Indiana Fugitive Taken into Custody in Harlan County in Multi-Agency Operation

From the US Marshal Service -

John Madden

On Thursday, February 12, 2026, at approximately 8:00am, the United States Marshals Service (USMS) Eastern District of Kentucky (E/KY) Central Kentucky Fugitive Task Force (CKFTF) London & Lexington Offices, along with Harlan County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), Kentucky State Police (KSP) –  Post 10 (Harlan), Bell County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), KSP Drug Enforcement & Special Investigations (DESI) Unit, Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (A - HIDTA) Task Force, KY Army National Guard Counter Drug Ground Recon Team (GRT), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), executed a federal search warrant in reference to a federal arrest warrant in the area of Baxter, KY.

As a result of the search warrant, persons of interest were detained and a criminal investigation is on-going at this time.

Later that same day at approximately 11:00am, the United States Marshals Service (USMS) Eastern District of Kentucky (E/KY) Central Kentucky Fugitive Task Force (CKFTF) London & Lexington Offices, along with Harlan County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), Evarts Police Department (EPD), Bell County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), conducted an enforcement operation as a result of fugitive investigation on the 90 block of Madden Lane in Evarts, KY.

As a result of that operation, 50-year-old John Paul Madden, was taken into custody without incident. Madden was wanted by the Fulton County Indiana Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) in Indiana for a Failure To Appear (FTA) warrant in reference to original charges of Possession of Methamphetamine – Between 10 and 28 Grams, and Trafficking in Marijuana – Over 10 Pounds.

John Madden was transported to Harlan County Detention Center (HCDC), where he awaits extradition to Fulton County, Indiana.