Attorney General Pamela Bondi Announces Award Recipients at the U.S. Department of Justice 73rd Annual Awards Ceremony

Attorney General Pamela Bondi announced award recipients at the U.S. Department of Justice Seventy-Third Annual Awards Ceremony held at the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building.

"It is my distinct honor working alongside so many outstanding men and women," said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. "The commitment to justice, devotion to duty, and selfless service demonstrated each day by our colleagues deserves to be recognized and celebrated. I extend my gratitude to this year's award recipients for their remarkable service and to their families, colleagues, and partners who support them in this incredible mission."

The Department of Justice hosts the annual Attorney General’s Awards to recognize the incredible achievements of its employees and law enforcement partners. The individuals and teams being honored represent the very best of the Department—each of them selected for acts of service that are aligned with the Department of Justice's core mission: upholding the rule of law, keeping the American people safe, and protecting civil rights. The awardees include attorneys, investigators, law enforcement officers, support staff, and many others who have made extraordinary efforts.

The Attorney General Awards include recognition for:

• Excellence in Law Enforcement
• Excellence in Management
• Excellence in Technology or Privacy
• Excellence in Furthering the Interests of U.S. National Security
• Excellence in Legal Support
• Excellence in Administration Support
• K-9 Award

Additionally, the John Marshall Awards recognize outstanding professional achievements by attorneys at the U.S. Department of Justice. These awards are designed to recognize attorneys' outstanding achievements either in trial or litigation, participation in litigation or support of litigation:

• Excellence in Litigation
• Excellence in Providing Legal Advice
• Excellence in Appellate Litigation

Attorney General Awards were also presented for the following achievements:

• Award Asset Forfeiture
• Award for Fraud Prevention
• Outstanding External Contributions
• Rising Star Award
• Edward H. Levi Award for Outstanding Professionalism and Exemplary Integrity
• William French Smith Award for Outstanding Contribution to Cooperative Law Enforcement
• Commitment to Advancing Justice Award
• Outstanding Contributions by a New Employee

Finally, the Attorney General presented the following awards, considered the three highest awards at the Department of Justice.

• The Mary C. Lawton Lifetime Service Award
• Exceptional Heroism
• Distinguished Service

Below is the list of the award recipients, award citations, and summaries of achievement:

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT

This award recognizes outstanding professional achievement by a law enforcement officer of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Group Name:

Michael Pratt Investigation Team

Award Citation:

Honored for the relentless pursuit in the investigation, apprehension, and prosecution of a Complex Sex Trafficking Ring Responsible for the Victimization of Over 573 victims.

Synopsis:

This team is nominated for relentlessly pursuing justice against a complex sex trafficking enterprise led by FBI Top Ten Most Wanted Fugitive Michael James Pratt circa 2010 through 2019 operating primarily in the Southern District of California and extending across the United States (U.S.) and abroad. 

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN MANAGEMENT

This award recognizes outstanding administrative or managerial achievements which have significantly improved the operations or productivity of the Department or have reduced costs.

Group Name:

DAAGs Alvarez and Taylor

Awards Citation:

Honored for delivering transformational, enterprise level management results that strengthened the Department’s efficiency, fiscal integrity, and mission readiness during a period of sweeping administrative change.

Synopsis:

Deputy Assistant Attorneys General (DAAGs) Christopher Alvarez and William Taylor delivered transformational, enterprise level management results that strengthened the Department’s efficiency, fiscal integrity, and mission readiness during a period of sweeping administrative change. 

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN MANAGEMENT

Award Citation:

Honored for exceptional service as Acting Director of the Executive Office for Immigration Review.

Sirce E. Owen

Appellate Immigration Judge

Board of Immigration Appeals

Executive Office for Immigration Review

Synopsis:

Judge Owen is an accomplished Appellate Immigration Judge who stepped into the highest leadership role in EOIR at a pivotal time. Her dedicated service to the Department of Justice and EOIR was critical to implementing important new Administration priorities related to immigration, national security, and the rule of law. Under her leadership, EOIR’s pending caseload was reduced by 10%, or over 400,000 cases. She also restored the Agency’s mission to adjudicate cases in a fair, impartial, and expeditious manner.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN TECHNOLOGY OR PRIVACY

This award recognizes outstanding contributions by U.S. Department of Justice employees in applying information technology to improve the operations or productivity of the Department, reduce or avoid costs, or solve problems, as well as recognizing outstanding achievements in privacy law, policy, and compliance.

