House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan and the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Andy Biggs have formally requested an investigation into the actions of the United States Marshals Service (USMS) following a distressing incident involving the false arrest of an elderly Arizona woman, Penny McCarthy. Citing concerns over carelessness and excessive force, the chairmen sent a letter to Inspector General Michael Horowitz urging a thorough examination of the events that have raised alarm about the USMS's adherence to due process rights.
According to a letter obtained by the House Judiciary Committee's press releases, the altercation took place on March 5, when USMS agents, with guns drawn, accused McCarthy of being a fugitive in violation of probation from 1999. The agents denied McCarthy the chance to verify her identity, detaining her overnight before a federal judge dismissed the case the following day. However, the distressing body camera footage only came to light after a six-month delay, prompted by a local news channel's investigation and a subsequent Freedom of Information Act request.
The chairmen's appeal spotlights the apparent disregard for constitutional rights by the USMS, as well as the perceived inadequacy of an internal review of the incident. They argue that independent oversight by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) is crucial to preventing further such incidents. According to the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, the letter remarks, “We are very concerned at both the USMS’s carelessness and the excessive force during this encounter,” highlighting the urgency of addressing the miscarriage of justice experienced by Ms. McCarthy.
In their communication to IG Horowitz, chairmen Jordan and Biggs insist that "The USMS's lack of regard for Ms. McCarthy's due process rights is very troubling and oversight is necessary to ensure similar abuses do not happen in the future." According to the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee. The case of Penny McCarthy has become emblematic of broader concerns regarding law enforcement conduct and civil liberties, prompting officials to call for increased accountability and transparency within the USMS.
