Members of the U.S. Marshals — Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) arrested two fugitives in separate cases on Friday, the U.S. Marshals Service said in a release updated October 23: Jayden Lockett, 19, and Stephen Imler, 29.

Source: U.S. Marshals Service — U.S. Marshals Arrest Two Violent Fugitives Today in Northern Ohio (Oct 23, 2026)

Lockett was wanted by the Cleveland Division of Police for aggravated murder, the Marshals said. On September 29, Cleveland's 5th District officers responded to a shots-fired call near the 1000 block of East 68th Street and found Cleveland EMS and Fire already aiding two men who had been shot while occupying a vehicle on East 55th Street. A 22-year-old man who suffered two gunshot wounds to the head later died at the hospital, and a 21-year-old man shot in the leg was treated and released, the Marshals said. Task-force members arrested Lockett at an address in the 5600 block of Hege Avenue in Cleveland, and a firearm was also seized during the arrest.

FOX 8 (WJW) in Cleveland, listed in NewsLocker's Cleveland coverage, also reported the task force's two arrests on Friday in two separate cases, matching the Marshals Service account.

Source: FOX 8 WJW via NewsLocker — US Marshals arrest 2 fugitives in Northeast Ohio (Oct 23, 2026)

19Age of Jayden Lockett, arrested in Cleveland on an aggravated-murder warrant
Sept 29Date of the East 55th Street shooting described by the Marshals
29Age of Stephen Imler, arrested in Norton on Stark County warrants
2Separate fugitive cases closed by the task force on Friday, per USMS

Imler, who had been Northwest High School's band director and music teacher, was wanted by the Stark County Sheriff's Office for three counts of sexual battery and two counts of grooming, the Marshals said. He was placed on administrative leave on August 18 following allegations and a police investigation, resigned on September 2, and was later charged, according to the release. Task-force members arrested him at an address in the 4600 block of Hametown Road in Norton. The release gives no details about any alleged victim, and none are reported here.

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott said the task force works tirelessly to arrest the most dangerous fugitives, in the Marshals' words, who prey on communities. Anyone with information about a wanted fugitive can contact the task force at 1-866-4WANTED, the release said. The warrants against Lockett and Imler are allegations; both men are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and their cases will proceed in court.