Group Name:

Matrix Implementation Team

Award Citation:

Honored for exceptional effort and diligence in the sweeping modernization of USAO-DC's Case Management System.

Synopsis:

The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia (USAO-DC) Matrix Implementation Team led a sweeping modernization of the office’s long-outdated case management system, culminating in the successful deployment of the Matrix platform in 2025. 

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN TECHNOLOGY OR PRIVACY

Group Name:

Immigration Enforcement Efficiency Enhancement

Award Citation:

Honored for exceptional innovation in developing real-time mobile and case management technologies to track immigration, TCO, and FTO enforcement data for the DOJ.

Synopsis:

The Immigration and TCO Enforcement Data Modernization Team is nominated for the Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Technology for their transformative work in establishing a real-time data collection ecosystem supporting high-priority DOJ and Administration initiatives. To address the urgent need for accurate intelligence on immigration enforcement operations, Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs), and Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), the team developed a dual-front technological solution.  The team conceptualized and deployed the ATF’s mobile application for operational reporting, allowing Special Agents to transmit real-time data on arrests, geolocations, and interagency support directly from the field. This innovation replaced labor-intensive manual reporting, significantly reducing administrative overhead and providing Executive Leadership with immediate operational visibility.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN FURTHERING THE INTERESTS OF U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY

This award recognizes a special act or service that has greatly contributed to furthering the interests of national security by protecting citizens and infrastructure, contributing to successful high-profile investigations, or participating in prosecutions in the areas of foreign counterintelligence, terrorism, or espionage.

Group Name:

Miami Field Division Counternarcotic Cyber Investigations Task Force (CCITF)

Award Citation:

Excellence in furthering the interests of U.S. National Security by Assisting with the U.S. fentanyl epidemic and the DEA “One Pill Can Kill” Program.

Synopsis:

This team is nominated for its historic achievement in working to thwart the global fentanyl supply chain by targeting China and India-based chemical manufacturers who played a key role in the manufacturing, selling, and importing ton quantities of fentanyl precursor chemicals into the U.S.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN LEGAL SUPPORT

This award recognizes outstanding achievements in the field of legal support to attorneys.

Awards Citation:

Honored in Excellence in Legal Support

Tria Yang

Legal Assistant

Baltimore Immigration Court

Executive Office for Immigration Review

Synopsis:

Since 2016, Ms. Yang has been a cornerstone of both detained and non-detained dockets at the Baltimore and York Immigration Courts. As a subject matter expert, she was the cornerstone of the Immigration Court’s electronic file pilot program, Judicial Tools, translating complex court needs into functional IT updates that now benefit the entire agency.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

This award recognizes outstanding administrative or managerial achievements (e.g., human resources, financial management, information technology, and general non-legal administrative support).

Award Citation:

Exceptional administrative support in leading the reorganization of several hundred employees to the Criminal Division.

Brandon M. Morrison

Chief Administrative Director

Office of Administration

Criminal Division

Synopsis:

Brandon Morrison was integral in planning and executing a series of complex reorganizations into and within the Criminal Division in 2025. 

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

Award Citation:

Excellence in the administrative support of efforts to combat violent crime in New Mexico.

Amanda L. Walmsley

Investigative Analyst

Albuquerque III Field Office

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Synopsis:

Investigative Analyst (IA) Amanda Walmsley is an ideal team player – humble, hungry, and smart. Since joining ATF, IA Walmsley’s work ethic and enthusiasm have been invaluable, ensuring that the work she supports is carried out efficiently, and with the necessary resources. She embraces the duties of her position and is always the first to volunteer for assignments of all shapes and sizes, including those that many would perceive to be tedious or undesirable. 

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

Award Citation:

Honored for her unwavering commitment to the Federal Bureau of Prisons and her excellence in providing administrative support.

Amilene Wachter

Warden Secretary

Federal Correction Complex Allenwood

Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System

Synopsis:

Ms. Wachter is a dedicated government employee with over 28 years of exemplary service. As the Complex Warden’s Secretary, she manages complex-level meetings and events, executive scheduling, budget oversight, Community Relations Board coordination, Administrative Remedies, Sentence Reduction and Compassionate Release processing under the First Step Act, and ensures all documentation is accurate and ready for Warden approval. 

