31 U.S.C. § 3542 — Carrying out distress warrants

(a) A marshal enforcing a section 3541 distress warrant must seize the official’s personal property and sell it after giving 10 days’ notice. The notice must be posted in at least two public places in the town and county where the property was taken or where its owner lives. If the property does not cover the amount owed, the official may be imprisoned until discharged by law. (b) (1) The amount owed is a lien on the official’s real property from the date the warrant is issued. The lien must be recorded with the clerk of the proper district court until discharged under law. (2) If personal property is insufficient, the marshal must sell the official’s real property after advertising it for at least three weeks in at least three public places in the county or district where it is located. A buyer receives valid title against everyone claiming through the official. (c) The official receives the sale proceeds left after the warrant is satisfied and reasonable sale costs and charges are paid.