Fire Extinguished and Fugitive Arrested After a Full Day Barricaded in Akron Home
Akron, OH / February 04, 2026 – Members of the U.S. Marshals led Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) have arrested Tristan Dent, 35. Dent was wanted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the U.S. Marshals Service for federal drug crimes. Charges include conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and the use of a communications facility to facilitate a felony drug offense. Dent was indicted with approximately a dozen others in January 2023 for these charges and he was the only outstanding fugitive on the case.
Early this morning, members of the NOVFTF attempted to arrest Dent at a home in the 200 block of Kenilworth Ave. in Akron. During the search of the home members of the NOVFTF requested assistance from the Akron Police Department’s SWAT Team due to the suspect being barricaded in the home. While the Akron SWAT Team was attempting to establish communications and compel Dent to surrender, the second level of the home caught fire and Akron Fire Department responded to the area.
After many hours, Akron Fire Department was able to control the fire enough so officers could search the home. After a thorough search of the home Dent was found hiding behind a false wall, behind a dryer in the basement of the home. He was taken into custody without further incident.
U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “Our team is very thankful for the assistance from the Akron Police and Fire Departments today. The safety of our teams and the community is paramount. This is the third investigation closed this week by the NOVFTF for fugitives wanted for over a year, and this should be yet another reminder that the U.S. Marshals Service will not stop until their fugitive is caught.”
Anyone with information concerning a wanted fugitive can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833), or you can submit a web tip. Reward money is available, and tipsters may remain anonymous. Follow the U.S. Marshals on Twitter @USMSCleveland.
The NOVFTF Akron Division consists of the following federal, state and local agencies: the United States Marshals Service, Akron Police Department, Barberton Police Department, Bath Township Police Department, Copley Township Police Department, Cuyahoga Falls Police Department, Fairlawn Police Department, Hudson Police Department, Kent Police Department, New Franklin Police Department, Norton Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Portage County Sheriff’s Office, Reminderville Police Department, Tallmadge Police Department, United States Secret Service, University of Akron Police Department, Wayne County Court of Common Pleas.
Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at https://www.usmarshals.gov.
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Source: U.S. Marshals Service (usmarshals.gov)
