Attorney General Jeff Sessions Honors Beaumont Federal Prosecutors

WASHINGTON – Attorney General Jeff Sessions recognized 202 department employees for their distinguished public service this week at the 65^nd Annual Attorney General’s Awards Ceremony.  Nineteen other individuals outside of the department were also honored for their work.  This annual ceremony recognizes individuals for their outstanding service and dedication to carrying out the missions of the Department of Justice.  The department will also present one posthumous award to Deputy Commander Patrick T. Carothers for exceptional heroism in the line of duty during a fugitive apprehension in Allenhurst, Georgia on Nov. 18, 2016, in which  Deputy Commander Carothers was mortally wounded.

 “Every single day, the 115,000 men and women of the Department of Justice work to protect our national security against terrorist threats, defend the civil rights of all Americans, reduce violent crime in our communities, stop deadly drug dealers and their organizations, and strengthen the rule of law,” said Attorney General Sessions.  “This work benefits every American, and each Department of Justice employee plays a role that helps us accomplish our objectives. Today, we take a moment to recognize those who have distinguished themselves by exemplary service to the Department. Each one of these men and women—through their dedication and commitment—has made a difference. Meeting with them and their families today, I am more confident than ever that the Department—and the safety of the American people—are in good hands.”

This year’s program honors individuals across the department and our federal, state, local, and tribal partners for their self-less efforts, protecting our national security and our civil rights, addressing rising violent crime in our communities, going after gangs and those trafficking in dangerous narcotics and human beings.  The awards also honor the work of civil and environmental litigation, which enforces the rule of law and upholds our Constitution.  They also recognize employees whose ideas and efforts save taxpayer dollars and help our government operate more effectively and efficiently, among other contributions to public safety and good governance.

From the Eastern District of Texas, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph R. Batte and Christopher T. Tortorice were honored with the John Marshall Litigation Award. Bate was a prosecutor for the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office before joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 1995.  Tortorice is also a former state prosecutor having worked for the Navarro County District Attorney’s Office and the Texas Attorney General’s Office.  He joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 2009.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is proud to acknowledge this award for outstanding work in the field of white collar prosecutions,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston.  “Assistant U.S. Attorneys Batte and Tortorice continue to excel and lead the complex crimes area of the Beaumont Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.  Their work reflects outstanding investigative leadership in complex white collar cases, and East Texas is better off by having them as prosecutors in the Eastern District of Texas.”