Long Island Gets Two New US Attorneys To Fight MS-13

Coming just a day after he announced the appointment of the new Interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the office will be receiving two new Assistant U.S. Attorney's specifically focused on violent crime.

“Led by our 94 United States Attorney’s offices, Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) task forces are hitting the streets across America to apprehend and bring violent criminals to justice,” Sessions said. “I have asked Congress for additional PSN funding because I believe nothing will be more effective at reducing violent crime. Under this program, I am asking a great deal of our United States Attorneys. I am both empowering them and holding them accountable for results.”

The two additional federal prosecutors will enhance the Eastern District of New York's ability to prosecute violent crimes committed by members and associates of MS-13, a transnational criminal organization, with the objective of continuing and increasing the office’s efforts to dismantle and incapacitate the MS-13 within the area and beyond. The prosecutors will also focus on other violent gangs such as the Crips, Bloods, Latin Kings, 18th Street gang, Salvadorans with Pride, and Outlaw motorcycle gangs, all of which have a significant presence in the district.

“The provision of additional Assistant U.S. Attorney positions reflects the commitment of the Department of Justice to reduce violent crime by identifying and prosecuting gang members whose destructive conduct endangers residents of our district,” said United States Attorney Richard Donoghue. “Using every law enforcement resource available, this office and the FBI’s Long Island Gang Task Force will continue to work tirelessly to make our communities safer by bringing to justice those violent criminals who show no regard for human life.”

The Eastern District of New York encompasses Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and Long Island.

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