U.S. Attorney’s Office Presents First-Ever Vanguard Award

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama is proud to present its first-ever Vanguard Award to Homeland Security Investigations – Task Force Officer (HSI-TFO) Marlon Cole, in recognition of his extraordinary dedication, persistence, and commitment to protecting children from online predators. 

HSI-TFO Cole played a critical role in identifying and locating a child predator, Trevon Brown, who had been hiding behind an online identity while targeting young people. Through his persistence, investigative efforts and commitment, HSI-TFO Cole helped bring a predator out of hiding and helped ensure he could no longer pose a threat to children. 

“Our awardee is indeed a Vanguard,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “HSI-TFO Cole demonstrated the kind of persistence and dedication that this award was created to recognize. This child predator believed he could hide behind a screen, conceal his identity, and continue targeting young people. HSI-TFO Cole refused to let that happen. Trevon Brown, the predator of so many, was sentenced to 50 years in prison. Justice obtained in this case for all the victims would not have come to fruition if it wasn’t for the tenacity, dedication, and hard work of the person we are recognizing.”

VANGUARD AWARD

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama decided to recognize our law enforcement partners by establishing an award to recognize those who have gone above and beyond to assist with the work of Justice. 

The Vanguard are those individuals who go out forward of the main force to locate and fix the enemy, and to then lead the main effort as the forward force. Vanguards are carefully chosen, highly skilled, and incredibly effective individuals who are committed to the cause. To serve in the Vanguard is to serve as one of the few who will go the extra mile to defeat those who would dare perpetrate harm on our society.