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR TOP K-9 OR K-9 TEAM

This award recognizes outstanding work done by a federal service K-9 or K-9 Team in support of the Department’s mission and every day encounters with the real world.  

Award Citation:

Honored for exceptional service in linking violent crime cases through K-9 ballistic evidence recovery in Houston, TX. 

Synopsis:

Special Agent Jim Osburg and ATF K9 Lady have established themselves as one of the most effective K9 teams supporting violent crime investigations in the Houston area. During FY 2025, they conducted 160 evidence-related searches, recovering more than 843 pieces of ballistic and firearms evidence and generating 123 NIBIN hits. 

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR TOP K-9 OR K-9 TEAM

Award Citation:

Honored for actions of SACH Michael McGrath, through his training, intuition, heroism and overall courage, saved countless law enforcement officer’s lives that morning. 

Synopsis:

SACH McGrath and his canine partner, “Diggs,” were responsible for assisting not only ATF, but the surrounding State, Federal and local partner agencies in the search and recovery of explosives, and ballistic and firearm related evidence at the scenes of violent crimes. SACH McGrath and his actions saved the lives of several St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Officers on the morning of May 9, 2025. 

THE JOHN MARSHALL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN LITIGATION

This award recognizes outstanding professional achievement by attorneys only of the U.S. Department of Justice.  The award is designed to recognize attorneys outstanding achievement either in trial or litigation, participation in litigation or support of litigation.

Group Name:

Curtailing Universal Injunctions Litigation Team

Award Citation:

Honored for exceptional service in advancing arguments at all levels of the judicial system to curtail universal injunctions. 

Synopsis:

In Trump v. CASA, Inc., the Supreme Court issued a landmark decision limiting the use of universal injunctions, holding that such injunctions exceed the judicial power of courts unless necessary to provide a named plaintiff with complete relief. Before this decision, plaintiffs challenging government policies could obtain nationwide injunctive relief in a single court, effectively blocking implementation of policies across the entire country on an expedited basis. This practice allowed plaintiffs to forum-shop by filing lawsuits in jurisdictions they perceived as favorable, requiring the government to prevail in every case, while plaintiffs needed to win only once. The DOJ litigation team defended multiple simultaneous lawsuits challenging the Executive Order and strategically developed arguments addressing the constitutional merits as well as the scope of injunctive relief itself. 

THE JOHN MARSHALL AWARD FOR PROVIDING LEGAL ADVICE

This award recognizes an attorney or group furnishing sound legal opinions and expertise, supported by appropriate documentation and research, in areas involving significant litigation or matters of importance to the Government.

Award Citation:

Honored for exceptional service in securing the expulsion of 55 High-Value Fugitives and Cartel Leaders under Mexico’s National Security Law.

Synopsis:

OIA oversaw the first two transfers of high-priority fugitives from Mexico to the United States under Mexico's National Security law. The first transfer of 29 fugitives from Mexico occurred in February 2025, followed by a second transfer of 26 fugitives in August 2025. Transferred fugitives included Rafael Caro Quintero, who organized the torture and killing of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena-Salazar and Abdual Karim Conteh, the leader of an organization responsible for smuggling migrants from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. 

THE JOHN MARSHALL AWARD FOR APPELLATE LITIGATION

This award recognizes the entire spectrum of legal efforts involved in presenting the Government’s major cases in appellate courts, including the presentation of oral arguments, and supervising or participating in the preparation of written briefs.

Group Name:

Global Health Council v. USAID Litigation Team

Award Citation:

Honored for Appellate Litigation to the Global Health Council v. USAID Litigation Team.

Synopsis:

The team is nominated for its extraordinary work on Global Health Council v. USAID. This litigation arose out of the President’s determination that certain previous foreign-aid spending does not reflect American values and interests and his direction to relevant agencies to ensure that, moving forward, those funds are disbursed to support programs that align with the President’s policy priorities. 

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR ASSET FORFEITURE

This award recognizes outstanding legal efforts or other actions by employees from any Component of the Department in support of the Government’s asset forfeiture programs.

Group Name:

The Venezuela Tanker Seizure Team

Award Citation:

Honored for investigating and seizing three oil tankers that were used by Venezuela, Iran, and others to Generate Revenue for Terrorist Organizations.

