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Cartel Killers Brought to Justice
WASHINGTON – A team of federal agents from the Middle District of Florida has been recognized for their outstanding work in bringing members of the Los Zetas cartel to justice. The team, led by U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez, was honored for their superior performance by a litigative team at the 34th Director’s Awards Ceremony in Washington D.C.
The team was recognized for their work in investigating and prosecuting members of the Los Zetas cartel who brutally murdered United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Special Agent Jaime Zapata and wounded ICE Special Agent Victor Avila in February 2011, during an attempted carjacking in Mexico. Deploying immediately after the attack, the team relentlessly pursued every evidentiary lead and soon began filing charges against the perpetrators.
Over the next six and a half years, seven defendants were extradited to the United States, five of whom pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate. In July 2017, the final two defendants were convicted after trial. The convictions demonstrate that violent Mexican cartels cannot operate with impunity, that they will be punished for violating United States laws, and that Mexican and United States law enforcement can share evidence to bring to justice members of a dangerous transnational criminal organization.
“I am deeply humbled by this award,” said U.S. Attorney Chapa Lopez. “And honored to serve alongside such distinguished individuals in my office and throughout the Executive Office for United States Attorneys.”
Meanwhile, other employees from the Middle District of Florida were recognized for their work in coordinating and implementing emergency response efforts to the District of Puerto Rico and the District of the Virgin Islands in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Jeff Hahn, Joey Chigro, and Ilianys Rivera Miranda received the award for Superior Performance By An Administrative Team for their work in ensuring these districts were operational and facilitating emergency relief efforts.
The team, led by Hahn, Chigro, and Miranda, worked tirelessly to coordinate emergency response efforts and ensure that generators and other key items were shipped to critical locations. Their dedication and hard work in the face of adversity were an inspiration to others, and their contributions to the relief efforts will not be forgotten.
The 34th Director’s Awards Ceremony was held in the Great Hall at the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice building and recognized 162 members of the Department of Justice for their outstanding work. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA) Director James Crowell, IV presented the awards to the recipients.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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