Yes there was, when she called from New Mexico and said she was.
Now... if you are saying they were involved before that, I think with a major spotlight case like this and the ease of travelling, they may get called in to support police depts that may not have a lot of experience with this kind of thing.
Yes, they were involved previously.
So the media shines the bright light and the Feds determine that is the case they should be involved in?
LE never looked outside the immediate area for her, so at what point did the Feds decide they should get involved? Was it when they received a telephone call from the Judge?