Synopsis:

The Venezuela Tanker Seizure Team is nominated for the Attorney General’s Award for Asset Forfeiture for its extraordinarily successful investigations and seizures of three very large crude carrier (VLCC) oil tankers that were used by Venezuela, Iran, and others to generate revenue in support of rogue regimes and terrorist organizations. The team demonstrated exceptional creativity, perseverance, determination, and dedication to the pursuit of justice and in helping enforce the President’s oil quarantine imposed against the illegitimate Maduro regime in Venezuela. 

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR FRAUD PREVENTION

This award recognizes those who have been involved with the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of fraud and other white-collar crimes.

Group Name:

Operation Gold Rush

Award Citation:

Honored for exceptional service in the investigation and prosecution of over $10 Billion Health Care Fraud Scheme by a Transnational Criminal Organization.

Synopsis:

A nationwide investigation known as Operation Gold Rush resulted in the largest loss amount ever charged in a health care fraud case brought by the Department. These charges were announced in the Eastern District of New York, the Northern District of Illinois, the Central District of California, the Middle District of Florida, and the District of New Jersey, and included charges brought against defendants who were apprehended in Estonia as a result of international cooperation with Estonian law enforcement and defendants who were arrested at U.S. airports and the U.S. border with Mexico, cutting off their intended escape routes as they attempted to avoid capture. 

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING EXTERNAL CONTRIBUTIONS

This award recognizes individuals or teams who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and skill in fostering collaboration between government agencies and community stakeholders to enhance public safety or have rendered exceptionally helpful assistance to the Department in high-visibility litigation.

Award Citation:

Honored for outstanding external contributions in support of animal welfare.

Lauree Simmons

President and Founder

Big Dog Ranch Rescue

Synopsis:

Right before January 1, 2026, Lauree Simmons, the founder of Big Dog Ranch Rescue, received horrific information about animal abuse happening at a Texas breeding ranch with more than 100 dogs living in squalor. Within hours, Ms. Simmons and her team brought the matter to the attention of the Department of Justice. The FBI and USDA then executed a search warrant, deeming the dogs unsafe to remain on the property. Ms. Simmons and her organization ultimately saved more than 50 German Shepherds, placing many in loving homes and housing the rest.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S RISING STAR AWARD

The Attorney General’s Rising Star Award is designed to recognize individual attorneys who have five years or less post law school and significant professional achievements and contributions to the federal government and the Department of Justice mission.

Award Citation:

Honored for leading the office in indictments, sentencings, and jury trials, indicting 60 cases, 86 defendants, and reviewing hundreds of warrants.

Mac Caille L. Petursson

Assistant United States Attorney

District of Alaska

Executive Office for United States Attorney and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys

Synopsis:

In her first year as an AUSA, 2024, Ms. Petursson indicted 34 cases against 37 defendants, reviewed 131 postal drug interdiction warrants, conducted one jury trial. In her spare time, she authored an article on courtroom psychology for the October 2024 issue of the DOJ Journal of Federal Law and Practice. In 2025, she indicted 26 cases against a total of 49 defendants, including two complex white collar fraud cases, a seven-defendant OCDETF/HSTF fentanyl conspiracy, a five defendant Lacey Act conspiracy, two cartel-related drug conspiracies, and five child sexual exploitation cases. She reviewed an additional 164 postal parcel warrants, more than double the number handled by the rest of the office combined. She received a regional award from the Postal Inspection Service for her exemplary work. In 2025, she led the office in case openings, pending cases as lead counsel, and was in the top three in sentencings. She authored a second DOJ Journal article, this time on international cooperation in cybercrime prosecutions in the March 2025 issue.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S RISING STAR AWARD

Award Citation:

Honored for the Attorney General’s Award for a rising star for the Civil Division’s Appellate Staff.

Derek L. Weiss

Trial Attorney

Appellate Staff

Civil Division

Synopsis:

Derek Weiss, an attorney on the Civil Division’s Appellate Staff, is widely recognized as a rising star at the DOJ. Mr. Weiss, who attended Yale Law School after a decade-long career in private equity, joined the Department in October 2024 following clerkships with Hon. Kevin Newsom on the Eleventh Circuit and Hon. Neomi Rao on the D.C. Circuit. He immediately became an essential part of the litigation team defending some of the Department’s most significant matters to date.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S RISING STAR AWARD

Award Citation:

Honored for outsized role to protect houses of worship utilizing and pursuing the criminal investigation of a nationally significant assassination.

