# Why Would the US Marshals Look for You?

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- Published: 2023-11-03
- Author: Lillie Gabler
- Categories: [Tips](https://33rdsquare.com/category/home/tips/)

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The United States Marshals Service (USMS) serves as the enforcement arm of the federal courts and plays a lead role in major federal law enforcement initiatives nationwide. As the oldest American federal law enforcement agency, dating back to 1789, the US Marshals have a remarkably wide range of responsibilities. This means there are many reasons they may try to find and apprehend you.

## A Closer Look at the US Marshals Service

The USMS is responsible for:

- Locating and apprehending federal fugitives – In 2021 alone, they arrested over 90,000 federal fugitives.
- Safeguarding the federal judicial process – They protect an estimated 2,700 federal judges and thousands of prosecutors and court officials.
- Transporting all federal prisoners from arrest to incarceration – Approximately 300,000 federal prisoners annually.
- Seizing assets ordered forfeited by the courts – With an estimated value of over $2.4 billion in 2021.
- Securing protected government witnesses through the Witness Security Program – Providing protection to over 18,500 witnesses since the program began in 1971.

With 94 district offices nationwide and over 3,700 Deputy Marshals, they have the resources and capabilities to pursue investigations and make arrests across the entire country.

## You Have an Active Federal Arrest Warrant

One of the primary reasons the Marshals may look for you is if there is a federal arrest warrant out for you. The USMS is the lead federal agency responsible for fugitive investigations and apprehensions.

Here are some examples of situations where they would execute a federal warrant:

- **You failed to appear for a federal court proceeding** – Such as skipping a hearing after being released on bail or bond. Over 31,000 federal warrants were issued for failure to appear in 2021.
- **You escaped from federal custody** – The USMS had custody over around 61,000 federal prisoners in 2021. Escapes are taken very seriously.
- **You failed to self-surrender after being convicted of a federal crime** – It‘s common to allow convicted defendants a period of time to get affairs in order before reporting to prison. Absconding during this time will trigger a warrant.
- **You violated probation or supervised release** – Federal warrants are issued for those who violate terms of their probation or supervised release after a conviction.
- **You were indicted for a federal crime** – If a grand jury returns an indictment against you, a warrant will be issued so Marshals can take you into custody for prosecution.
- **Another federal agency wants you arrested** – Agencies like the FBI can request the USMS execute warrants related to crimes they are investigating.

The USMS has broad capabilities to track down federal fugitives across jurisdictions through regional and district Fugitive Task Forces. Advanced data analysis helps identify leads.

## You Must Be Transported to Federal Custody

The US Marshals maintain custody of all federal prisoners from the time they enter the federal system until they are either acquitted or incarcerated. So the USMS may look for you if:

- You need to be relocated from a state facility to a federal detention center.
- You must be transported from a district court to a designated federal prison facility after sentencing.
- You escaped from federal custody while awaiting trial or before reporting to federal prison.

On average, the USMS transports around 300,000 federal prisoners per year. Their Prisoner Operations Division coordinates all needed movement securely and efficiently.

## You Pose a Threat to the Federal Judicial Process

As part of their role in securing the federal judicial system, the US Marshals may initiate efforts to locate you if you pose a threat to judges, prosecutors, court officials, witnesses or jurors. For example:

- You made threats against a judge, attorney or other protected person.
- You violated restraining orders or other court orders intended to protect officials.
- You tried to influence or tamper with a jury member.
- You attempted to intimidate witnesses scheduled to testify.
- You tried to evade custody during a federal judicial proceeding.

In 2021, the USMS investigated over 1,100 inappropriate communications and threats, and provided protection to over 6,500 threatened officials and family members. Their specialized expertise in judicial security makes them well-equipped to assess and respond to threats.

