Attorney General Pamela Bondi announced award recipients at the U.S. Department of Justice Seventy-Third Annual Awards Ceremony held at the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building."It is my distinct honor working alongside so many outstanding men and women," said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. "The commitment to justice, devotion to duty, and selfless service demonstrated each day by our colleagues deserves to be recognized and celebrated.
I extend my gratitude to this year's award recipients for their remarkable service and to their families, colleagues, and partners who support them in this incredible mission."The Department of Justice hosts the annual Attorney General’s Awards to recognize the incredible achievements of its employees and law enforcement partners. The individuals and teams being honored represent the very best of the Department—each of them selected for acts of service that are aligned with the Department of Justice's core mission: upholding the rule of law, keeping the American people safe, and protecting civil rights. The awardees include attorneys, investigators, law enforcement officers, support staff, and many others who have made extraordinary efforts.The Attorney General Awards include recognition for:Excellence in Law EnforcementExcellence in ManagementExcellence in Technology or PrivacyExcellence in Furthering the Interests of U.S. National SecurityExcellence in Legal SupportExcellence in Administration SupportK-9 AwardAdditionally, the John Marshall Awards recognize outstanding professional achievements by attorneys at the U.S.
Department of Justice. These awards are designed to recognize attorneys' outstanding achievements either in trial or litigation, participation in litigation or support of litigation:Excellence in LitigationExcellence in Providing Legal AdviceExcellence in Appellate LitigationAttorney General Awards were also presented for the following achievements:Award Asset ForfeitureAward for Fraud PreventionOutstanding External ContributionsRising Star AwardEdward H. Levi Award for Outstanding Professionalism and Exemplary IntegrityWilliam French Smith Award for Outstanding Contribution to Cooperative Law EnforcementCommitment to Advancing Justice AwardOutstanding Contributions by a New EmployeeFinally, the Attorney General presented the following awards, considered the three highest awards at the Department of Justice.The Mary C. Lawton Lifetime Service AwardExceptional HeroismDistinguished ServiceBelow is the list of the award recipients, award citations, and summaries of achievement:THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN LAW ENFORCEMENTThis award recognizes outstanding professional achievement by a law enforcement officer of the U.S.
Department of Justice.Group Name:Michael Pratt Investigation TeamAward Citation:Honored for the relentless pursuit in the investigation, apprehension, and prosecution of a Complex Sex Trafficking Ring Responsible for the Victimization of Over 573 victims.Synopsis:This team is nominated for relentlessly pursuing justice against a complex sex trafficking enterprise led by FBI Top Ten Most Wanted Fugitive Michael James Pratt circa 2010 through 2019 operating primarily in the Southern District of California and extending across the United States (U.S.) and abroad. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN MANAGEMENTThis award recognizes outstanding administrative or managerial achievements which have significantly improved the operations or productivity of the Department or have reduced costs.Group Name:DAAGs Alvarez and TaylorAwards Citation:Honored for delivering transformational, enterprise level management results that strengthened the Department’s efficiency, fiscal integrity, and mission readiness during a period of sweeping administrative change. Christopher AlvarezDeputy Assistant Attorney GeneralControllerJustice Management DivisionWilliam N. Taylor IIDeputy Assistant Attorney GeneralManagement and ComplianceJustice Management Division Synopsis:Deputy Assistant Attorneys General (DAAGs) Christopher Alvarez and William Taylor delivered transformational, enterprise level management results that strengthened the Department’s efficiency, fiscal integrity, and mission readiness during a period of sweeping administrative change.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN MANAGEMENTAward Citation:Honored for exceptional service as Acting Director of the Executive Office for Immigration Review. Sirce E. OwenAppellate Immigration JudgeBoard of Immigration AppealsExecutive Office for Immigration Review Synopsis:Judge Owen is an accomplished Appellate Immigration Judge who stepped into the highest leadership role in EOIR at a pivotal time. Her dedicated service to the Department of Justice and EOIR was critical to implementing important new Administration priorities related to immigration, national security, and the rule of law.
Under her leadership, EOIR’s pending caseload was reduced by 10%, or over 400,000 cases. She also restored the Agency’s mission to adjudicate cases in a fair, impartial, and expeditious manner. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN TECHNOLOGY OR PRIVACYThis award recognizes outstanding contributions by U.S. Department of Justice employees in applying information technology to improve the operations or productivity of the Department, reduce or avoid costs, or solve problems, as well as recognizing outstanding achievements in privacy law, policy, and compliance.Group Name:Matrix Implementation TeamAward Citation:Honored for exceptional effort and diligence in the sweeping modernization of USAO-DC's Case Management System.
