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In 2019, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office began a partnership with the United States Marshals Service (USMS) to federally deputize select St. Louis County Sheriff’s deputies as members of the USMS North Star Fugitive Task Force.
The North Star Fugitive Task Force is responsible for conducting fugitive investigations throughout Minnesota, across the United States, and internationally. The task force’s mission is to locate and apprehend fugitives, hold offenders accountable, and help ensure justice for victims of crime.
The task force focuses primarily on individuals wanted for violent felony offenses. St. Louis County Sheriff’s deputies assigned to the task force continue to fulfill their primary responsibilities with the Sheriff’s Office while assisting with USMS fugitive investigations as their availability permits.
In January 2026, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office expanded its partnership with the U.S. Marshals Service by assigning a deputy sheriff to the North Star Fugitive Task Force on a full-time basis. The deputy works alongside Deputy U.S. Marshals and other task force personnel throughout St. Louis County and beyond.
Since January, this renewed partnership has produced significant results, including the apprehension of 53 fugitives. Those apprehensions have included individuals in St. Louis County, as well as local offenders who fled the area and were later found in other counties and states across the country.
In addition to the 51 fugitive arrests, task force investigations have resulted in the seizure of:
- 15 firearms
- More than 3,000 grams of methamphetamine
- 1,200 grams of cocaine
- 250 grams of fentanyl
- $74,836 in U.S. currency believed to be proceeds from narcotics trafficking
The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said it is proud of its continued partnership with the United States Marshals Service and the North Star Fugitive Task Force. This collaboration strengthens law enforcement agencies' ability to locate dangerous offenders, disrupt criminal activity, and enhance public safety both locally and nationwide.
