RECENT INITIATIVES
In 2005, the Office developed a program known as “Maryland EXILE” to combat gun crime. Under Maryland EXILE, federal prosecutors and agents work closely with state and local authorities to ensure that gun crime results in substantial jail time. They conduct proactive investigations of violent repeat offenders who have not been successfully prosecuted, and they identify criminals arrested on state charges who should face federal prosecution. The program also includes a significant community outreach component, seeking to deter criminals from carrying guns through publicity and targeted call-in programs for high-risk offenders. The program has expanded to focus on violent gangs. That effort that was advanced by two developments in 2009: the hiring of three new federal prosecutors exclusively to investigate and prosecute defendants with gang affiliations and the implementation of gang-prevention presentations for schools throughout the state.
In 2007, the U.S. Attorney’s Office established “Project Safe Childhood,” an initiative to combat child exploitation and abuse. Federal prosecutors work with local and state law enforcement officials to pool intelligence and resources, ensure that offenders receive appropriate sentences, train law enforcement officers and warn parents and children about the increased dangers that children face from pedophiles who use modern communication technologies.
In 2009, the Office joined with partner agencies to create the Maryland Mortgage Fraud Task Force. The Task Force’s goals are to (1) streamline the procedures for criminal mortgage fraud referrals; (2) develop and implement a training program for state and federal investigators and prosecutors who handle mortgage fraud cases; (3) share useful information with and facilitate cooperation among the many agencies that have a stake in these cases; (4) track open investigations to ensure that partners agencies do not duplicate their efforts; (5) pursue asset forfeiture and secure restitution for victims; and (6) communicate information to the public in order to warn people about common schemes and help prevent them from becoming victims of mortgage fraud and related financial crimes.
Also in 2009, the Office created a new unit, the Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section, with three lawyers and two paralegals, to pursue forfeiture of criminal proceeds and restitution for victims in all cases. Assets subject to forfeiture may include the fruits of crime – such as homes and vehicles purchased with criminal proceeds – and also the instrumentalities of crime – such as computers, vehicles and real estate used by criminals.
Other recent initiatives include an Identity Fraud Task Force, a Human Trafficking Task Force and an Environmental Crimes Task Force to coordinate Maryland’s local, state and federal efforts in these important areas. The Office also helps to lead Maryland’s highly regarded Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council. In addition, the Office prosecutes many important cases involving corruption and fraud, violent gangs and significant drug dealing organizations.
FORMER MARYLAND UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS
Former Maryland U.S. Attorneys often remain active in federal or state public service. John C. Rose and Simon E. Sobeloff served as judges of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Walter E. Black, Jr. became a federal district judge. Joseph D. Tydings was elected to the United States Senate. Stephen H. Sachs went on to serve two terms as Maryland’s Attorney General. J. Frederick Motz, Catherine C. Blake and Richard D. Bennett are judges of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. Lynne A. Battaglia is a judge on the Maryland Court of Appeals, the state’s highest court.
FORMER MARYLAND ASSISTANT UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS
Judges Black, Motz, Blake, Bennett and Battaglia all served as Assistant U.S. Attorneys earlier in their careers. Other Assistant U.S. Attorneys who have become federal judges in Maryland include U.S. District Court Judges Andre M. Davis and William D. Quarles Jr. and U.S. Magistrate Judge Beth P. Gesner. Jeffrey S. White became a federal district judge in the Northern District of California.
Clarence E. Goetz and Paul M. Rosenberg served as United States Magistrate Judges in Maryland.
Former Assistant U.S. Attorneys who have served as Maryland state court judges include Court of Special Appeals Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judges Kaye A. Allison, Charles G. Bernstein, Gail E. Raisen, George L. Russell III and Joseph H. H. Kaplan.
Benjamin R. Civiletti, an Assistant U.S. Attorney from 1962 to 1964, later served as Attorney General of the United States.
