Attorney General Jeff Sessions today directed federal
prosecutors nationwide to engage in a focused effort to investigate, prosecute
and deter the most violent offenders.
This builds on the announcement last week of the creation of
the U.S. Department of Justice Task Force on Crime Reduction and Public Safety,
which is central to the Attorney General’s commitment to combatting illegal
immigration and violent crime, such as drug trafficking, gang violence and gun
crimes, and to restoring public safety to all of the nation’s communities.
“Turning back our nation’s recent rise in violent crime is a
top priority for the Department of Justice, and it requires decisive action
from our federal prosecutors,” said Attorney General Sessions. “I’m urging each of them to continue working
closely with their counterparts at all levels, and to use every tool we have to
put violent offenders behind bars and keep our citizens safe.”
In a memo to federal prosecutors in the department’s 94
United States Attorney’s Offices, the Attorney General made clear that
prosecuting violent criminals is a high priority and prosecutors should work
closely with their federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement partners to
target the most violent offenders in each district. Working together, law enforcement at every
level should determine which venue – federal or state – would best get those
identified immediately off our streets and punished appropriately for their
crimes.
The memo states when federal prosecution is determined appropriate,
federal prosecutors should ensure the individuals driving violent crime in
their district are prosecuted using the tools at their disposal, which may
include firearms offenses, including possession and straw purchasing offenses;
possession of a firearm during and in relation to a violent crime or drug
trafficking offense; Hobbs Act robbery; carjacking; violent crime in aid of
racketeering; Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act; and drug
offenses under the Controlled Substances Act, among others.
The Attorney General recognized that many offices are
already employing these strategies and asked that those offices ensure their
efforts are achieving the desired results.
Additional guidance and support in executing this priority
will be forthcoming.
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