The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office participated in a warrant sweep in conjunction with the 14th annual National Family Violence Apprehension Detail.

The initiative took place in the third week of October during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and was intended to arrest people with outstanding warrants for family violence or related crimes that can increase the risk of violence in the home.

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office Fugitive Apprehension Unit worked with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Sarasota Police Department to attempt to serve 40 warrants. Deputies made ten arrests of wanted persons, one of which was a career violent felony offender with 66 prior arrests, and another who is classified as a highly prolific offender with an extensive local history.

"We are extremely proud of the effort that goes into operations such as this one," said Sheriff Tom Knight. "Every citizen contact helps our deputies develop information and utilize the additional intelligence to move cases forward."

Nationally more than 500 law enforcement agencies participate in the warrant sweep to demonstrate to offenders that they will be held accountable for their crimes and help raise awareness of the problem of family and domestic violence in our communities.

Watch a feature video of the operation on the sheriff's office YouTube channel at www.YouTube.com/SarasotaSheriff.