US Marshals Service
Federal agency that joined the manhunt for eight escapees from a New Mexico jail.
The United States Marshals Service is a federal law enforcement agency that joined the investigation into the August 24, 2008 escape from the Curry County Adult Detention Center in Clovis, New Mexico. Alongside state police and the sheriff's department, the Marshals helped focus searches in West Texas and the Lubbock area, and began conducting sweeps of areas the escapees were known to frequent. They also started looking into families and friends of the inmates. Their involvement underscores the multi-agency response to the jailbreak, which involved eight inmates charged with violent crimes.
Quick Facts
- Affiliation
- U.S. Department of Justice
Lore & Background
The United States Marshals Service became part of the investigation after eight inmates escaped from the Curry County Adult Detention Center on August 24, 2008. Federal agencies, including the Marshals, joined state police and the sheriff's department in the search. Officials believed some escapees could have been in West Texas and the Lubbock area, so searches focused around Clovis, Albuquerque, and Amarillo, Texas. Marshals conducted sweeps of areas the escapees were known to frequent and began looking into families and friends of the inmates. Melody Carter, mother of escapee Larry McClendon, Jr., said marshals searched her house and told her they might have to use deadly force when they find him. The Marshals' involvement helped lead to the capture of Javier Zapata, who was arrested by federal marshals late on August 25 in Cactus, Texas, about 165 miles from Clovis.
Reader's Guide
The United States Marshals Service operates as a federal law enforcement agency under the U.S. Department of Justice. In the Clovis jailbreak investigation, they worked alongside state police and the sheriff's department to track eight escapees. Their methods included conducting sweeps of areas the inmates were known to frequent, setting up roadblocks on the outskirts of Clovis, and questioning motorists. They also investigated families and friends of the escapees, searching homes and making public appeals. The Marshals successfully captured Javier Zapata in Cactus, Texas, about 165 miles from Clovis, on August 25, 2008. Their role in the manhunt demonstrates their capacity to coordinate across state lines and work with multiple agencies to apprehend fugitives charged with violent crimes.
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