Senate confirms Raffety for another term as U.S. marshal in Northern W.Va.

CLARKSBURG — Former Northern West Virginia U.S. Marshal J.C. Raffety has been confirmed by the Senate to hold the post in the air.

President Donald Trump had nominated Raffety.

Raffety was recommended by U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.

Capito applauded the confirmation of Raffety by her fellow senators.

“Having already served in this role for eight years, I have no doubt J.C. will do an exceptional job as U.S. Marshal for West Virginia’s Northern District," Capito said in a news release Tuesday.

"He brings experience and knowledge to the position, as well as a proved commitment to keeping West Virginians safe and upholding the rule of law in our state. I congratulate J.C. on his confirmation and look forward to continuing to work together as he once again takes on this important responsibility," Capito added.

Raffety is likely to be on the job sometime in June.

"I again wish to thank President Trump for the distinct honor and privilege in nominating me to the office of United States marshal for the Northern District of West Virginia," Raffety said, "and to Sen. Shelley Moore Capito for her recommendation and support in confirmation to that office. I look forward to reacquainting myself with those deputy marshals with whom I previously worked in my earlier appointment under President George W. Bush."

Raffety said he also looks forward to renewing his professional relationships and friendships with law enforcement throughout the Northern District.

Raffety is currently a contract investigator for the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office. 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.

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 former President George W. Bush to be U.S. marshal for the Northern District of West Virginia, and he served in this capacity until 2010.

Raffety then served as elected Upshur County commissioner from 2011 to 2016 and interim chief of police for the Elkins Police Department in 2017.

He earned his associate of arts degree from Prince George’s Community College, his B.S. from Illinois State University and an M.P.A. from the University of Pittsburgh.