In the Know: When do U.S. Marshals get involved in local cases?

8-21-2012 Florida:

Q: I am curious as to how the U.S. Marshals get involved in local murder cases. In the recent murder of a San Carlos woman, it was the U.S. Marshals who caught up to one of the suspects in Fort Myers. Does the local sheriff call for their help? What are the criteria for them to get involved. I was under the impression U.S. Marshals were involved in federal crimes and witness protection.

A: Despite many popular culture depictions of deputy U.S. marshals – such as Matt Dillon in "Gunsmoke," Rooster Cogburn in "True Grit," and the modern-day "The Fugitive" movies and TV series – most people don't know a lot about the nation's oldest law enforcement agency.
"A lot of people don't even know we exist," said John Kinsey, a deputy U.S. marshal with the U.S. Marshals Florida/Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. "We're not jumping off of trains and chasing people through the swamp every day."

It's true U.S. Marshals are involved in federal crimes and witness protection, but their duties include a lot more. The U.S. Marshals Service also conducts domestic and international fugitive investigations, plans and implements the extradition and deportation of fugitives, conducts financial and technical surveillance on specific fugitive investigations, and even serves court papers, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

"Our main objective is to service the federal courts," Kinsey said.

Marshals also are assigned by the U.S. attorney general to help local law enforcement agencies, Kinsey said. Involvement with the recent Lee County case falls under the U.S. Marshals' duties to work closely on fugitive task forces and special cases with local, state, federal and international law enforcement agencies.

"Basically, what it does is give the local guy a longer arm. It also gives them extra manpower," said Lee County sheriff's spokeswoman Sgt. Stephanie Eller.
In addition to manpower, especially for the long hours required for surveillance of crime suspects, U.S. Marshals also support local law enforcement agencies by providing additional equipment and funding, said Kinsey.

Certain criteria have to be met for U.S. Marshals to adopt a case.
Basically, marshals assist with any violent crimes or serious felonies, especially crimes committed with guns or drugs, Kinsey said.

On Aug. 8, members of the U.S. Marshals regional task force shot and killed Billy Ray Retherford in North Fort Myers after he raised a handgun toward law enforcement officials, reports show. Retherford was wanted in the July 24 killing of a San Carlos Park woman. ..continued.. by TIM ATEN