Lufkin, Texas – In a move to bolster the fight against crime in East Texas, U.S. Attorney John M. Bales announced the hiring of federal prosecutor Lauren Gaston on May 21, 2024 at the Ward R. Burke United States Courthouse.
Gaston was administered the Oath of Office by U.S. Magistrate Judge Zack Hawthorn, surrounded by friends, family, and government officials. This marks a significant development in the Eastern District of Texas, which comprises 43 counties stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to the Oklahoma/Texas border.
The Eastern District of Texas is home to 6 staffed offices, including Lufkin, Beaumont, Tyler, Texarkana, Plano, and Sherman, with a total of 52 federal prosecutors. Gaston joins the Lufkin office, where she will be tasked with prosecuting a wide range of federal crimes, including drug trafficking, white-collar crime, immigration matters, violent crimes, and child pornography.
Gaston brings a wealth of experience to her new role, having started her career as an Assistant District Attorney with the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office in 2005. She later worked as an ADA in the family violence courts, general misdemeanor courts, intake/grand jury division, and general trial courts before joining the Nacogdoches County District Attorney’s Office in 2010.
As a seasoned lawyer, Gaston has handled a variety of felony criminal cases, juvenile matters, and appellate matters. Her appointment is seen as a boost to the district’s efforts to combat crime and ensure justice is served.
Gaston was born and raised in Nacogdoches, Texas, and is a graduate of the Downtown Magnet Law High School in Wichita, Kansas, Stephen F. Austin State University, and the Texas Tech School of Law.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas is committed to upholding the law and protecting the citizens of East Texas. With Gaston on board, the district is poised to take a stronger stance against crime and ensure that those who break the law are held accountable.
The appointment of Lauren Gaston is a testament to the district’s dedication to public service and its commitment to providing justice for all.
Related Federal Cases
- Shannon Tecoko Mays, Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, Texas 2012 · Kansas
- Kenneth Ray Shackelford, Red River Army Depot Fraud, Texas 2007 · Kansas
- Daryl Glenn Johnson, Public Funds Embezzlement, Texas 2023 · Kansas
- Stephen Shane Hall, Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Texas 2013 · Kansas
- Andy Lee House, Wire Fraud, Texas 2023 · Kansas
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Administration & Law Enforcement
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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