National Award Honors Federal Prosecutor Tris Hunt In Kansas

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Assistant U.S. Attorney Tris Hunt has been named Outstanding Prosecutor of the Year for his work with the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.

The national award from the Office of National Drug Control Policy recognizes Hunt for his work with the Midwest HIDTA on a large scale investigation of methamphetamine trafficking that resulted in the prosecution of 17 individuals.

“Tris Hunt is an outstanding prosecutor,” said U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom. “He sets a high standard and he brings out the best in his colleagues.”

The award recognizes the prosecutor who has consistently developed and utilized an innovative or unique approach. Winners must demonstrate a commitment to the cooperative spirit of the task force approach, the timely development and application of legal tools and the arrest, prosecution and conviction of individuals engaged in illegal drug activities.

The award recognizes Hunt for his work with the Drug Enforcement Administration in Kansas City, Homeland Security Investigations and the Jackson County Drug Task Force, as well as many other law enforcement agencies.

The Executive Board of the Midwest HIDTA also recognized Hunt as the region’s Outstanding Prosecutor of 2013.

David Barton, Director of the Midwest HIDTA, said Hunt’s work has involved some of the more complex issues ever undertaken by the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division and the DEA-Investigative Technology section.