U.S. Attorney Adding Resources To Combat Crime In Eastern Panhandle

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MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – As part of a continuing initiative to bring additional law enforcement resources to West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle, two new federal prosecutors have joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced today.

Anna Krasinski and Andrew Williamson took the formal oath of office before U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh in federal court in Martinsburg this morning. In their new role as criminal prosecutors, both Krasinski and Williamson will target drug trafficking. Williamson will also focus on violent crime while Krasinski will prosecute white collar offenses.

“Hiring two new talented and energetic prosecutors with significant litigation experience is merely one component of the ongoing effort to combat heroin trafficking and violent crime in the Eastern Panhandle,” said U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld.

In September 2014, Berkeley County, West Virginia was designated as a critical drug trafficking region as part of the Office of National Drug Control Policy’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program. The HIDTA designation will bring significant federal resources to region, including additional support for the Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crime Task Force.

According to Ihlenfeld, the rapid growth of the Eastern Panhandle over the past decade has led to a need for the U.S. Attorney's office to grow along with it. "In addition to the new prosecutors sworn in today, we're actively pursuing more resources in order to enhance safety, security, and law enforcement effectiveness in the region," said Ihlenfeld.

Krasinski graduated from New York University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Social Studies Education and a Master of Arts in Environmental Conservation Education. She earned her JD in 2009 from the University of Illinois College of Law, where served as a Managing Editor for the Journal of Law, Technology & Policy. Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney's Office, Krasinski served as a law clerk for U.S. District Judge Robert N. Scola in the Southern District of Florida. She was also a Litigation Associate at Holland & Knight LLP in Chicago, Illinois.

Williamson graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism in 2005. He earned his JD from American University in 2011, where he served on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Gender, Social Policy & the Law. Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney's Office, Williamson served as an Associate at Carr Maloney and Tobin O'Connor & Ewing, both in Washington, DC.

Pictured: U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh, AUSA Andrew Williamson, AUSA Anna Krasinski, and United States Attorny William J. Ihlenfeld, II.