James Thompson, Acting Deputy Director

James Thompson was sworn in as United States Marshal for the District of Utah on September 9, 2010. As United States Marshal, he led the district office and determined the district’s program objectives and priorities in support of the overall agency’s goals. This role also included ensuring the protection of the judicial process by ensuring the safe and secure conduct of judicial proceedings and protecting federal judges, jurors and other members of the federal judiciary. In addition to this, he supervised investigations involving the apprehension of federal fugitives and supports state and local investigative efforts in apprehending violent felons with the U.S. Marshals Service led Joint Criminal Apprehension Team (JCAT). He ensured the safe and secure housing and transportation of federal prisoners while in Marshals Service custody, as well as ensuring that the detention space met constitutional and legal requirements for conditions of confinement, and managed a complex multi-million dollar budget.

Mr. Thompson is a career Marshals Service employee. Prior to his appointment as a United States Marshal, his law enforcement career within the agency began in 1983 as a Deputy U.S. Marshal in the Middle District of North Carolina. As a Deputy, he was also a member of the USMS’ Special Operations Group. In 1987, he went on to become an Inspector in the Witness Security Division. Mr. Thompson also served as an Instructor at the U.S. Marshals Service Training Academy in Glynco, Georgia for four years before becoming Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal in the District of Utah. He served in this capacity for 17 years until his appointment as a U.S. Marshal. Prior to joining the Marshals Service, Mr. Thompson’s federal law enforcement career started as a Ranger with the National Park Service in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Mr. Thompson has received a wide range of awards, including one from the Attorney General in recognition for his contributions to the community partnerships for public safety for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. He has chaired numerous committees during his thirty year Marshals Service career.

Mr. Thompson was born in Chicago, IL, however, he spent most of his childhood in Tennessee. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Memphis. He is married and has two children.