Jeffrey WojcikDepartment Chief, SCGCCIUDistrict of ColumbiaExecutive Office for United States Attorney and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys Petula CoonDerek MeeksSupervisor IT SpecialistDistrict of ColumbiaExecutive Office for United States Attorney andthe Office of the U.S. Attorneys Kori ArsenaultParalegal SpecialistDistrict of ColumbiaExecutive Office for United States Attorney and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys Roopa DasariIT SpecialistDistrict of ColumbiaExecutive Office for United States Attorney and the Office of the U.S.
Attorneys Jessica MoffattProgram Analyst (Chief of Staff)District of ColumbiaExecutive Office for United States Attorney and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys Alex ReberInformation Technology Program ManagerOffice of the Chief Information OfficerExecutive Office for United States Attorney and the Office of the U.S. AttorneysSynopsis:The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia (USAO-DC) Matrix Implementation Team led a sweeping modernization of the office’s long-outdated case management system, culminating in the successful deployment of the Matrix platform in 2025. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN TECHNOLOGY OR PRIVACYGroup Name:Immigration Enforcement Efficiency EnhancementAward Citation:Honored for exceptional innovation in developing real-time mobile and case management technologies to track immigration, TCO, and FTO enforcement data for the DOJ.Brandon J.
LeachBranch Chief/Intelligence Research Specialist Geospatial and Intelligence Systems BranchBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms andExplosives Christopher BaileyKatherine E. BradyRichard M. NietoProject OfficerSpartan Program Management BranchBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Gregory W. DreaperNational Geospatial Program ManagerGeospatial and Intelligence Systems BranchBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Cory J.
SchleyerIntelligence Operations Specialist Geospatial and Intelligence Systems BranchBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and ExplosivesJohn CookProject ManagerSpartan Program Management BranchBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Synopsis:The Immigration and TCO Enforcement Data Modernization Team is nominated for the Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Technology for their transformative work in establishing a real-time data collection ecosystem supporting high-priority DOJ and Administration initiatives. To address the urgent need for accurate intelligence on immigration enforcement operations, Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs), and Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), the team developed a dual-front technological solution. The team conceptualized and deployed the ATF’s mobile application for operational reporting, allowing Special Agents to transmit real-time data on arrests, geolocations, and interagency support directly from the field. This innovation replaced labor-intensive manual reporting, significantly reducing administrative overhead and providing Executive Leadership with immediate operational visibility.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN FURTHERING THE INTERESTS OF U.S. NATIONAL SECURITYThis award recognizes a special act or service that has greatly contributed to furthering the interests of national security by protecting citizens and infrastructure, contributing to successful high-profile investigations, or participating in prosecutions in the areas of foreign counterintelligence, terrorism, or espionage.Group Name:Miami Field Division Counternarcotic Cyber Investigations Task Force (CCITF)Award Citation:Excellence in furthering the interests of U.S. National Security by Assisting with the U.S. fentanyl epidemic and the DEA “One Pill Can Kill” Program.Synopsis:This team is nominated for its historic achievement in working to thwart the global fentanyl supply chain by targeting China and India-based chemical manufacturers who played a key role in the manufacturing, selling, and importing ton quantities of fentanyl precursor chemicals into the U.S. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN LEGAL SUPPORTThis award recognizes outstanding achievements in the field of legal support to attorneys.Awards Citation:Honored in Excellence in Legal Support Tria YangLegal AssistantBaltimore Immigration CourtExecutive Office for Immigration Review Synopsis:Since 2016, Ms.
Yang has been a cornerstone of both detained and non-detained dockets at the Baltimore and York Immigration Courts. As a subject matter expert, she was the cornerstone of the Immigration Court’s electronic file pilot program, Judicial Tools, translating complex court needs into functional IT updates that now benefit the entire agency. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORTThis award recognizes outstanding administrative or managerial achievements (e.g., human resources, financial management, information technology, and general non-legal administrative support).Award Citation:Exceptional administrative support in leading the reorganization of several hundred employees to the Criminal Division. Brandon M.
MorrisonChief Administrative DirectorOffice of AdministrationCriminal Division Synopsis:Brandon Morrison was integral in planning and executing a series of complex reorganizations into and within the Criminal Division in 2025. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORTAward Citation:Excellence in the administrative support of efforts to combat violent crime in New Mexico. Amanda L. WalmsleyInvestigative AnalystAlbuquerque III Field OfficeBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Synopsis:Investigative Analyst (IA) Amanda Walmsley is an ideal team player – humble, hungry, and smart.
