Associate Director for Investigations (ADI) Silas V. Darden III joined the United States Marshals Service (USMS) in February 2022, after dedicating nearly his entire career with the United States Department of Justice (DOJ).
As ADI, he oversees the Directorate responsible for the Agency’s programs supporting the apprehension of domestic and international fugitives and violent offenders under USMS jurisdiction, including intelligence and the nation's Regional Fugitive Task Forces (RFTF), established under the Presidential Threat Protection Act of 2000. The purpose of RFTFs is to combine the efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate and apprehend the most dangerous fugitives and assist in high profile investigations.
Previously, ADI Darden served as the Associate Deputy Director and, immediately prior to that, dual roles as both Chief of Staff and Senior Counsel to the Director. As Chief of Staff, ADI Darden served as primary liaison to the White House and DOJ’s Office of the Attorney General, Office of the Deputy Attorney General, and all federal, state, tribal and international law enforcement partners. As the Director's Senior Counsel, ADI Darden coordinated with all mission leadership and nationwide district offices in support of USMS and DOJ strategic goals, while also advising on legislation that impacts, or may impact, the USMS.
Before rejoining DOJ, Mr. Darden served briefly as the Deputy Vice Chairman for the Board of Veterans Appeals at the Department of Veterans Affairs. In that position, he led a team of Veterans Law Judges, attorneys, and professional administrative staff to ensure the Board’s efficiency and effectiveness in conducting hearings and deciding appeals.
Prior to joining the Board, he served in several senior executive positions at DOJ, including as the Chief of Staff and Senior Counsel in the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), where he advised the Acting Assistant Attorney General on the formulation of policy issues and assisted with the implementation of policy initiatives and priorities. Before becoming OJP Chief of Staff, Mr. Darden was Deputy Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), where he was responsible for a number of national-level law enforcement programs, including the National Public Safety Partnership. Earlier, he was a Deputy Associate Attorney General and Director of the Department’s Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative. As Director, he led a newly formed component responsible for extending the expertise and resources needed to enforce the civil and criminal statutes protecting the rights of servicemembers, veterans, and their families to lawyers and investigators throughout the DOJ, and to expand and coordinate enforcement efforts. He also served in detailed assignments in the Office of the Attorney General, Office of the Pardon Attorney, and supporting the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing.
Before joining the Justice Department, Mr. Darden served in and out of uniform in assignments in the Air Force and the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He continues to serve in the Air Force Reserve as the Commander of the 960th Cyberspace Wing. His experience in the military includes assignments in corrections and detention management, counterintelligence, and cyberspace operations.
Mr. Darden holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of North Dakota School of Law, and has earned master’s degrees in management, Information Systems, and Counseling and Leadership. He also holds a bachelor’s degree from North Carolina Agricultural.