"This will be a dedicated resource of federal [workers] to help local law-enforcement officials," said Brett L. Tolman, U.S. attorney for Utah. "We're fully aware that there is an increase in crime with the population."

The St. George area is one of the nation's fastest-growing metropolitan regions.

Sen. Orrin Hatch and Rep. Jim Matheson, both of whom attended Monday's ceremony, helped secure funding for the office.

"Growth identified the need," said Matheson, D-Utah.

More such satellites may be on the way. Tolman would like to see similar offices open in Grand and Utah counties.

"Moab would be a good contender," he said, "because we handle all the felonies on tribal lands, of which there are many in southeastern Utah."

And the explosive growth in Utah County - the state's second most populous county - makes it a strong candidate for a branch.

The new St. George office, temporarily housed in the Washington County Attorney's Office, will employ two assistant U.S. attorneys and two deputy U.S. marshals.

The office will help solve a logistical nightmare that requires anyone charged with a serious federal offense be transported 300 miles to district court in Salt Lake City.

St. George already has a U.S. magistrate to handle matters not involving grand juries, trials and sentencing hearings.

Hatch, R-Utah, said the next step will be to obtain a U.S. district judge for the area. But he predicted such a jurist probably would not come until the next U.S. presidential administration.

mhavnes@sltrib.com