Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse and Jack Reed today announced that Wing Chau’s nomination to serve as U.S. Marshal for Rhode Island has unanimously passed the Senate Judiciary Committee, on which Whitehouse serves. The nomination now heads to the full Senate for approval.
“Today’s vote marks a key step in the confirmation process. We are confident Wing Chau will serve Rhode Islanders honorably as our U.S. Marshal, and we look forward to the full Senate taking up this nomination as quickly as possible,” said Whitehouse and Reed.
Chau grew up in Rhode Island and attended Providence public schools, graduating from Central High School. He earned degrees from the Community College of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College.
Chau began his law enforcement career in 1989 as a capitol police officer for the state of Rhode Island. In 1994, he joined federal law enforcement, working for the U.S. Border Patrol and then the ATF. During his 20 years as an ATF Special Agent, Chau has taken part in a range of criminal investigations of gang activity, violent criminals, and domestic and international terrorist organizations. He served as Acting Special Agent in Charge in the Rhode Island ATF office during 9/11, and helped in the effort to track and apprehend the Boston Marathon bomber in 2013.
Chau was selected to replace Jamie Hainsworth, who has served in an exemplary manner as Rhode Island’s U.S. Marshal since 2012.
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