Orlando Sonza

Counsel

Office of the Assistant Attorney General

Civil Rights Division

Synopsis:

Counsel Orlando Sonza has rapidly distinguished himself taking on an outsized role pursuing three critical, priority matters. First, Mr. Sonza played a pivotal role in United States v. Party for Socialism and Liberation, et al., the first civil FACE Act case ever brought by DOJ to protect a house of worship, arising from an attack against a synagogue in West Orange, New Jersey. Second, Mr. Sonza continues to help lead the ongoing federal investigation into the assassination of Charlie Kirk, one of the most sensitive and consequential matters currently handled by the Civil Rights Division. Lastly and most recently, Mr. Sonza was instrumental in helping lead the investigation and indictment of Don Lemon et al. in the case involving an attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota.

THE EDWARD H. LEVI AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONALISM AND EXEMPLARY INTEGRITY

This award honors the memory and achievements of former Attorney General Edward H. Levi, whose career as an attorney, law professor and dean, and public servant exemplified these qualities in the best traditions of the Department.

Award Citation:

Recognized for exceptional service in responding to violent protest in Los Angeles.

Frances S. Lewis

Chief, General Crimes

Central District of California

Executive Office for United States Attorney

and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys

Synopsis:

General Crimes Section Chief AUSA Frances Lewis exemplifies the best traditions of the Department of Justice in showing dedication, leadership, and courage in mobilizing the response of the United States Attorney's Office for the Central District of California to the civil unrest in Los Angeles arising out of federal immigration enforcement actions. Since June 2025, Chief Lewis and the General Crimes Section have filed criminal complaints against over 100 individuals who have committed violence at protests or otherwise tried to interfere with federal immigration enforcement, including by assaulting federal officers. 

THE EDWARD H. LEVI AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONALISM AND EXEMPLARY INTEGRITY

Award Citation:

Recognized for outstanding professionalism and exemplary integrity in the performance of duties.

Michael Moran

ReEntry Affairs Coordinator

FMC Devens

Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System

Synopsis:

In September 2024, Reentry Affairs Coordinator Michael Moran demonstrated exceptional professionalism, integrity, and leadership by conceptualizing and leading the development of a virtual Pre/Reentry presentation designed to educate newly sentenced individuals and their families about the federal incarceration and reentry process. 

WILLIAM FRENCH SMITH AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO COOPERATIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT

This award honors the memory and achievements of former Attorney General William French Smith for his establishment of Law Enforcement Coordinating Committees and his outstanding efforts in promoting law enforcement cooperation and coordination throughout the Nation. The William French Smith award recognizes state and local law enforcement officials who, through their participation in cooperative interagency efforts, have made significant contributions to law enforcement endeavors and objectives.

Group Name: 

D.C. Metropolitan Police Department D.C. Crime Emergency Leadership

Award Citation:

Honored for exceptional law enforcement cooperation by providing instrumental efforts in developing an interagency infrastructure and execution framework.

Synopsis:

The United States Marshals Service (USMS) nominated the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department D.C. Crime Emergency Leadership Team consisting of Chief of Police Jeffrey Carroll and Commander Jason Bagshaw of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) for the William French Smith Award for Outstanding Contributions to Cooperative Law Enforcement for their exceptional leadership and instrumental efforts developing the interagency operational concept, infrastructure, and execution framework. 

WILLIAM FRENCH SMITH AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO COOPERATIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT

Award Citation:

Recognized for excellence in cooperative law enforcement for Spearheading Federal Surge Efforts and Securing $727M in Department of Homeland Security Funding to Support Agents and Title 8 Enforcement.

Colin M. McDonald

Assistant United States Attorney

California Southern District

Executive Office for United States

Attorney and the Office of the United States Attorneys

Synopsis:

Colin is recommended for the William French Smith Award for Outstanding Contributions to Cooperative Law Enforcement. Over the past year, Colin has made significant contributions to cooperative law enforcement endeavors by spearheading the Department's surge efforts, overseeing a portfolio of law enforcement components, participating in the  DC Safe & Beautiful Law Enforcement Hiring efforts,  establishing and securing $15 million in Department of Homeland Security (DHS) One Big Beautiful Bill funding for  Special Act Awards process for Law Enforcement staff supporting Title 8 Immigration Enforcement, and securing $712 million in funding from DHS Homeland Security Task Forces One Big Beautiful Bill funding to support agents in the Department’s law enforcement components.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR COMMITMENT TO ADVANCING JUSTICE AWARD

This award recognizes individuals or teams who have made exceptional contributions to the investigation and resolution of long-standing cold cases.  It honors the dedication, persistence, and investigative excellence required to revisit unresolved cases and pursue justice years—sometimes decades—after the original investigation.

