United States Attorney Eric Miller has announced his resignation, effective February 10, 2017. In 2015, Miller was appointed to his position by President Barack Obama on the recommendation of Senator Patrick Leahy and was confirmed unanimously by the United States Senate. Since then, he has led the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont, which has 45 employees, including 20 attorneys, who enforce all federal criminal and civil laws in the state.
In announcing his departure, Mr. Miller said, “Serving as Vermont’s United States Attorney has been the highest honor of my career, and I am grateful for the trust placed in me by President Obama, Senator Leahy, and the people of Vermont.” Miller praised his colleagues at the United States Attorney’s Office and commended the work they do on behalf of the people of Vermont. “This is an amazing group of lawyers and staff. The single greatest joy of this job has been supporting their skilled advocacy on positions I am passionate about and which also make life better for Vermonters.”
During Miller’s tenure, the United States Attorney’s Office increased its focus on a statewide, collaborative approach to confronting Vermont’s heroin crisis. Through its Vermont Heroin Initiative, the office partnered with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, healthcare providers, and non-profits to encourage the most effective mix of prosecution, treatment, and education to stem the flow of opiates into the state. Over the past two years, the United States Attorney’s Office has successfully prosecuted scores of significant heroin trafficking conspiracies. The office prioritized the pursuit of human trafficking charges in association with its drug prosecutions. It also produced an award-winning public service announcement and informational campaign designed to increase public awareness of the danger of human trafficking and to provide trafficking victims and survivors with appropriate services. Miller expressed special thanks to the FBI, DEA, ATF, Vermont State Police, HSI, Border Patrol, Secret Service, USMS, CBP, and all of the other federal, state, local law enforcement agencies working closely with his office and with one another to accomplish their joint mission.
Under Miller’s leadership, the United States Attorney’s Office also expanded its civil rights enforcement program, adding a Civil Rights Outreach Specialist and an Assistant United States Attorney dedicated to identifying, investigating, and remedying federal civil rights violations in Vermont. Together with the office’s Civil Rights Coordinator, they engage in outreach designed to build trust and relationships between the United States Attorney’s Office and the communities it serves.
Islam Hassan, the Imam of the Islamic Society of Vermont, said, “Eric and his colleagues have worked to build bridges between their office and the Islamic Society of Vermont. They have become familiar faces at our mosque, and we deeply appreciate their commitment to building relationships with our community.” Through these efforts and others, the office has established itself as a statewide leader in protecting Vermonters’ civil rights.
Throughout his time in office, Mr. Miller has been a visible presence in Vermont’s communities, championing the criminal justice initiatives promoted by President Obama and Attorney General Loretta Lynch through working groups, panel discussions, speeches, and one-on-one meetings with Vermont’s elected leaders, local police departments, and residents.
Rutland’s Mayor, Christopher Louras, said, “Eric and his office have invested enormous energy in Rutland. They have worked with the City to transform former drug houses into safe, affordable, owner-occupied homes that grow our neighborhoods. And when I announced Rutland’s plans to welcome Syrian refugees to our community, Eric publicly voiced his strong support and committed the resources of his office to protecting all Rutland residents, including the newest among us.”
Summing up his thoughts on the Department he is leaving, Miller said, “Whenever I think about the core mission of this place, I always return to a formulation I first heard from Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates: Although much or our most important work involves prosecuting people who break the law, we are not just the Department of Prosecutions, or even the Department of Public Safety. We are the Department of Justice. And I know the men and women of this office will continue to work every day to deliver on the promise of justice for all Vermonters.”
Miller has not yet determined his future professional plans.