Lasha R. Boyden is the Acting U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of California. She was designated by U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr on February 3, 2020. She was re-designated by U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland on March 3, 2022, and July 25, 2024.
U.S. Marshal Boyden is responsible for overseeing and directing operations throughout the district, which encompasses 34 of the 58 counties in the state of California. She supports the mission of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) by ensuring the protection of the federal judiciary, fugitive apprehension, coordination of prisoner operations/transportation, execution of court orders, managing seized assets, recovering missing children, supporting the federal witness protection program, and engaging with the community.
U.S. Marshal Boyden began her career with the USMS in 2002 as a student intern in the Middle District of Alabama. She has risen through the ranks to the highest field position within the agency. She has been an employee of the USMS for over 22 years and has taken on a multitude of roles and responsibilities to broaden her knowledge and experience. She has accomplished this by serving in 10 different positions across five different USMS offices, to include Montgomery, AL; Atlanta, GA; Albuquerque, NM; Fresno, CA, and Sacramento, CA. U.S. Marshal Boyden has served in a leadership capacity for over 14 years in the following roles, Detention Management Inspector, Supervisory Deputy, Assistant Chief Deputy, Chief Deputy, and U.S. Marshal.
U.S. Marshal Boyden received her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Alabama State University in 2003, while on a track and field scholarship. In 2013, she went back to school for a higher education and achieved her Executive MBA from the University of New Mexico, in 2015. In September 2020, U.S. Marshal Boyden was a recipient of the International Association of Chiefs of Police 40 under 40 Award, which recognizes 40 law enforcement professionals under the age of 40 from around the world who demonstrate leadership, exemplify commitment to their profession, and have a positive impact on their communities.