## You Owe Fines, Fees or Property Ordered Forfeited

The USMS carries out orders to seize assets and property arising from federal criminal investigations and proceedings. So they may initiate attempts to locate you if:

- A court declared your assets or property subject to criminal or civil forfeiture due to involvement in criminal activity.
- You were ordered to pay fines, restitutions or other financial penalties related to a conviction.
- You failed to pay significant back taxes owed to the IRS.

| Year | Assets Seized by USMS |
| --- | --- |
| 2019 | Over $1.5 billion |
| 2020 | Over $1.8 billion |
| 2021 | Over $2.4 billion |

Once located, the USMS will seize identified assets or garnish wages as directed by the courts. Their financial investigation capabilities are extensive.

## You Are a Witness Needing Protection

As administrators of the Witness Security Program, the US Marshals may try to find you if:

- You are a witness in significant federal case who needs protection due to threats or danger.
- You are an individual posing a threat to someone in the Witness Security Program.

The USMS provides protection and relocation support to witnesses whose testimony is crucial to major federal investigations and cases. Since the program began in 1971, over 18,500 witnesses and family members have received assistance. Their experience makes them uniquely qualified to securely handle high-risk witness situations.

## Other Reasons You May Be Sought

Beyond fugitives and court orders, other reasons the USMS may look for you include:

- You are needed as a material witness in an active federal case.
- Evidence indicates you likely committed a federal crime or violation.
- Your presence is legally compelled for federal civil proceedings.
- You ignored a federal subpoena or summons.
- You made concerning threats against a government official.

Bottom line – if federal authorities need to find you related to an investigation, case or legal requirement, the US Marshals can utilize their specialized capabilities to track you down.

## Unique Legal Powers of US Marshals

The legal powers granted to US Marshals enhance their ability to pursue and apprehend persons of interest:

- **Nationwide jurisdiction** – Can exercise authority across all 94 federal judicial districts.
- **Federal fugitive investigations** – No warrant needed if enforcing a valid federal court order.
- **Arrest based on probable cause** – For federal offenses, no warrant is required if probable cause exists.
- **Cross-district warrants and operations** – Can obtain and execute warrants anywhere in the country.
- **Task force authority** – Officers on joint task forces can arrest outside their jurisdiction.

So compared to local police, the USMS can more swiftly track down individuals they have legal cause to find and detain.

## How US Marshals Differ from Local Police

While local police react to crimes and enforce laws primarily in their municipality or county, US Marshals proactively investigate federal offenses across the whole country.

Some key differences:

- **Jurisdiction** – Can investigate leads and make arrests nationwide vs limited locality.
- **Responsibilities** – Focus on federal laws/fugitives vs enforcing local criminal codes.
- **Resources** – Access cutting-edge investigative resources and databases.
- **Experience** – Specialized expertise with fugitives, prisoners, court security, witness protection.
- **Authority** – Can adopt local fugitive cases that may have a federal aspect.

So the USMS brings far-reaching capabilities compared to local agencies when tasked with finding someone.

## How US Marshals Compare to the FBI

Like the Marshals, the FBI pursues fugitives and handles investigations related to violations of federal law. However, the FBI is primarily a threat-based, intelligence-driven agency focused on counterterrorism, cybercrime, public corruption and other national security matters.

The USMS has niche expertise in:

- Tracking, arresting and transporting fugitives.
- Protecting judges, court personnel and the judicial process.
- Seizing property and assets ordered by federal courts.
- Administering witness protection logistics and security.

So while the FBI and USMS collaborate often, the US Marshals take the primary role in fugitive investigations and supporting operations of the federal courts.

## Understanding When US Marshals May Target You

In summary, the specialized role of the US Marshals Service in upholding federal law means there are many situations where they may look to find and apprehend you. As the enforcement arm of the courts, they have unique capabilities and authority that enhance their ability to locate persons of interest quickly across jurisdictions when needed for federal proceedings or matters of national security. While they do not actively monitor the general public, understanding their role can help you remain aware of what may draw their attention.

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Source: [Why Would the US Marshals Look for You?](https://33rdsquare.com/why-would-the-us-marshals-look-for-you/)