Justin Stallings, Armed Robbery, Virginia 2018

A disturbing trend of violence has plagued the streets of Danville and Roanoke, but thanks to the efforts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the tide is turning. Over the past year, the office has made significant progress in reducing violent crime through Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a proven program effective at reducing violent crime.

U.S. Attorney Thomas T. Cullen has prioritized the PSN initiative, working closely with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to target violent individuals, groups, and gangs within specific communities. The result: over 20 alleged violent gang members are no longer operating on the streets of Danville and Roanoke.

One notable example of the office’s success is the case of Justin Stallings, a Danville man charged with committing numerous armed robberies of businesses in Danville, Bedford, and Rocky Mount. On July 25, 2018, a federal grand jury indicted Stallings on multiple counts of armed robbery. The case is ongoing, but it’s a testament to the office’s commitment to reducing violent crime in the Western District of Virginia.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office has also made significant strides in targeting organized gang activity. In June 2018, federal, state, and local authorities announced the largest and most significant prosecution of organized gang activity in the Western District of Virginia in over a decade. The case involved a Danville RICO indictment and resulted in the arrest of multiple alleged gang members.

In addition to vigorous enforcement efforts, the U.S. Attorney’s Office maintains strong partnerships with a variety of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies throughout the Western District of Virginia. The office collaborates on PSN initiatives with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, as well as local law enforcement agencies.

As the office looks to the future, it’s clear that the progress made through Project Safe Neighborhoods is just the beginning. With continued commitment to reducing violent crime, the Western District of Virginia will become an even safer place for everyone.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work tirelessly to make the Western District of Virginia a safer place, and the results will speak for themselves. With over 20 alleged violent gang members off the streets and multiple cases underway, it’s clear that the office is making a real difference in the lives of Virginians.