1. Coordinating state and federal prosecution of firearms cases

Local prosecutors and police officers are on the front lines in the fight against violent crime. The vast majority of firearms cases in Maryland will continue to be prosecuted by local State’s Attorney’s Offices. Consequently, one of the principal roles of the U.S. Attorney’s Office is to use its resources, and the prospect of federal prosecution, to support the mission of our local prosecutors and police by prosecuting as many significant firearms cases as possible.

In both state and federal court, gun crime = jail time. We will seek pretrial detention in all EXILE cases. If a defendant is arrested with a gun while on state parole or probation, violation proceedings will be started and back-up time will be sought. Federal convictions for gun crimes mean no parole and longer sentences in far away places.

2. Proactive pursuit of violent gangs and violent repeat offenders

Dismantling violent gangs and organizations is one of the primary missions of Maryland EXILE. Maryland EXILE’s team of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies is committed to working proactively to identify violent gangs and the most violent repeat offenders and to devise strategies for getting them off the streets as quickly and effectively as possible.

In Baltimore, the Violent Crime Impact Team (VCIT), a squad of ATF agents and detectives with the Baltimore Police Department, has been engaging in a concentrated law enforcement effort in some of the city’s most violent neighborhoods. The VCIT uses the city’s crime statistics to identify these neighborhoods and conducts proactive law enforcement operations to target violent individuals and organizations in these areas. To date, the VCIT’s efforts have resulted in significant reductions in violent crime in the affected neighborhoods. The VCIT’s ongoing review of the city’s crime statistics will continue to guide its enforcement efforts.