Tampabay: Area's next U.S. marshal to emerge from 3 finalists

The former sheriff of Citrus County and two other men were selected Monday as finalists for the job of U.S. marshal in the Middle District of Florida.

Former Sheriff Charles Dean, Thomas Hurlburt or Robert Pastula will take over for Don Moreland, who was appointed by President Clinton in 1993.

The 94 U.S. marshals across the country, like U.S. attorneys, serve at the pleasure of the president and in most cases resign when a new administration enters the White House.

Dean, 62, Citrus County sheriff from 1980 to 1996, is a cattle rancher and business consultant. After retiring as Citrus' top cop he mounted an unsuccessful bid for state Senate, losing a hard-fought battle to Anna Cowin.

Hurlburt, 56, began his police career in 1968 with the Orlando police department. He rose to police chief in 1991 and stayed for four years before retiring. He then became director of public safety in Orange County. He spent several years in the National Guard and is a former Green Beret.

Pastula, 43, is a 15-year veteran of the Marshals Service, working now as a division supervisor in the Fort Myers office. He supervised the security team when former Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega was transported to Miami. He also worked for the Florida Highway Patrol and the Lee County Sheriff's Office.

The U.S. marshal for the Middle District of Florida, which includes St. Petersburg, Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville, oversees about 50 deputies and a support staff of 20. The marshals specialize in fugitive investigations, protecting the courts, witness security, prisoner custody and transportation and asset seizure. The service also has an elite counterterrorism team.

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