Related Federal Cases
- DOJ Deploys Election Fraud Task Force in West Virginia · West Virginia
- 24 Charged in West Virginia Meth Ring, Guns Seized · West Virginia
- Ohio Man Johnny D. Floyd Sr. Charged in West Virginia Drug, Firearm Case · West Virginia
- West Virginia Man Pleads Guilty to Gun Purchase Fraud · West Virginia
- West Virginia Narcotics Ring Hits the Irons · Maryland
New Prosecutors Flood West Virginia
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – In a massive effort to combat violent crime, enforce immigration laws, and help roll back the devastating opioid crisis, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart, Southern District of West Virginia, announced that the federal government is allocating a record number of new prosecutors to the state.
The Southern District of West Virginia has been allocated a nearly 15% increase in new prosecutors, making it the largest percentage increase of any district in the nation. The new prosecutors, a total of 311, will focus on priority areas including violent crime, civil enforcement, and immigration.
“Today, I am extremely pleased to announce that the Southern District of West Virginia has been allocated a nearly 15% increase in new prosecutors which represents the largest percentage increase of any district in the nation,” said U.S. Attorney Stuart. “It is not only the largest increase in the country but the largest allocation of new prosecutors in the history of the Southern District of West Virginia. It is a strong, strong endorsement of my efforts to combat the opioid crisis, violent crime, and corruption throughout southern West Virginia.”
The new prosecutors will be split among the following areas: 190 violent crime prosecutors, 86 civil enforcement prosecutors, and 35 additional immigration prosecutors. Many of the civil enforcement AUSA’s will support the newly created Prescription Interdiction & Litigation Task Force which targets the opioid crisis at every level of the distribution system.
“Under President Trump’s strong leadership, the federal government is going on offense against violent crime, illegal immigration, and the opioid crisis—and today we are sending in reinforcements,” said Attorney General Jeff Sessions. “We have a saying in my office that a new federal prosecutor is ‘the coin of the realm.’ When we can eliminate wasteful spending, one of my first questions to my staff is if we can deploy more prosecutors to where they are needed. I have personally worked to re-purpose existing funds to support this critical mission, and as a former federal prosecutor myself, my expectations could not be higher.”
In the Southern District of West Virginia, three (3) new AUSAs will focus on violent crime and one (1) on civil enforcement. At this time, no determination has been made as to whether new prosecutors will be assigned to the Bluefield, Beckley, Charleston or Huntington field offices.
U.S. Attorney Stuart added, “We will use these new positions to intensify our approach to apprehending and locking up drug thugs and violent criminals, prosecuting white collar crime and public corruption, and super-charging an offensive-minded civil practice. I have been on offense since the day I got here and these new reinforcements will super-charge my efforts.”
Follow U.S. Attorney Stuart on Twitter: @USAttyStuart
Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Category: Violent Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
