Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office Agent Confirmed by Senate as Next U.S. Marshal for New Jersey

Senators Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) announced Thursday that Juan Mattos Jr., of Monroe Twp., has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the next U.S. Marshal for the District of New Jersey.

According to a release from Lautenberg's office, the state's U.S. Marshal Office has been overseen by an acting Marshal since August 2010.

Mattos's appointment will bring a permanent staffer to the role for the first time in nearly a year, and he is also the first Latino U.S. Marshal to serve in New Jersey, according to the release.

In a prepared release Thursday, Lautenberg said he was disappointed that it took so long to find a permanent candidate for the position, but that he was happy with Mattos.

"Mr. Mattos has had a distinguished career in law enforcement in New Jersey and will be a strong leader of our U.S. Marshal’s office,” he said.

Mattos's career in public service includes 35 years with the State Police, retiring in 2010 after serving as Lt. Colonel, Deputy Superintendent of Investigations and Deputy Superintendent of Operations. He is currently an agent with the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office, according to the release.