Director Hylton attended Northeastern University on a full athletic scholarship and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice. She began her 32-year law enforcement career as a Deputy United States Marshal. During her tenure with the U.S. Marshals Service, she has held several positions in diverse mission areas, including 10 years as a member of the USMS Special Operations Group. Director Hylton also served as an instructor at the USMS Training Academy; Witness Security Inspector; Chief for the Judicial Security Programs; Chief Deputy, District of South Carolina; and Assistant Director for Prisoner Operations. Additionally, she was the agency’s Emergency Response Incident Commander for such assignments as Ground Zero after 9/11.

In 2004, Director Hylton was appointed as the Attorney General's Federal Detention Trustee. Since 2010, when she was appointed Director of the Marshals Service, she has led a key Department of Justice law enforcement agency responsible for federal judicial security; fugitive apprehension; witness security; asset forfeiture; and prisoner operations.

Director Hylton serves on the Executive Committee for the International Association of Chiefs of Police, as well as on the Board of Directors for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. She is the recipient of numerous awards including the Presidential Distinguished Service Award and the Attorney General Edmund Randolph Award in recognition of outstanding service.