Since joining ATF, IA Walmsley’s work ethic and enthusiasm have been invaluable, ensuring that the work she supports is carried out efficiently, and with the necessary resources. She embraces the duties of her position and is always the first to volunteer for assignments of all shapes and sizes, including those that many would perceive to be tedious or undesirable. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORTAward Citation:Honored for her unwavering commitment to the Federal Bureau of Prisons and her excellence in providing administrative support. Amilene WachterWarden SecretaryFederal Correction Complex AllenwoodBureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System Synopsis:Ms.
Wachter is a dedicated government employee with over 28 years of exemplary service. As the Complex Warden’s Secretary, she manages complex-level meetings and events, executive scheduling, budget oversight, Community Relations Board coordination, Administrative Remedies, Sentence Reduction and Compassionate Release processing under the First Step Act, and ensures all documentation is accurate and ready for Warden approval. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR TOP K-9 OR K-9 TEAMThis award recognizes outstanding work done by a federal service K-9 or K-9 Team in support of the Department’s mission and every day encounters with the real world. Award Citation:Honored for exceptional service in linking violent crime cases through K-9 ballistic evidence recovery in Houston, TX.
Jim OsburgSpecial Agent Canine HandlerHouston Field DivisionBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and ExplosivesK-9 LadyCanineHouston Field DivisionBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and ExplosivesSynopsis:Special Agent Jim Osburg and ATF K9 Lady have established themselves as one of the most effective K9 teams supporting violent crime investigations in the Houston area. During FY 2025, they conducted 160 evidence-related searches, recovering more than 843 pieces of ballistic and firearms evidence and generating 123 NIBIN hits. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR TOP K-9 OR K-9 TEAMAward Citation:Honored for actions of SACH Michael McGrath, through his training, intuition, heroism and overall courage, saved countless law enforcement officer’s lives that morning. Michael McGrathSpecial Agent Canine HandlerKansas City FieldBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and ExplosivesK-9 DiggsCanineKansas City FieldBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and ExplosivesSynopsis:SACH McGrath and his canine partner, “Diggs,” were responsible for assisting not only ATF, but the surrounding State, Federal and local partner agencies in the search and recovery of explosives, and ballistic and firearm related evidence at the scenes of violent crimes.
SACH McGrath and his actions saved the lives of several St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Officers on the morning of May 9, 2025. THE JOHN MARSHALL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN LITIGATIONThis award recognizes outstanding professional achievement by attorneys only of the U.S. Department of Justice.
The award is designed to recognize attorneys outstanding achievement either in trial or litigation, participation in litigation or support of litigation.Group Name:Curtailing Universal Injunctions Litigation TeamAward Citation:Honored for exceptional service in advancing arguments at all levels of the judicial system to curtail universal injunctions. Curtis E. GannonDeputy Solicitor GeneralOffice of the Solicitor General Harry S. GraverVivek SuriAssistant to the Solicitor GeneralOffice of the Solicitor General Brandley A.
HinshelwoodAssistant DirectorAppellate StaffCivil Division Kathleen C. JacobsTrial AttorneyFederal ProgramsCivil Division Sharon M. SwingleDeputy DirectorAppellate StaffCivil Division Derek L. WeissTrial AttorneyAppellate StaffCivil DivisionSynopsis:In Trump v.
CASA, Inc., the Supreme Court issued a landmark decision limiting the use of universal injunctions, holding that such injunctions exceed the judicial power of courts unless necessary to provide a named plaintiff with complete relief. Before this decision, plaintiffs challenging government policies could obtain nationwide injunctive relief in a single court, effectively blocking implementation of policies across the entire country on an expedited basis. This practice allowed plaintiffs to forum-shop by filing lawsuits in jurisdictions they perceived as favorable, requiring the government to prevail in every case, while plaintiffs needed to win only once. The DOJ litigation team defended multiple simultaneous lawsuits challenging the Executive Order and strategically developed arguments addressing the constitutional merits as well as the scope of injunctive relief itself.
THE JOHN MARSHALL AWARD FOR PROVIDING LEGAL ADVICEThis award recognizes an attorney or group furnishing sound legal opinions and expertise, supported by appropriate documentation and research, in areas involving significant litigation or matters of importance to the Government.Award Citation:Honored for exceptional service in securing the expulsion of 55 High-Value Fugitives and Cartel Leaders under Mexico’s National Security Law. Bethany A. AllenJorge A. KotelanskiTrial AttorneyOffice of International AffairsCriminal DivisionRocio ZamudioDepartment of Justice Attache’Office of International AffairsCriminal Division Synopsis:OIA oversaw the first two transfers of high-priority fugitives from Mexico to the United States under Mexico's National Security law.
