The USMS is responsible for ensuring the safe and secure conduct of judicial proceedings; protecting more than 2,000 federal judges and approximately 5,250 other court officials at more than 400 court facilities while providing security systems at over 900 facilities; arresting federal, state, and local fugitives; protecting federal witnesses; transporting federal prisoners; managing assets seized from criminal enterprises; and responding to major national events, terrorism, and significant high-threat trials. The USMS Director and Deputy Director work with 94 U.S. Marshals to direct approximately 4,900 employees at more than 350 locations throughout the 50 states, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Mexico, Jamaica, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic.

Investigations

During this reporting period, the OIG received 209 complaints involving the USMS. The most common allegations made against USMS employees included job performance failure; force, abuse, and rights violations; and official misconduct. The OIG opened 13 investigations and referred 2 allegations to the USMS’s Office of Internal Affairs for review. The majority of the complaints were considered management issues and were provided to the USMS for its review and appropriate action.  At the close of the reporting period, the OIG had 29 open cases of alleged misconduct against USMS employees.  

Ongoing Work

The USMS’s Oversight of its Judicial Facilities Security Program

The OIG is assessing the USMS’s management of its court security officer program and its oversight of the physical security of federal court facilities.

The USMS’s Administration of Seized and Forfeited Complex Assets

The USMS’s Complex Assets Unit administers complex financial assets seized by the Department that involve special business or financial issues, which may include large companies, rental properties, and stock and bond portfolios. This OIG audit is assessing the USMS’s oversight of seized and forfeited complex assets.