Q. What is the U.S. Marshals Service?
A. As the nation’s oldest federal law enforcement agency, the U.S. Marshals Service was created by the first Congress in 1789 when it created the judicial system. While marshals and deputies may trigger images of the Wild West for many Americans, the modern day Marshals Service is busy policing a new frontier that includes espionage, cyber crime and drug trafficking. Today the agency performs key functions in our nation’s judicial and law enforcement systems. In keeping with its original mission to enforce the law and execute the orders of the court, the Marshals Service is responsible for providing support and protection for the federal courts; apprehending federal fugitives; operating the federal witness security program; maintaining custody of and transporting thousands of federal prisoners annually; executing arrest warrants; managing and selling seized property forfeited to the government by drug traffickers and other criminals; assisting the Justice Department's asset forfeiture program; and responding to emergency circumstances and restoring order in riot and mob-violence situations.
Q. How large is the U.S. Marshal Service?
A. With 94 U.S. Marshals and 4,000 Deputy Marshals and other career employees, this federal law enforcement agency is spread out in more than 350 locations throughout the 50 states, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Iowa’s judicial districts are split into Northern and Southern units with an appointed U.S. Marshal in each. Although many of its duties are performed behind the scenes and out of the public spotlight, the agency serves a role in every federal law enforcement initiative undertaken. Perhaps its most well known responsibility is apprehending federal fugitives. The agency’s web site maintains a list of its 15 Most Wanted Fugitives at www.doj.gov/marshal.
Iowa is in store to have two new U.S. Marshals appointed to replace Dennis Blome in the northern district and Phylliss Henry in the southern district at some point early in the new Bush administration. However, I have urged President Bush not to rush ahead and dismiss the sitting marshals in Iowa like his predecessor had done in 1993. It would be wrong to create an unnecessary vacancy right off the bat. For those Iowans who are interested in the opportunity to serve as a U.S. Marshal, I encourage you to contact my office in writing c/o Sen. Chuck Grassley, 135 Hart Senate Building, Washington, D.C. 20510-1501. I plan to recommend three Iowans for each position to the new administration.