The U.S. Marshals Service Montana Violent Offender Task Force (MVOTF) marked its 20th anniversary with a celebration in Billings. The task force, which collaborates with federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement agencies, has closed 22,520 warrants across Montana and beyond. This milestone was announced by U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich and U.S. Marshal Craig Anderson.
At a press conference held at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, both Laslovich and Anderson spoke about the task force's mission and achievements. Former U.S. Marshals Darrell J. Bell and Dwight MacKay joined representatives from the MVOTF's 41 partner agencies for the occasion.
Laslovich praised the dedication of those who have served on the task force: “For 20 years, the brave people who have served on the Montana Violent Offender Task Force have consistently risked their own lives to keep all of us safe... As we pause to celebrate the extraordinary work of the last 20 years, we also pledge to every Montanan that we are just as committed to the work ahead and we will never rest until justice is achieved.”
Anderson highlighted the importance of collaboration among different law enforcement agencies: “Looking beyond the dangers the Task Force members faced each time they made an arrest... there is one over-arching and significant takeaway... when law enforcement agencies from tribal, local, county, state and federal agencies coalesced around the mission of tracking down Montana’s most dangerous criminals, these are the results that followed.”
Established in 2005 under the Presidential Threat Protection Act with guidance from the Attorney General, MVOTF was one of five similar task forces initiated nationwide. The task force has been instrumental in seizing firearms and narcotics such as methamphetamine and fentanyl.
To commemorate its two decades of service, a special patch will be awarded to current and former MVOTF members as well as participating agencies.
The charter members of MVOTF include organizations like the U.S. Marshals Service and Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office. Currently active participants feature multiple county sheriff’s offices and police departments across Montana.
The task force has seen participation from various entities over time including federal bodies like U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and local law enforcement services such as Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services.
