The awards were presented October 19, 2011, during the 59th Annual Attorney General Awards Ceremony at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C.
“This year’s award recipients have made significant contributions across, and far beyond, the Department of Justice and helped to protect the rights, safety and best interests of the citizens we are privileged to serve,” Attorney General Holder said. “I am grateful for the dedication and passion that these extraordinary public servants bring to their work, and I am honored to count them as colleagues.”
“I congratulate Steve and the JTTF members who have been honored with this prestigious award,” stated U.S. Attorney Fein. “Their tireless and superb work helped apprehend an individual who planned to murder many innocent people. Every day the dedicated public servants that comprise the JTTF work to thwart acts of terror, and I’m honored to serve in their company.”
AUSA Reynolds, Connecticut’s JTTF agents and officers, and several other members of federal, state, and local law enforcement were acknowledged for their quick response and coordination that led to the prosecution of Faisal Shahzad of Bridgeport for his attempted bombing in Times Square, New York City, on May 1, 2010. The team was under tremendous pressure to act quickly, and within 72 hours, Shahzad was identified and apprehended as the perpetrator. Throughout the investigation, the team gathered significant intelligence helpful to the U.S. government’s identification of a foreign terrorist organization.
Shahzad pleaded guilty to an indictment charging him with 10 counts of terrorism-related offenses and, on October 5, 2010, he was sentenced to a lifetime term of imprisonment.
AUSA Reynolds has been with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut for approximately nine years and serves as Deputy Chief of the Office’s National Security and Major Crimes Unit. AUSA Reynolds also coordinates the District’s anti-terrorism program, which includes the aggressive investigation and prosecution of national security matters by counter-terrorism prosecutors and investigative agencies, a robust anti-terrorism training program, and the Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council (“ATAC”).
During yesterday’s award ceremony, Attorney General Holder recognized 340 Department of Justice employees and 44 other individuals for their distinguished public service and dedication to carrying out the Department of Justice’s mission.
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