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Go to Fugitive Investigations for
more information, as well as current fugitives.
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The Marshals Service is the federal
government’s primary agency for conducting investigations involving:
escaped federal prisoners; probation, parole and bond violators; and
fugitives based on warrants generated during drug investigations. The
Marshals Service is the custodian of all federal arrest warrants until
execution or dismissal, and for more than 20 years the agency has
specialized in apprehending fugitives. In fiscal 2004, the Marshals
Service apprehended more than 36,000 federal fugitives, clearing 39,000
federal felony warrants. This is more than all other law enforcement
agencies combined. Working with authorities at federal, state and local
levels, Marshals Service-led fugitive task forces arrested an additional
31,600 state and local fugitive felons, clearing 37,900 state and local
felony warrants.
Domestic Investigations
"15 Most Wanted" Fugitive Program
The Marshals Service established the 15 Most Wanted Fugitive Program in
1983 to prioritize the investigation and apprehension of some of the
country’s most dangerous and high-profile fugitives. These offenders
tend to be career criminals with histories of violence, and they pose a
significant threat to public safety. Current and past 15 Most Wanted
fugitives include murderers, sex offenders, major drug kingpins,
organized crime figures and individuals wanted for high-profile
financial crimes. They are generally considered the “worst of the
worst.” Cases may be drawn from: Marshals Service primary jurisdiction
cases; cases sent to a Marshals Service fugitive task force by another
federal agency; state/local cases that have been adopted by Marshals
Service task forces; or cases referred to the National Center for
Missing and Exploited Children. Since the program began, 175 of the 15
Most Wanted fugitives have been arrested. In fiscal 2004, the Marshals
Service captured 10 of them.
Major Case Fugitive Program
To supplement the 15 Most Wanted Fugitive Program, the Marshals Service
established the Major Case Fugitive Program in 1985. Major cases garner
a stronger focus within the agency and receive more resources from
Marshals Service headquarters than do regular cases.
District Fugitive Task Forces
The Marshals Service has a long history of
providing assistance and expertise to other federal, state and local law
enforcement agencies in support of their fugitive investigations. The
Marshals Service currently leads 83 full-time district fugitive task
forces across the country. In addition, the agency leads ad-hoc fugitive
task forces which operate in response to a targeted group of fugitives
or a specific case — such as when an inmate escapes from prison.
District fugitive task forces are the
backbone of the Marshals Service fugitive apprehension efforts.
Combining the resources of Marshals Service district offices with other
federal, state and local agencies, these task forces provide an
extremely effective network of investigators dedicated to catching
fugitives. The success of the district task forces, which began more
than 20 years ago, paved the way for Congress to fund five regional
fugitive task forces.
Regional Fugitive Task Forces
The Presidential Threat Protection Act of
2000 (Pub. L. No. 106-544) established permanent fugitive apprehension
task forces consisting of federal, state and local law enforcement
authorities in designated regions of the United States “to be directed
and coordinated by the United States Marshals Service.” The purpose of
these regional fugitive task forces (RFTFs) is to combine the efforts of
federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate and arrest
the most dangerous fugitives and to serve as the focal point for
information sharing concerning fugitive matters. The Marshals Service
currently operates five RFTFs — New York/New Jersey, Pacific Southwest,
Great Lakes, Southeast and Capital Area. These task forces have
significantly enhanced the Marshals Service’s fugitive apprehension
program. In fiscal 2004, RFTFs closed nearly 14,000 felony warrants by
arrest,
including 587 warrants for homicide.
Domestic Investigations Branch
The Domestic Investigations Branch of the
Marshals Service’s Investigative Services Division develops, manages and
oversees programs related to domestic fugitive investigations. One such
program is the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force — OCDETF
— created to identify, investigate and prosecute high level money
laundering and narcotics organizations. Another program is HIDTA — High
Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas — aimed at reducing drug-related crimes
and violence in designated locations. The Marshals Service also
participates in Project Safe Neighborhoods and takes part in Violent
Crime Impact Teams — companion initiatives aimed at reducing gun
violence. The Marshals Service has numerous, formal agreements whereby
it goes after other agencies’ fugitives, and it works with the National
Center for Missing and Exploited Children to locate and arrest fugitives
wanted for crimes against children. The Marshals Service also combats
gang violence by prioritizing investigations of violent fugitives with
ties to gangs. In support of the agency’s fugitive mission, the Domestic
Investigations Branch oversees liaison activities with the El Paso
(Texas) Intelligence Center and is developing new programs such as the
Financial Surveillance Unit, which tracks fugitives through financial
means.
