U.S. Marshals Service >> Fugitive Investigations

Fugitive Investigations

The Marshals Service is the federal government's lead agency for conducting investigations involving: escaped federal prisoners; probation, parole and bond default violators; and fugitives based on warrants generated during drug investigations.

The U.S. Marshals have the authority to make an arrest on all federal warrants.


15 Most Wanted	Major Cases	Task Forces	International Investigations

In fiscal year 2007, the U.S. Marshals arrested more than 36,000 federal fugitive felons, clearing 39,000 federal felony warrants – more than all other law enforcement agencies combined. Working with authorities at the federal, state, and local levels, U.S. Marshals-led fugitive task forces arrested more than 58,600 state and local fugitives, clearing 70,300 state and local felony warrants.

15 Most Wanted	The USMS established the 15 Most Wanted Fugitive Program in 1983 in an effort to prioritize the investigation and apprehension of high-profile offenders who are considered to be some of the country’s most dangerous fugitives. These offenders tend to be career criminals with histories of violence or whose instant offense(s) pose a significant threat to public safety. Current and past fugitives in this program include murderers, sex offenders, major drug kingpins, organized crime figures, and individuals wanted for high-profile financial crimes.
Major Cases	The USMS established its Major Case Fugitive Program in 1985 in an effort to supplement the successful 15 Most Wanted Fugitive Program. Much like the 15 Most Wanted Fugitive Program, the Major Case Fugitive Program prioritizes the investigation and apprehension of high-profile offenders who are considered to be some of the country’s most dangerous individuals. These offenders tend to be career criminals with histories of violence or whose instant offense(s) pose a significant threat to public safety. Current and past fugitives in this program include murderers, sex offenders, major drug kingpins, organized crime figures, and individuals wanted for high-profile financial crimes. All escapes from custody are automatically elevated to Major Case status.
Fugitive Task Forces	The USMS has a long history of providing assistance and expertise to other federal, state, and local low enforcement agencies in support of their fugitive investigations. The USMS is the lead agency for 91 interagency fugitive task forces located throughout the United States, including six congressionally funded regional fugitive task forces. These task forces, staffed by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, target the most dangerous fugitives.
International Investigations	The U.S. Marshals Service has been designated by the Department of Justice as the primary agency to apprehend fugitives who are wanted by foreign nations and believed to be in the United States. Also, the Marshals Service is the primary agency responsible for tracking and extraditing fugitives who are apprehended in foreign countries and wanted for prosecution in the United States. The U.S. Marshals Service, which has statutory responsibility for all international, federal and state extraditions, sees to it that there is no safe haven for criminals who flee the territorial boundaries of the United States.
Technical Operations	Deploying the most sophisticated technologies available, the Technical Operations Group provides investigative and intelligence support for the U.S. Marshals and U.S. Marshals-led fugitive task forces. Technical Operations also provides assistance when requested by other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to solve complex criminal investigations or crimes of violence.
Criminal Information Branch	The Criminal Information Branch provides investigative research and analysis in support of various Marshals Service operations and provides oversight of special law enforcement information systems used by the Marshals Service and management of data sharing projects with other agencies.