Deputy AG Sally Yates, EOUSA Director Monty Wilkinson recognize select employees at event in Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON – An Assistant U.S. Attorney with the Southern District of Mississippi along with two DOJ Civil Rights Division attorneys, a DOJ Civil Rights Division Paralegal, and two FBI agents were among 160 recipients recognized by Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates and Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA) Director Monty Wilkinson at the 32nd annual Director’s Awards Ceremony held in Washington D.C. on June 1, 2016.
The Southern District of Mississippi was one of 33 districts represented at the ceremony which was held in the Great Hall at the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building.
In her prepared remarks, Deputy Attorney General Yates said, “The achievements being recognized today reflect the breadth of the department’s responsibilities, and some of our most significant challenges. From dismantling dangerous gangs, drug cartels and human trafficking operations to tackling political corruption, white collar crimes, and international terrorism, these awardees have taken on our toughest cases. And the citizens of our country are safer because of their work.”
“We honor the truly talented and dedicated legal and administrative personnel in the 94 U.S. Attorneys’ offices and our law enforcement partners who everyday touch lives in our communities, protect the American people, and work to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice,” said Director Wilkinson.
The award for “Superior Performance by a Litigative Team” was given to Assistant U.S. Attorney Glenda R. Haynes, DOJ Trial Attorney Sheldon L. Beer, Deputy Chief Paige M. Fitzgerald of the DOJ Civil Rights Division, Paralegal Specialist Steven Harrell of the DOJ Civil Rights Division, FBI Agent Bradley Hentschel, and FBI Agent Robert H. Ruby for their hard work on U.S v. Dedmon case.
The Dedmon case was a federal hate crime case involving an assault which culminated in the death of James Craig Anderson, an African-American man, in the summer of 2011. The case was historic as it marked the first time that the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act had been used in a case where the defendants’ actions resulted in a victim’s death.
“We are pleased that the U.S. Department of Justice has recognized this trial team for their outstanding contribution to the Department and its mission,” said U.S. Attorney Davis.
EOUSA provides oversight, general executive assistance, and direction to the 94 United States Attorneys’ offices around the country. For more information on EOUSA and its mission, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao.