Raffety nominated to serve as United States marshal

J.C. Raffety, who spent much of 2017 serving as both interim chief and special investigator for the city of Elkins, has been nominated to serve in the position for the Northern District of West Virginia, which includes court locations in Elkins, Clarksburg, Martinsburg and Wheeling.

Raffety’s nomination will now go to the United States Senate Judiciary Committee for review, and if recommended by the committee, his nomination will move on for full vote by the United States Senate.

“I am both humbled and honored to have been nominated by President Donald J. Trump to serve as United States marshal for the Northern District of West Virginia,” Raffety said Tuesday. “I have been blessed to have served my career in the profession of law enforcement and the ability to continue that service as U.S. marshal is a further blessing.

“I would be remiss if I did not further recognize the support of West Virginia U.S. Sen. Shelly Moore Capito in securing this nomination. If confirmed, I promise to serve with integrity and dedication to the Constitution,” he continued. “It is a distinct honor and privilege for the opportunity to again serve with the men and women of the United States Marshal Service for the Northern District of West Virginia.”

Capito, R-W.Va., issued a statement Tuesday, welcoming Trump’s nomination of Raffety to serve as U.S. marshal. Capito recommended Raffety for the position, according to a press release from her office.

“There is no one more qualified to serve as U.S. marshal in West Virginia’s Northern District than J.C. Having already held the position for eight years, he has a unique perspective and firsthand experience that I know will help him continue to serve the people of West Virginia,” Capito said. “I am excited the president decided to nominate J.C., and I look forward to supporting his confirmation.”

Raffety is currently a contract investigator for the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office, according to the press release.

He began his law enforcement career in 1970 with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, where he served for 30 years as a special agent and supervisory special agent in Washington, D.C., Virginia, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

According to his resume, while with the FBI, he “conducted numerous and successful investigations specializing in organized crime/public corruption, violent crimes, white collar crimes, property crimes and domestic terrorism.”

Following his retirement from the FBI, Raffety served as chief of the Buckhannon Police Department from 2000 to 2001. In 2002, he was appointed by then-President George W. Bush to be U.S. marshal for the Northern District of West Virginia, and he served in this capacity until 2010.

He served as chief of police in Buckhannon from March 2000 to December 2001.

In addition, Raffety served on the Upshur County Commission from 2011 to January 2017. He did not seek election to a second term on commission.

Raffety is an alumni of Prince George’s Community College, Illinois State University and the University of Pittsburgh.