WASHINGTON – In a bold move to combat domestic gun violence, Attorney General William P. Barr has announced the establishment of a Domestic Violence Working Group under the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC). Leading this initiative is U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox, alongside nine dedicated U.S. Attorneys, including Justin Herdman of Ohio.
Attorney General Barr emphasized the gravity of domestic violence, stating, ‘Too often, domestic abusers escalate from threats to extreme violence and even homicide, with tragic consequences for families and communities.’ The new group aims to leverage federal prosecution to complement state and local efforts in addressing this issue.
‘With many disputes escalating to gun violence, we needed to reinforce our partners’ work with federal prosecutions,’ Cox said. ‘We want convicted abusers to know: The Justice Department will prosecute them for firearm possession – and they have done so already.’
Herdman highlighted the significant threat domestic violence offenders pose in Ohio, stating, ‘I am honored to serve in this capacity to protect our public. This group ensures a coordinated approach across federal, state, local, and tribal partnerships to reduce and prevent domestic violence.
Federal law already prohibits felons and those with protective orders or domestic violence convictions from possessing firearms. However, offenders with domestic violence histories are at a high risk of homicide, with research showing abusers with guns in the home are five times more likely to kill their partners than those without access to firearms. The Working Group will share best practices and guidance on prosecuting these cases.
Members of the Domestic Violence Working Group include Scott W. Brady, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania; Robert M. Duncan, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Nicola T. Hanna, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California; and more.
Related Federal Cases
- Amgen Pays $71M for Pushing Drugs Off-Label · Washington
- Amgen Inc. $71M Settlement · Washington
- Barr & Shores Target Gun-Toting Abusers in New Federal Task Force · Pennsylvania
- Live Nation Faces Trial Over Monopoly Practices · Washington
- Seattle Cybersecurity Summit: U.S. Attorneys Battle Hacktivism · Pennsylvania
Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Public Corruption|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