Group Name:

US v. James Williams (Murder-for-hire)

Award Citation:

This award recognizes exceptional service in the investigation and prosecution of conspiracies to commit murder for hire in Michigan.

Mark S. Bilkovic

Tare Wigod

Assistant United States Attorneys

Criminal

Executive Office for United States Attorney and the Office of the United States Attorneys

Synopsis:

In 2013, Clifton Page was bound with duct tape and executed in his home in Detroit, Michigan. Three years later, Assistant United States Attorneys Mark Bilkovic and A. Tare Wigod began their investigation of this murder. Through a multi-year investigation—and an immense amount of hard work— the AUSAs solved the murder of Page, five other cold-case murders, and three attempted murders. 

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR COMMITMENT TO ADVANCING JUSTICE AWARD

Group Name:

Bowling Green, Kentucky Cold Case

Award Citation:

This award recognizes excellence in cold case resolution for using advanced forensic DNA to solve the 1996 abduction of Morgan Violi and secure justice after thirty years.

Synopsis:

On July 24, 1996, seven-year-old Morgan Violi was abducted while playing outside her apartment complex in Bowling Green, Kentucky.  Despite an immediate and extensive search, the case remained unsolved for decades, leaving a family and community without answers.  Years later, investigators revisited the evidence (one which was fiber recovered from Morgan’s hair) using advanced forensic DNA technology, uncovering new leads that ultimately identified a suspect, Robert S. Froberg. 

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR COMMITMENT TO ADVANCING JUSTICE AWARD

Group Name:

Operation Sombra De La Bestia (Shadow of the Beast)

Award Citation:

This award recognizes excellence in the use of multiple investigative techniques and multi-agency collaboration for the investigation of four gang cold-case murders during Operation Sombra De La Bestia (Shadow of the Beast).

Synopsis:

Awarded for their efforts in a multi-jurisdictional investigation focused on a series of four unsolved gang related murders committed by MS-13 members between November 2014 to October 2015.  

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS BY A NEW EMPLOYEE

This award recognizes exceptional performance and notable accomplishments towards the Department’s mission by an employee with fewer than five years of service with the Department and Federal government.

Award Citation:

Honored for outstanding contributions by a new employee, exemplifying courage and expertise in high-risk undercover operations and complex federal investigations.

Michael J. Carpentier

Special Agent/Criminal Investigator

Boston Field Division

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Synopsis:

Special Agent Michael Carpentier of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is recognized for outstanding achievement as a new employee of the Department of Justice, for his exceptional performance as an investigator with the ATF Boston Field Division and the ATF Boston Violent Crime Joint Strike Force. 

THE MARY C. LAWTON LIFETIME SERVICE AWARD

This award recognizes employees who have served at least 20 years in the Department and who have demonstrated high standards of excellence and dedication throughout their careers.

Award Citation:

Honored for demonstrating exceptional creativity and legal analysis to make the best use of electronic evidence in the Department's most important cases.

Nathan Judish

Trial Attorney

Computer Crime & Intellectual Property Section

Criminal Division

Synopsis:

Over the last 25 plus years, nothing has transformed the law or life more than computers. During that time, Nathan Judish has been the United States’ leading expert on the law of electronic evidence. Nathan has argued numerous cases of first impression before Magistrate Judges, District Judges, and a majority of the Courts of Appeals (3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th Circuits, including end banc arguments), in addition to preparing the Office of Solicitor General in a number of cases before the Supreme Court of the United States. 

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR EXCEPTIONAL HEROISM

This award recognizes exceptional heroism designed to recognize an extraordinary act of courage or voluntary risk of life during the performance of duty.

Award Citation:

Honored for bravery and selfless extraordinary act of courage or voluntary risk of life during the performance of duty.

