Precincts 1 and 5
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Pasadena Police Department
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Austin County Sheriff’s Office
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Homeland Security Task Force – Fugitive Investigative Strike Team
Operation Heat Wave took place August 4–8, 2025. Over the five-day effort, investigators achieved the following results:
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71 arrests
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91 felony warrants cleared (91 of 149 CLEARED in 1 week)
Major warrants cleared included:
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14 Blue Warrants
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10 for Possession of Child Pornography
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8 for Assault / Family Violence
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7 for Dangerous Drugs
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6 for Possession of a Controlled Substance
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5 each for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, Aggravated Assault, and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon
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3 each for Fraud, Federal Supervised Release Violation, Indecency with a Child, Stalking, and Larceny
Though mainstream media and many in positions of authority seem more concerned with the rights of criminals than their victims, Chief Jon Buckholtz repeatedly focused on crime victims – saying every victim matters.
“Justice delayed is justice denied; a maxim often repeated throughout the history of criminal justice. Every victim deserves timely justice for the crimes alleged against them, just as every arrested individual deserves a speedy trial before their peers. Safeguarding this balance is the responsibility of every peace officer.”
“This warrant roundup was a tremendous success, exceeding our expectations thanks to the collaborative spirit of interagency cooperation. Many hands make light work, and together we are far stronger than when acting alone. This effort was made possible through the close working relationships we share with leaders such as Sheriff Wesley Doolittle and U.S. Marshal T. Michael O’Connor.”
“The efforts we highlight today are for the victims, period. Each victim deserves closure, and as a society, we have a duty to intervene and stop suspects from continuing to operate without accountability. What we see on paper today represents closure, as these important cases are now entrusted to the justice seekers in each county’s District Attorney’s Office. For us, that means District Attorney Brett Ligon and his talented team, who will now carry this pursuit of justice forward.”
Montgomery County Sheriff Wesley Doolittle highlighted the role agency coordination played in the operation’s success, noting the “value of partnerships”. He also pointed out the hard truth that criminals move back and forth between Harris and Montgomery Counties as they prey upon law-abiding citizens. He said the focus was simply on working the case, and those who abscond would be hunted down.
“I will continue to partner with every agency, and with our District Attorney’s Office to make sure people are held accountable,” Doolittle said.
The words would undoubtedly resonate with the many citizens whose lives have been personally impacted by criminal acts, and especially those who never saw justice and feel forgotten.
Like the Sheriff, District Attorney Ligon spoke of the criminals who cross the invisible county line. He said Montgomery County is sometimes called the “Alamo of Texas”, referring to the traditional conservative values and justice for victims that has been under attack by criminals. The DA said his office will involve the US Marshals and do whatever is necessary to find and extradite violent criminals who try to flee, even if they leave the state. During Operation Heat Wave, one of the fugitive arrests occurred in Georgia.
“If you flee Texas, you’ll be brought back to Texas,” Ligon said. “You’ll be brought back to Montgomery County.”
The DA said he’s committed to bringing fugitives to justice, and has resources at the local, state and federal level that he won’t hesitate to utilize.
Chief Buckholtz said the operation was on the beginning. He said his agency has recently formed a “Crime Reduction Unit” and the Sheriff’s Office has done the same.
The Conroe Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, and all partner agencies thank the U.S. Marshals for their leadership and coordination in making Operation Heat Wave a success.