The first transfer of 29 fugitives from Mexico occurred in February 2025, followed by a second transfer of 26 fugitives in August 2025. Transferred fugitives included Rafael Caro Quintero, who organized the torture and killing of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena-Salazar and Abdual Karim Conteh, the leader of an organization responsible for smuggling migrants from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. THE JOHN MARSHALL AWARD FOR APPELLATE LITIGATIONThis award recognizes the entire spectrum of legal efforts involved in presenting the Government’s major cases in appellate courts, including the presentation of oral arguments, and supervising or participating in the preparation of written briefs.Group Name:Global Health Council v. USAID Litigation TeamAward Citation:Honored for Appellate Litigation to the Global Health Council v.
USAID Litigation Team. Zoe JacobyAssistant to the Solicitor GeneralOffice of the Solicitor General Christopher EdelmanSean JandaJoshua SchopfBrian SpringerIndraneel SurTrial AttorneyCivil DivisionDaniel TennySenior Level Appellate CounselCivil Division Synopsis:The team is nominated for its extraordinary work on Global Health Council v. USAID. This litigation arose out of the President’s determination that certain previous foreign-aid spending does not reflect American values and interests and his direction to relevant agencies to ensure that, moving forward, those funds are disbursed to support programs that align with the President’s policy priorities.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR ASSET FORFEITUREThis award recognizes outstanding legal efforts or other actions by employees from any Component of the Department in support of the Government’s asset forfeiture programs.Group Name:The Venezuela Tanker Seizure TeamAward Citation:Honored for investigating and seizing three oil tankers that were used by Venezuela, Iran, and others to Generate Revenue for Terrorist Organizations. Margaret MoeserChiefMoney Laundering, Narcotics, and Forfeiture SectionCriminal DivisionMichael DiLorenzoDeputy ChiefDistrict of ColumbiaExecutive Office for United States Attorneyand the Office of the U.S. AttorneysSean HeidenActing Deputy ChiefCounterintelligence and Export Control Section National Security DivisionGene PattonDeputy ChiefMoney Laundering, Narcotics, and Forfeiture SectionProgram Operations UnitCriminal DivisionRajbir DattaAssistant United States AttorneyDistrict of ColumbiaExecutive Office for United States Attorney and the Office of the U.S. AttorneysCindy R.
BurnhamSpecial AgentMinneapolis Field OfficeFederal Bureau of InvestigationSynopsis:The Venezuela Tanker Seizure Team is nominated for the Attorney General’s Award for Asset Forfeiture for its extraordinarily successful investigations and seizures of three very large crude carrier (VLCC) oil tankers that were used by Venezuela, Iran, and others to generate revenue in support of rogue regimes and terrorist organizations. The team demonstrated exceptional creativity, perseverance, determination, and dedication to the pursuit of justice and in helping enforce the President’s oil quarantine imposed against the illegitimate Maduro regime in Venezuela. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR FRAUD PREVENTIONThis award recognizes those who have been involved with the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of fraud and other white-collar crimes.Group Name:Operation Gold RushAward Citation:Honored for exceptional service in the investigation and prosecution of over $10 Billion Health Care Fraud Scheme by a Transnational Criminal Organization. Andres Q.
AlmendarezSara E. PorterLeonid SandlarTrial AttorneyFraud SectionCriminal DivisionPatrick GiffordData AnalystFraud SectionCriminal DivisionKevin P. LowellShankar RamamurthyAssistant Deputy ChiefFraud SectionCriminal DivisionDavid C. NelsonAssistant U.S.
AttorneyDistrict of ConnecticutExecutive Office for United States Attorney and the Office of the U.S. AttorneysSarah CalgreenDeputy U.S. MarshalDistrict of ConnecticutUnited States Marshals Service Synopsis:A nationwide investigation known as Operation Gold Rush resulted in the largest loss amount ever charged in a health care fraud case brought by the Department. These charges were announced in the Eastern District of New York, the Northern District of Illinois, the Central District of California, the Middle District of Florida, and the District of New Jersey, and included charges brought against defendants who were apprehended in Estonia as a result of international cooperation with Estonian law enforcement and defendants who were arrested at U.S. airports and the U.S. border with Mexico, cutting off their intended escape routes as they attempted to avoid capture.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING EXTERNAL CONTRIBUTIONSThis award recognizes individuals or teams who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and skill in fostering collaboration between government agencies and community stakeholders to enhance public safety or have rendered exceptionally helpful assistance to the Department in high-visibility litigation.Award Citation:Honored for outstanding external contributions in support of animal welfare. Lauree SimmonsPresident and FounderBig Dog Ranch Rescue Synopsis:Right before January 1, 2026, Lauree Simmons, the founder of Big Dog Ranch Rescue, received horrific information about animal abuse happening at a Texas breeding ranch with more than 100 dogs living in squalor. Within hours, Ms. Simmons and her team brought the matter to the attention of the Department of Justice.