John Thompson

Special Agent

Cleveland Field Office

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Synopsis:

On July 23, 2025, FBI SA John Thompson responded with two Lorain detectives to the scene of what was later determined to be an ambush of police by a bad actor. The shooter pulled his car into a cul-de-sac in a position perpendicular to the police cruisers, exited his vehicle and opened fire with a semi-automatic rifle, mortally wounding Officer Phillip Wagner and then retreated to his car and pulled out a cache of semi-automatic rifles in various firing positions around his vehicles. SA Thompson arrived at the scene and was met with rifle shots fired in his direction. SA Thompson observed Officer Brent Payne running toward him and away from the shooter, who was still firing at Officer Payne. SA Thompson observed Officer Payne struck by bullets and go down. SA Thompson bravely and courageously ran in the direction of the gunfire to reach the downed officer and remove him from the barrage of oncoming fire. SA Thompson applied lifesaving first aid in the form of a tourniquet to Officer Payne’s arms, and injured leg and then removed the officer to the hospital. The Captain who oversaw the investigation told the FBI Cleveland Executive Management that SA Thompson’s actions undoubtedly saved Officer Payne’s life.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE

This is the second highest award granted by the Attorney General and recognizes outstanding service and commitment to the Department.

Group Name:

Southwest Border Group 1

Award Citation:

Honored for exceptional service in dismantling major cartel-linked Operating in U.S. and abroad.

Synopsis:

Southwest Border Group 1 (SWB1) of the Los Angeles Field Division (LAFD) displayed exceptional service in furtherance of the DEA’s mission by its investigations into multiple Narco Terrorist Groups operating in locations such as Mexico, Colombia, Spain, South America, France, Belgium, Canada, and the United States.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE

Group Name:

Joint Task Force Vulcan (JTFV)

Award Citation:

Honored for distinguished service in the investigation and prosecution of Foreign Terrorist Organizations MS-13 and Teren de Aragua (TdA).

Synopsis:

Collectively, the nominees enabled a coordinated national takedown in December 2025 spanning the Districts of Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, the Southern District of New York, and the Southern District of Texas, charging more than 70 TdA leaders and members in a unified enforcement action.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE

Award Citation:

Honored for exceptional service during the DCA Midair Collision involving a commercial aircraft and a U.S. Army UH-60-L helicopter, resulting in 67 fatalities.

Synopsis:

FBI Laboratory Division’s Evidence Response Team Unit (ERTU), Technical Hazardous Response Unit (THRU), Disaster Victim Identification Squad (DVIS) as part of the Latent Print Operations Unit (LPOU), and Washington Field Office Underwater Search and Evidence Response Team (USERT), Evidence Response Team (ERT), and Hazardous Evidence Response Team (HERT) are being nominated for their demonstration of extraordinary courage, competence, and professionalism during the response to the DCA Midair Collision involving a commercial aircraft and a U.S. Army UH-60-L helicopter, which resulted in the loss of 67 lives and both aircrafts entering the Potomac River.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S DAVID MARGOLIS AWARD FOR EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE

This is the highest award granted by the Attorney General within the U.S. Department of Justice. It is named in honor of former Associate Deputy Attorney General, David Margolis, one of the senior-most career employees at the Department of Justice, who served over 50 years in many key roles.

Group Name:

Washington D.C. Safe & Beautiful Task Force - U.S. Marshals Service Leadership Team

Award Citation:

Honored for a successful operation under pressure, delivering record-setting results while leading a prominent federal violent-crime reduction operation.

Synopsis:

On August 9, 2025, President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pamela Bondi appointed the U.S. Marshals Service, under the leadership of Director Gadyaces Serralta, to command the Washington D.C. Safe & Beautiful Task Force. Director Serralta established an integrated command team to lead incident, operational, and intelligence functions for this unprecedented federal public safety surge

The Attorney General expresses her appreciation to the following Department officials for their assistance in evaluating the awards nominations. The 2025 award recipients were recommended and selected from a group of highly qualified nominees.

Chairperson

• Todd Blanche, Deputy Attorney General, Chair or Designee

Members

• Stanley Woodward, Associate Attorney General Office of the Associate Attorney General
• Jolene Ann Lauria, Assistant Attorney General for Administration, Justice Management Division
• Catharine Cypher, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Attorney General
• Hayley Conklin, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Attorney General
• Francey Hakes, Director, Executive Office for Unites States Attorneys
• Dana Lindblad, Deputy Chief of Staff Office of the Director, United States Marshals Service

Ex Officio Member

• James McHenry, Jr., Acting Principal Associate Deputy Associate Attorney General, Office of the Deputy Attorney General

Executive Secretary

• Jacqueline D. Jones, Executive Officer, Justice Management Division