WCCO Gets All-Access Look At U.S. Marshal Training

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- They are often unseen and move behind the scenes, working to keep us safe.

The U.S. Marshals Service is the oldest federal law enforcement agency. Its main mission is to protect the federal court system. But the most visible part of the job includes hunting fugitives, killers and violent offenders.

The marshals gave WCCO full access as they trained and tracked criminals.

"In this business there's never any lack of business," Marshal Sharon Lubinksi said.

They are fugitive hunters, tracking bad guys who will do anything to avoid being caught. The wall when you walk into the marshals' office is a constant reminder of who they are hunting, and why. It holds the country's 15 most-wanted fugitives.

Lubinksi said their work was essential in finding a Minnesotan on that list -- Victor Barnard.

"He has about 59 counts of sexual assault against him in Pine County in greater Minnesota," Lubinski said.

They tracked the religious leader accused of having sex with girls -- some as young as 12, who he called "maidens" -- to a small village in Brazil, where he is now awaiting extradition.

Deputy U.S. Marshals are highly skilled and highly trained.

"We train hard, because we're here to save lives. We go after the worst of the worst. We go after murderers, we go after bank robbers, we go after rapists," Deputy U.S. Marshal Nate Matthews said.

What they do wrong on the job could cost lives. Matthews said a mistake in the field would mean, "death, or injury, to your partner, to an innocent civilian."

Before going out in the field, Deputy U.S. Marshals do their homework, a work-up of everything there is to know about a suspect, and who they surround themselves with.

The best time to make an arrest is in the early morning hours, when people, and criminals, are asleep.

A man wanted for burglary came out of a St. Paul home willingly.

"The marshals service, they say, we always get our man. And there is some truth to that," Lubinksi said.

But no arrest, or the danger that comes with the job, is ever the same. Marshals work with law enforcement partners regularly.

The task force joined the high profile search for Ty Hoffman, the man convicted of killing his former business partner. He was on the lam for a month before being arrested.

And marshals aided in the all-out manhunt to capture Brian Fitch Sr., who gunned down Mendota Heights Police Officer Scott Patrick.

Deputy Marshals must have a clear mind, strong body and great motivation.

"And never give up. And at the end of the day you have a fugitive, and the community has some relief," Lubinski said.

There are 23 deputies in the field in Minnesota. Five to seven of them work full-time enforcement. They also team up with Task Force Officers from police and sheriff's departments around the state, as well as with the BCA and Department of Corrections.