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The Criminal Division

The Criminal Division is the largest division within the U.S. Attorney’s Office and is organized into three sections: a Financial Crimes, National Security, and Public Corruption Section; a Violent Crimes Section; and a Narcotics, Asset Forfeiture, and Financial Litigation Programs Section. Section.  In addition, each Section includes task forces to focus resources and coordination with law enforcement partners.

Financial Crimes, National Security, and Public Corruption Section

This Section is responsible for the investigation and prosecution of matters that threaten national security with a focus on protecting communities in the Western District of Michigan.  These matters include international and domestic terrorism, counterintelligence, export control to prevent illegal proliferation of military-related and sensitive technological products, terrorist financing, cybercrime by nation-states and their proxies, theft of commercial trade secrets and intellectual property, threats against critical infrastructure, federal facilities and public officials; border security, alien offenses, passport and visa fraud, and other sensitive matters that implicate national security.

This Section works closely with the National Security Cyber Specialist and Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property Coordinator.  Members of the section also are responsible for ensuring that the U.S. Attorney’s Office can effectively and efficiently maintain all legal operations in the event of an emergency in the District.   

This Section also prosecutes a variety of economic crimes, including Ponzi schemes, investment fraud, cryptocurrency fraud, bank fraud, federal tax crimes, bankruptcy fraud, environmental crimes, government program fraud, and public corruption.

Violent Crimes Section

The Violent Crimes Section focuses on all manner of violent federal felonies within three broad categories.  The Section includes: the Project Safe Childhood initiative, which addresses child pornography and exploitation; the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, which works with federal, state and local law enforcement and communities to target violent crime and firearm offenses; and, finally, violent crime in Indian Country, which frequently involves domestic violence and sexual assault. 

Drug Crimes, Asset Forfeiture, and Financial Litigation Section

This Section works to disrupt large scale drug-trafficking organizations, including organizations that qualify for prosecution by the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). This Section also works to ensure sure crime does not pay by forfeiting property through both civil and criminal actions, as well as collecting fines and restitution.

Updated October 11, 2023