Jersey City Terror Attack Probe Honors for U.S. Attorneys

NEWARK, N.J. – Connie Jones, a supervisor overseeing half of the Criminal Division’s paralegals in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of New Jersey, and two prosecutors, Ronnell Wilson and Dean Sovolos, were recognized for their outstanding work in criminal prosecutions.

Connie Jones won the Superior Performance in a Litigative Support Role award for her 27 years of service. Since 2018, she has been instrumental in redefining the role of paralegals in criminal matters. She developed standardized operating procedures and protocols to ensure consistency in the preparation of grand jury subpoenas, case files, evidence, and discovery. Jones is also a key player in the office’s ‘Triggerlock’ program, which helps manage the seizure of hundreds of unlawfully possessed firearms, ensuring community safety.

The Superior Performance by an AUSA – Criminal award was given to Ronnell Wilson and Dean Sovolos for their work on two tragic incidents of violent extremism. The first incident was the domestic terror attack fueled by anti-Semitism in Jersey City, New Jersey, and the second was the bias-motivated attack on U.S. District Judge Esther Salas and her family. Wilson and Sovolos demonstrated extraordinary skill and professionalism in investigating these attacks and finding answers for the victims and their families.

Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig praised the recipients, stating, ‘I am proud to congratulate our office’s three recipients of this year’s Director’s Awards… Their work in the litigation support and criminal areas reflects not only on their tremendous contributions to protecting the people of New Jersey, but on all of the people in this office.’

The Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys provides oversight, general executive assistance, and direction to the 94 United States Attorneys’ offices around the country. For more information, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao.

The traditional Director’s Awards ceremony was cancelled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, the recipients’ outstanding work has not gone unnoticed.

Connie Jones’ 27 years of service and Ronnell Wilson and Dean Sovolos’ dedication to investigating violent extremism are a testament to the U.S. Attorney’s Office/District of New Jersey’s commitment to justice and community safety.

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