International Investigations Branch
The Marshals Service is responsible for tracking fugitives who flee the
territorial boundaries of the United States, and the agency has also
been designated by the Department of Justice to locate and apprehend
fugitives wanted by foreign nations who are believed to be in the United
States. The Marshals Service has the statutory responsibility to
extradite international and foreign fugitives after they are captured.
In fiscal 2004, the Marshals Service successfully completed a record 541
extraditions from 56 different countries. The Marshals Service has
established foreign field offices in Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican
Republic. The Marshals Service has also established a law enforcement
liaison program along the borders of Mexico and Canada. In support of
international fugitive investigations, Marshals Service chief inspectors
currently serve as assistant directors for the alien/fugitive units at
Interpol headquarters in Lyon, France, and Interpol’s United States
National Central Bureau (USNCB) in Washington, D.C. For the first time
in history, a senior manager from the Marshals Service serves as the
director of the USNCB. Also, a Marshals Service chief inspector serves
as a liaison at the Department of Justice’s Office of International
Affairs. To further extend its investigative reach to foreign locations,
the Marshals Service provides special deputations to approximately 400
regional security officers with the Department of State’s Diplomatic
Security Service (DSS). These officers serve at embassies and consulates
around the world. To facilitate worldwide coordination, the Department
of State has assigned an agent from the DSS to the Marshals Service’s
International Investigations Branch.
Analytical Support Unit
The Analytical Support Unit is a team of
analysts that provides tactical and strategic expertise to Marshals
Service operations. The unit evaluates all reported inappropriate
communications and threats to federal judicial employees. It researches
and analyzes information during fugitive investigations and oversees
special information systems used by the Marshals Service, including the
Warrant Information Network — the agency’s central, law enforcement
information system.
Technical Operations Group (TOG)
Electronic Surveillance Unit
The Electronic Surveillance Unit (ESU) provides covert investigative and
intelligence support for the Marshals Service’s major cases and 15
Most Wanted fugitive investigations. In addition, ESU provides
assistance when requested by other federal, state and local law
enforcement agencies to solve complex criminal investigations or crimes
of violence. ESU achieves a very successful case clearance rate by
deploying some of the most sophisticated technologies available. ESU
members: help prepare court orders; serve as expert witnesses in the
field of electronic surveillance; and train law enforcement personnel
from the United States
and the international law enforcement community in the use of electronic
surveillance. ESU maintains a central monitoring facility and electronic
surveillance operation centers, with field offices throughout the United
States.
Aviation Support Unit
The TOG Aviation Support Unit provides aerial surveillance, electronic
tracking and other aerial platform functions in support of Marshals
Service operations. TOG aircraft provide vital intelligence during the
investigation, arrest and prosecution of some of the country’s most
dangerous fugitives.
Tactical Support Unit
The Tactical Support Unit provides support
to Marshals Service districts, task forces, fugitive investigations,
prisoner operations, special operations and judicial security/witness
security details. It also provides force protection measures during
Marshals Service missions — including covert audio, video, alarms and
sensors, as well as other techniques and applications necessary to
protect Marshals Service personnel and protectees. The unit includes the
Operational Wireless Communications Support (OWCS) Group, which provides
digital, narrowband, encrypted wireless communications in support of
Marshals Service operations. OWCS maintains a cache of radio and
satellite communications equipment as well as tactical repeaters, base
stations, portable tower trailers and other specialized gear. The
Tactical Support Unit also has personnel trained to conduct technical
surveillance countermeasures — which protect government property and
sensitive information as well as identify technical surveillance devices
and hazards.
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