The FBI and USDA then executed a search warrant, deeming the dogs unsafe to remain on the property. Ms. Simmons and her organization ultimately saved more than 50 German Shepherds, placing many in loving homes and housing the rest. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S RISING STAR AWARDThe Attorney General’s Rising Star Award is designed to recognize individual attorneys who have five years or less post law school and significant professional achievements and contributions to the federal government and the Department of Justice mission.Award Citation:Honored for leading the office in indictments, sentencings, and jury trials, indicting 60 cases, 86 defendants, and reviewing hundreds of warrants.
Mac Caille L. PeturssonAssistant United States AttorneyDistrict of AlaskaExecutive Office for United States Attorney and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys Synopsis:In her first year as an AUSA, 2024, Ms. Petursson indicted 34 cases against 37 defendants, reviewed 131 postal drug interdiction warrants, conducted one jury trial.
In her spare time, she authored an article on courtroom psychology for the October 2024 issue of the DOJ Journal of Federal Law and Practice. In 2025, she indicted 26 cases against a total of 49 defendants, including two complex white collar fraud cases, a seven-defendant OCDETF/HSTF fentanyl conspiracy, a five defendant Lacey Act conspiracy, two cartel-related drug conspiracies, and five child sexual exploitation cases. She reviewed an additional 164 postal parcel warrants, more than double the number handled by the rest of the office combined. She received a regional award from the Postal Inspection Service for her exemplary work.
In 2025, she led the office in case openings, pending cases as lead counsel, and was in the top three in sentencings. She authored a second DOJ Journal article, this time on international cooperation in cybercrime prosecutions in the March 2025 issue. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S RISING STAR AWARDAward Citation:Honored for the Attorney General’s Award for a rising star for the Civil Division’s Appellate Staff. Derek L.
WeissTrial AttorneyAppellate StaffCivil Division Synopsis:Derek Weiss, an attorney on the Civil Division’s Appellate Staff, is widely recognized as a rising star at the DOJ. Mr. Weiss, who attended Yale Law School after a decade-long career in private equity, joined the Department in October 2024 following clerkships with Hon. Kevin Newsom on the Eleventh Circuit and Hon.
Neomi Rao on the D.C. Circuit. He immediately became an essential part of the litigation team defending some of the Department’s most significant matters to date. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S RISING STAR AWARDAward Citation:Honored for outsized role to protect houses of worship utilizing and pursuing the criminal investigation of a nationally significant assassination.
Orlando SonzaCounselOffice of the Assistant Attorney GeneralCivil Rights Division Synopsis:Counsel Orlando Sonza has rapidly distinguished himself taking on an outsized role pursuing three critical, priority matters. First, Mr. Sonza played a pivotal role in United States v. Party for Socialism and Liberation, et al., the first civil FACE Act case ever brought by DOJ to protect a house of worship, arising from an attack against a synagogue in West Orange, New Jersey.
Second, Mr. Sonza continues to help lead the ongoing federal investigation into the assassination of Charlie Kirk, one of the most sensitive and consequential matters currently handled by the Civil Rights Division. Lastly and most recently, Mr. Sonza was instrumental in helping lead the investigation and indictment of Don Lemon et al. in the case involving an attack on Cities Church in St.
Paul, Minnesota. THE EDWARD H. LEVI AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONALISM AND EXEMPLARY INTEGRITYThis award honors the memory and achievements of former Attorney General Edward H. Levi, whose career as an attorney, law professor and dean, and public servant exemplified these qualities in the best traditions of the Department.Award Citation:Recognized for exceptional service in responding to violent protest in Los Angeles.
Frances S. LewisChief, General CrimesCentral District of CaliforniaExecutive Office for United States Attorneyand the Office of the U.S. Attorneys Synopsis:General Crimes Section Chief AUSA Frances Lewis exemplifies the best traditions of the Department of Justice in showing dedication, leadership, and courage in mobilizing the response of the United States Attorney's Office for the Central District of California to the civil unrest in Los Angeles arising out of federal immigration enforcement actions. Since June 2025, Chief Lewis and the General Crimes Section have filed criminal complaints against over 100 individuals who have committed violence at protests or otherwise tried to interfere with federal immigration enforcement, including by assaulting federal officers.
THE EDWARD H. LEVI AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONALISM AND EXEMPLARY INTEGRITYAward Citation:Recognized for outstanding professionalism and exemplary integrity in the performance of duties. Michael MoranReEntry Affairs CoordinatorFMC DevensBureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System Synopsis:In September 2024, Reentry Affairs Coordinator Michael Moran demonstrated exceptional professionalism, integrity, and leadership by conceptualizing and leading the development of a virtual Pre/Reentry presentation designed to educate newly sentenced individuals and their families about the federal incarceration and reentry process. WILLIAM FRENCH SMITH AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO COOPERATIVE LAW ENFORCEMENTThis award honors the memory and achievements of former Attorney General William French Smith for his establishment of Law Enforcement Coordinating Committees and his outstanding efforts in promoting law enforcement cooperation and coordination throughout the Nation.
