FILE: Summit County Sheriff Justin Martinez speaks to reporters about the search and recovery of Ray Humpherys on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. (Laura Seitz/ Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — President Biden has nominated Summit County Sheriff Justin Martinez to the post of the District of Utah U.S. Marshal.
In a press release, the President’s office said Mr. Biden chose Martinez and other nominees for “their devotion to enforcing the law, their professionalism, their experience and credentials, their dedication to pursuing equal justice for all, and their commitment to the independence of the Department of Justice.”
The President of the United States appoints a United States Marshal. The U.S. Senate confirms them. The current District of Utah U.S. Marshal is Matt Harris who was appointed by President Donald Trump.
Martinez has been the Summit County Sheriff since 2015 and was a captain in the Summit County Sheriff’s Office for 10 years prior to becoming the sheriff.
During his career, Martinez served in law enforcement capacities for Draper, the Utah Transit Authority, Salt Lake County, and Sandy.
Martinez is also a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard.
On Friday, Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) tweeted his response to the nomination.
In a statement sent to the media, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) said he was pleased with the nomination.
“Justin Martinez is a proven leader and will serve us well as the U.S. Marshal for Utah. I trust that he will execute his duties with the same proficiency and professionalism he demonstrated during his 26 years of law enforcement service for Summit County and the State of Utah.”