Fact Sheets
Asset Forfeiture Program
- The Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture Program has become a key part of
the federal government’s efforts to combat major criminal activity by
stripping criminals of their ill-gotten gains.
- The U.S. Marshals Service
plays a critical role by managing and selling assets seized and
forfeited by federal law enforcement agencies nationwide.
- Proceeds
generated from asset sales are used to compensate victims, supplement
funding for law enforcement initiatives and support community programs.
- The agency uses practices from private industry to ensure that assets
are managed and sold in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
- The
Marshals Service manages various types of assets, including real estate,
vehicles, commercial businesses, cash, financial instruments, jewelry,
art, antiques, collectibles, vessels and aircraft.
- The Marshals currently manage nearly 18,000 assets valued at
approximately $3.9 billion.
- The Marshals manage the distribution of equitable sharing
proceeds to state and local law enforcement agencies that
participated in investigations leading to forfeiture as well as
payments to victims of crime and innocent third parties.
- In FY 2010, approximately $580 million was shared with
participating state and local law enforcement agencies. More
than $6.1 billion has been shared since FY 1985.
- In FY 2010, approximately $345 million was distributed to
victims of crime and claimants.
- The Marshals Service supports communities by transferring
certain types of forfeited assets to state, local and nonprofit
organizations. Through a program called Operation Goodwill,
forfeited real or personal property of marginal value can be
transferred to state or local governments in support of drug
abuse treatment, drug crime prevention and education, housing,
job skills and other community-based public health and safety
programs.
- The agency also assists with pre-seizure planning
and analysis, seizure operations, execution of court orders,
litigation support and distribution of proceeds.
- The Asset
Forfeiture Program was created in 1984 when Congress passed the
Comprehensive Crime Control Act, giving federal prosecutors new
forfeiture provisions to combat crime. This legislation also
created the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund.
- Asset Forfeiture Program participants include the U.S. Marshals
Service; FBI; Drug Enforcement Administration; Executive Office
for United States Attorneys; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms and Explosives; Food and Drug Administration;
Department of Agriculture; Bureau of Diplomatic Security;
Defense Criminal Investigative Service; and U.S. Postal
Inspection Service.
- Additional information can be found at
www.usmarshals.gov/assets, including current asset sales
(public auctions and property listings) and the National Sellers
List. News feed and e-mail notifications are available by
subscription from the Web page.
Office of Public Affairs
revised April 13, 2011
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