The William French Smith award recognizes state and local law enforcement officials who, through their participation in cooperative interagency efforts, have made significant contributions to law enforcement endeavors and objectives.Group Name: D.C. Metropolitan Police Department D.C. Crime Emergency LeadershipAward Citation:Honored for exceptional law enforcement cooperation by providing instrumental efforts in developing an interagency infrastructure and execution framework. Jeffrey W.
CarrollChief of PoliceD.C. Metropolitan Police DepartmentJason BagshawCommanderSpecial Operation DivisionD.C. Metropolitan Police Department Synopsis:The United States Marshals Service (USMS) nominated the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department D.C.
Crime Emergency Leadership Team consisting of Chief of Police Jeffrey Carroll and Commander Jason Bagshaw of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) for the William French Smith Award for Outstanding Contributions to Cooperative Law Enforcement for their exceptional leadership and instrumental efforts developing the interagency operational concept, infrastructure, and execution framework. WILLIAM FRENCH SMITH AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO COOPERATIVE LAW ENFORCEMENTAward Citation:Recognized for excellence in cooperative law enforcement for Spearheading Federal Surge Efforts and Securing $727M in Department of Homeland Security Funding to Support Agents and Title 8 Enforcement. Colin M. McDonaldAssistant United States AttorneyCalifornia Southern DistrictExecutive Office for United StatesAttorney and the Office of the United States Attorneys Synopsis:Colin is recommended for the William French Smith Award for Outstanding Contributions to Cooperative Law Enforcement.
Over the past year, Colin has made significant contributions to cooperative law enforcement endeavors by spearheading the Department's surge efforts, overseeing a portfolio of law enforcement components, participating in the DC Safe & Beautiful Law Enforcement Hiring efforts, establishing and securing $15 million in Department of Homeland Security (DHS) One Big Beautiful Bill funding for Special Act Awards process for Law Enforcement staff supporting Title 8 Immigration Enforcement, and securing $712 million in funding from DHS Homeland Security Task Forces One Big Beautiful Bill funding to support agents in the Department’s law enforcement components. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR COMMITMENT TO ADVANCING JUSTICE AWARDThis award recognizes individuals or teams who have made exceptional contributions to the investigation and resolution of long-standing cold cases. It honors the dedication, persistence, and investigative excellence required to revisit unresolved cases and pursue justice years—sometimes decades—after the original investigation.Group Name:US v. James Williams (Murder-for-hire)Award Citation:This award recognizes exceptional service in the investigation and prosecution of conspiracies to commit murder for hire in Michigan.
Mark S. BilkovicTare WigodAssistant United States AttorneysCriminalExecutive Office for United States Attorney and the Office of the United States Attorneys Synopsis:In 2013, Clifton Page was bound with duct tape and executed in his home in Detroit, Michigan. Three years later, Assistant United States Attorneys Mark Bilkovic and A. Tare Wigod began their investigation of this murder.
Through a multi-year investigation—and an immense amount of hard work— the AUSAs solved the murder of Page, five other cold-case murders, and three attempted murders. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR COMMITMENT TO ADVANCING JUSTICE AWARDGroup Name:Bowling Green, Kentucky Cold CaseAward Citation:This award recognizes excellence in cold case resolution for using advanced forensic DNA to solve the 1996 abduction of Morgan Violi and secure justice after thirty years. Kyle G. BumgarnerAssistant United States AttorneyDistrict of Western KentuckyExecutive Office for United States Attorney and the Office of the United States Attorneys Brian P.
ButlerFirst Assistant United States AttorneyDistrict of Western KentuckyExecutive Office for United StatesAttorney and the Office of the UnitedStates Attorneys Renee S. ChouinardSpecial AgentLouisville Field OfficeFederal Bureau of InvestigationDavid GrimsleyDetectiveBowling Green Police Department CriminalInvestigations Division William B. KurtzSupervisory Special AgentLouisville Field OfficeFederal Bureau of Investigation Eric L. StroudSpecial AgentLouisville Field OfficeFederal Bureau of Investigation Laura M.
