George K. McKinney, U.S. Marshal for the District of Maryland, 1999
Donald S. Donovan, Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal
Garmatz Federal Courthouse, Room 6115
101 West Lombard St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 962-2220
fax: (410) 962-3780
Under the U.S. Department of Justice, the United States Marshals Service is the nation's oldest federal law enforcement agency. It apprehends federal criminals who jump bail, violate parole, or escape from prison; and provides transportation and care for prisoners in its custody. The Service protects federal judges, court officials, jurors, and witnesses within and away from court facilities. It also manages assets seized or forfeited as a result of criminal activities, such as drug trafficking, money laundering, organized crime, and fraud.
The office of U.S. Marshal was established in each federal judicial district by the federal Judiciary Act of 1789. As Presidential appointees, Marshals functioned independently within their districts until 1969, when the U.S. Marshals Service was formed. By 1972, a headquarters in Washington, DC, supervised budgets and the hiring and training of deputies nationwide. The federal Marshals Service Act of 1988 further defined the role of U.S. Marshals.
The U.S. Marshal for each district is appointed to a four-year term by the President of the United States with the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate.
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