LETTER TO WILLIAM J. CASEY FROM STANLEY E. MORRIS

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP89B00297R000400740010-1
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
K
Document Page Count: 
6
Document Creation Date: 
December 23, 2016
Document Release Date: 
August 16, 2012
Sequence Number: 
10
Case Number: 
Content Type: 
LETTER
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/16: CIA-RDP89B00297R000400740010-1 Mr. William J. Casey Director Central Intelligence Agency Washington, D.C. 20505 Dear Mr. Casey: United States Marshals Service One 7yw.u Corner Center McLem. Vi gins 22102 Although certain fundamental responsibilities of the United States Marshals Service have remained unchanged for much of its history, we have, from time to time, been assigned new missions or have experienced significant changes in older ones. It is, therefore, helpful to us to periodically contact those federal civilian and military agencies with which we work- closely, to explain these missions, and to request their cooper- ation in providing certain information which we require to perform those responsibilities. A primary mission of the Marshals Service is to ensure the integrity of the federal judicial system by protecting all participants, most notably federal judges. Threats against judges and other court officials, especially U.S. Attorneys and Assistants, have been rising significantly for the past several years. In response to this, our Judicial Security Program has become far more sophisticated, employing the latest techniques in electronic and physical security, and protective services training for those assigned to protective details. Judicial Security has been the primary beneficiary of our threat assessment program which was initiated two and a-half years ago. The responsibilities of investigating threats for the purpose of prosecution, and of providing protection from these threats, are divided between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Marshals Service, respectively. For this reason, our two agencies have the policy of cross-notification and close and continuing cooperation in such matters. Thus, a judicial threat may be reported to either agency, with the exception of those which involve imminent danger, where it is critical Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/16: CIA-RDP89B00297R000400740010-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/16: CIA-RDP89B00297R000400740010-1 that physical protection from an assault be provided immediately. In such cases, the U.S. Marshal's office should be notified without delay so that the appropriate security measures may be initiated. All matters relative to*federal judicial security operations are handled by the Court Security Division. (A list of contact points relating to each of the program areas discussed in this letter is enclosed.) Another major responsibility of the Marshals Service is the operation of the Government's Witness Security Program, including the protection, redocumentation, funding and relocation of witnesses under threat from organized criminal elements. The Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984 extended the range of offenses warranting participation in the Program, from those typically associated with more traditional organized crime to include those committed by terrorists and highly-organized criminal motorcycle gangs. All matters relating to protected witnesses are handled by the Witness Security Division. Since 1979, the Marshals Service has had investigative authority in fugitive matters, domestic and foreign, involving escaped federal prisoners, and probation, parole, and (with some exceptions) bond violators. Our Fugitive Investigative Strike Team (FIST) operations, which target habitual and dangerous criminals, have proven highly successful. Begun five years ago, strictly as a USMS activity, they are now a federal-state-local (and at times, international) cooperative effort, as approximately ninety-five percent of arrests made are non-federal. The U.S. Marshals Service is also responsible for the extradition of federal fugitives back to the United States. USMS representatives are assigned to each of the organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, to the El Paso Intelligence Center, the National Narcotics Border Interdiction System (El Paso office) and Interpol's National Central Bureau in Washington and General Secretariat in St. Cloud, France. All fugitive matters are handled by the Enforcement Division. One of our most recently assigned missions is the management and disposal of assets seized from, or forfeited by, criminals. Last year, the Service handled over $300 million worth of property as our seized property caseload increased by forty percent. As is the case with any new program of such magnitude, there are important policy and procedural issues to be addressed. We have found that one of the most important factors affecting the success of asset seizures/forfeiture actions is advance notification from case agencies. This allows us to formulate Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/16: CIA-RDP89B00297R000400740010-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/16: CIA-RDP89B00297R000400740010-1 plans as to what assets should be targeted, and may even lead to the identification of new assets not previously known by the case agents. The result is a more effective punitive action against the perpetrators and a better net return to the Government. All matters pertaining to the National Asset Seizure and For- feiture (NASAF) program are handled by the Seized Asset Manage- ment Branch, Operations Support Division. As you know, one of the most effective tools in combatting sophisticated criminal organizations is the developing and sharing of intelligence pertaining to their activities. One of the steps taken by the Marshals Service to counteract an increas- ingly hostile environment has been the establishment of the Threat Analysis Group, which is responsible for supporting all USMS operations by providing intelligence and assessments relative to threats against our protectees and our personnel. Last fall, we established the position of Threat Coordinator in each of our district offices, centralizing certain duties relative to our ability to be prepared for, and to counter, serious threats. It is the responsibility of the Threat Coordinator to be knowledgeable of all threat situations in his/her district, usually with respect to the major threat sources (violence-prone groups, criminal gangs, etc.) and to provide timely and accurate information to district management and to Headquarters concerning known or suspected threats to USMS protectees or personnel. Specific duties of the Coordinators, who are cleared at the Secret level, include maintaining official contacts with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies for the purpose of sharing such threat intelligence. Matters relative to the Threat Coordinator program are handled by the Threat Analysis Group. The capability to systematically collect, analyze, and disseminate threat-related and other important information on a .timely basis is a valuable and much-needed asset, one which will benefit those agencies with which we work closely, in addition to benefitting our own. We are committed to sharing the benefits of intelligence with every law enforcement agency which requires it, in accordance with governing laws and regulations. Much of the information the Marshals Service requires in order to provide appropriate security in a given threat situation comes from the investigating agencies. This information is invaluable from the standpoint of conducting threat assessments and planning tactical countermeasures. We are requesting your continued cooperation in providing any information relative to known or suspected threats against our protectees or personnel; information of any planned or actual disruptions of the judicial Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/16: CIA-RDP89B00297R000400740010-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/16: CIA-RDP89B00297R000400740010-1 process, including demonstrations at federal court facilities; or information of importance to the law enforcement community in general, such as threats to law enforcement officers as a group, or the use of new or unusual weaponry. USMS personnel at Headquarters (and in district offices) may be reached at anytime through our Headquarters Communications Center which operates twenty-four hours a day. We have also established a crisis center at Headquarters and have equipped it to facilitate responses to emergency operations and those of unusual magnitude. Should members of your staff wish to discuss or report a matter which is not within the purview of an existing contact at USMS Headquarters, they should feel free to call upon the Threat Analysis Group which will assist them or provide direction to the point where such help can be obtained. As always, your cooperation and assistance are very much appreciated. STANLEt E. MORRIS Enclosure Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/16: CIA-RDP89B00297R000400740010-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/16: CIA-RDP89B00297R000400740010-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/16: CIA-RDP89B00297R000400740010-1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/16: CIA-RDP89B00297R000400740010-1 TO: EXECUTIVE SECRETARIAT ROUTING SLIP Compt /Securit,' NI0/CT NIQ/NAR DO irity Remarks To 6: Please have courtesy response prepared for DCI signature. 3637 x'?.81) un 86 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/16: CIA-RDP89B00297R000400740010-1