StumpIntelligence AnalystLouisville Field OfficeFederal Bureau of Investigation Synopsis:On July 24, 1996, seven-year-old Morgan Violi was abducted while playing outside her apartment complex in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Despite an immediate and extensive search, the case remained unsolved for decades, leaving a family and community without answers. Years later, investigators revisited the evidence (one which was fiber recovered from Morgan’s hair) using advanced forensic DNA technology, uncovering new leads that ultimately identified a suspect, Robert S. Froberg.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR COMMITMENT TO ADVANCING JUSTICE AWARDGroup Name:Operation Sombra De La Bestia (Shadow of the Beast)Award Citation:This award recognizes excellence in the use of multiple investigative techniques and multi-agency collaboration for the investigation of four gang cold-case murders during Operation Sombra De La Bestia (Shadow of the Beast). Brian N. DobbinsChief, Special ProsecutionsSouthern District of FloridaExecutive Office for United States Attorney and the Office of the United States Attorneys Elena Smukler-DominguezAssistant United States AttorneySouthern District of FloridaExecutive Office for United States Attorney and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys Manolo Reboso Jr.Executive Assistant United States AttorneySouthern District of FloridaExecutive Office for United States Attorney and the Office of the United States Attorneys Hayden P.
O’ByrneSpecial Counsel to theUnited States AttorneySouthern District of FloridaExecutive Office for United States Attorney and the Office of the U.S. AttorneysNathan K. FergusonSupervisory Special AgentMiami Field OfficeFederal Bureau of Investigation Robert DrakeDetectivePalm Beach Sheriff’s Office Andrew GianinoDetectiveBroward County Sheriff’s Office Davis HernandezJuan MirandaBorder Patrol AgentKentucky Western DistrictU.S. Customs and Border Protection Ashley L.
LawParalegalSouthern District of FloridaExecutive Office for United States Attorney and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys Synopsis:Awarded for their efforts in a multi-jurisdictional investigation focused on a series of four unsolved gang related murders committed by MS-13 members between November 2014 to October 2015. THE MARY C. LAWTON LIFETIME SERVICE AWARDThis award recognizes employees who have served at least 20 years in the Department and who have demonstrated high standards of excellence and dedication throughout their careers.Award Citation:Honored for demonstrating exceptional creativity and legal analysis to make the best use of electronic evidence in the Department's most important cases.
Nathan JudishTrial AttorneyComputer Crime & Intellectual Property SectionCriminal Division Synopsis:Over the last 25 plus years, nothing has transformed the law or life more than computers. During that time, Nathan Judish has been the United States’ leading expert on the law of electronic evidence. Nathan has argued numerous cases of first impression before Magistrate Judges, District Judges, and a majority of the Courts of Appeals (3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th Circuits, including end banc arguments), in addition to preparing the Office of Solicitor General in a number of cases before the Supreme Court of the United States. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR EXCEPTIONAL HEROISMThis award recognizes exceptional heroism designed to recognize an extraordinary act of courage or voluntary risk of life during the performance of duty.Award Citation:Honored for bravery and selfless extraordinary act of courage or voluntary risk of life during the performance of duty.
John ThompsonSpecial AgentCleveland Field OfficeFederal Bureau of Investigation Synopsis:On July 23, 2025, FBI SA John Thompson responded with two Lorain detectives to the scene of what was later determined to be an ambush of police by a bad actor. The shooter pulled his car into a cul-de-sac in a position perpendicular to the police cruisers, exited his vehicle and opened fire with a semi-automatic rifle, mortally wounding Officer Phillip Wagner and then retreated to his car and pulled out a cache of semi-automatic rifles in various firing positions around his vehicles. SA Thompson arrived at the scene and was met with rifle shots fired in his direction. SA Thompson observed Officer Brent Payne running toward him and away from the shooter, who was still firing at Officer Payne.
SA Thompson observed Officer Payne struck by bullets and go down. SA Thompson bravely and courageously ran in the direction of the gunfire to reach the downed officer and remove him from the barrage of oncoming fire. SA Thompson applied lifesaving first aid in the form of a tourniquet to Officer Payne’s arms, and injured leg and then removed the officer to the hospital. The Captain who oversaw the investigation told the FBI Cleveland Executive Management that SA Thompson’s actions undoubtedly saved Officer Payne’s life.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICEThis is the second highest award granted by the Attorney General and recognizes outstanding service and commitment to the Department.Group Name:Southwest Border Group 1Award Citation:Honored for exceptional service in dismantling major cartel-linked Operating in U.S. and abroad.Synopsis:Southwest Border Group 1 (SWB1) of the Los Angeles Field Division (LAFD) displayed exceptional service in furtherance of the DEA’s mission by its investigations into multiple Narco Terrorist Groups operating in locations such as Mexico, Colombia, Spain, South America, France, Belgium, Canada, and the United States. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICEGroup Name:Joint Task Force Vulcan (JTFV)Award Citation:Honored for distinguished service in the investigation and prosecution of Foreign Terrorist Organizations MS-13 and Teren de Aragua (TdA). Christopher A. EastonJacob E.
WarrenCo-DirectorJoint Task Force VulcanOffice of the Deputy Attorney General Jeremy I. FrankerDavid C. SmithDeputy DirectorJoint Task Force VulcanOffice of the Deputy Attorney GeneralAngel L. MartinezChief of IntelligenceJoint Task Force VulcanOffice of the Deputy Attorney General Andrew K.
ChanJulie A. ChildressKatelan M. DoyleGilberto Guerrero Jr.Jason M. HarleyJames KellerKelly J.
McGannJacob H. OperskalskiJosephine W. ThomasJun XiangTrial AttorneyJoint Task Force VulcanOffice of the Deputy Attorney General Synopsis:Collectively, the nominees enabled a coordinated national takedown in December 2025 spanning the Districts of Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, the Southern District of New York, and the Southern District of Texas, charging more than 70 TdA leaders and members in a unified enforcement action. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICEAward Citation:Honored for exceptional service during the DCA Midair Collision involving a commercial aircraft and a U.S.
Army UH-60-L helicopter, resulting in 67 fatalities.Timothy J. DietzLaura M. JanowskiSupervisory Special AgentLaboratory DivisionFederal Bureau of Investigation John LongmireSupervisory Special AgentCyber DivisionFederal Bureau of Investigation Bryan T. JohnsonPhysical ScientistLaboratory DivisionFederal Bureau of Investigation Melissa LawrenceJoseph G.
MarxSpecial AgentWashington Field OfficeFederal Bureau of InvestigationStephen T. MelsonSupervisory Forensic Operations Specialist Laboratory DivisionFederal Bureau of Investigation Gerald L. RobertsForensic Operations SpecialistLaboratory DivisionFederal Bureau of InvestigationSynopsis:FBI Laboratory Division’s Evidence Response Team Unit (ERTU), Technical Hazardous Response Unit (THRU), Disaster Victim Identification Squad (DVIS) as part of the Latent Print Operations Unit (LPOU), and Washington Field Office Underwater Search and Evidence Response Team (USERT), Evidence Response Team (ERT), and Hazardous Evidence Response Team (HERT) are being nominated for their demonstration of extraordinary courage, competence, and professionalism during the response to the DCA Midair Collision involving a commercial aircraft and a U.S. Army UH-60-L helicopter, which resulted in the loss of 67 lives and both aircrafts entering the Potomac River.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S DAVID MARGOLIS AWARD FOR EXCEPTIONAL SERVICEThis is the highest award granted by the Attorney General within the U.S. Department of Justice. It is named in honor of former Associate Deputy Attorney General, David Margolis, one of the senior-most career employees at the Department of Justice, who served over 50 years in many key roles.Group Name:Washington D.C. Safe & Beautiful Task Force - U.S.
Marshals Service Leadership TeamAward Citation:Honored for a successful operation under pressure, delivering record-setting results while leading a prominent federal violent-crime reduction operation. Gadyaces S. SerraltaDirectorUnited States Marshals Service Michelle C. HamiltonDonald SniderChiefInvestigative Operations DivisionUnited States Marshals Service David R.
SmithOscar TorresChiefTactical Operations DivisionUnited States Marshals ServiceTristan MartinSenior InspectorInvestigative Operations DivisionUnited States Marshals Service Saturnina ReyesAssistant Chief Deputy U.S. MarshalDistrict of Columbia Superior CourtUnited States Marshals Service Synopsis:On August 9, 2025, President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pamela Bondi appointed the U.S. Marshals Service, under the leadership of Director Gadyaces Serralta, to command the Washington D.C.
Safe & Beautiful Task Force. Director Serralta established an integrated command team to lead incident, operational, and intelligence functions for this unprecedented federal public safety surgeThe Attorney General expresses her appreciation to the following Department officials for their assistance in evaluating the awards nominations. The 2025 award recipients were recommended and selected from a group of highly qualified nominees.ChairpersonTodd Blanche, Deputy Attorney General, Chair or DesigneeMembersStanley Woodward, Associate Attorney General Office of the Associate Attorney GeneralJolene Ann Lauria, Assistant Attorney General for Administration, Justice Management DivisionCatharine Cypher, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Attorney GeneralHayley Conklin, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Attorney GeneralFrancey Hakes, Director, Executive Office for Unites States AttorneysDana Lindblad, Deputy Chief of Staff Office of the Director, United States Marshals ServiceEx Officio MemberJames McHenry, Jr., Acting Principal Associate Deputy Associate Attorney General, Office of the Deputy Attorney GeneralExecutive SecretaryJacqueline D. Jones, Executive Officer, Justice Management Division