U.S. Attorney’s Office Awards Ceremony Honors Law Enforcement Partners

The teams who led the following cases received awards at the ceremony: 

Outstanding Collaborative Investigation: Cases receiving this recognition are limited to those that have demonstrated outstanding efforts or overcome significant challenges in collaboration with multiple agencies.

Awarded to: U.S. v. Keith Jones, et al and U.S. v. Romero, et al.

Project Safe Childhood Shield of Innocence: This award honors those who have provided extraordinary assistance to victims of a federal child exploitation crime. Extraordinary assistance is that which involves direct and ongoing emotional support and encouragement which required extra hours, on and off duty; commitment to making a victim whole, leading to restitution on behalf of a victim; thoughtful analysis of restitution owed to victims in a large-scale victim case; or other complex issues involving victim cases.

Awarded to: U.S. v. Stan Hayes. 

L.E.A.T.H Heroism Award: This award is presented to a L.E.A.T.H. case that demonstrates extraordinary commitment and fortitude in the pursuit of justice. The Law Enforcement Action to Halt Domestic Violence (LEATH) Initiative is named in honor of Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) Officer Breann Leath, who was killed in the line of duty while responding to a domestic disturbance call. The LEATH Initiative began in October of 2020 and recognizes the inherent danger posed by firearms in the hands of domestic abusers.

Awarded to: U.S. v. Cody Steele.

Investigative Excellence Award: Cases receiving this award are limited to those that have substantially and significantly contributed to the mission of the United States Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice by conducting complex, thorough and proactive analysis of evidence.

Awarded to: U.S. v. Tuong Quoc Ho, U.S. v. Adediran, et al, and Enas Said v. United States: After being permanently disqualified from the SNAP program for food stamp trafficking in another state, Mahmoud Said tried to circumvent the ban by registering his Indiana grocery stores under his wife’s name. When Enas Said submitted the false applications, the Food and Nutrition Service charged her with knowingly providing false information, resulting in her own permanent disqualification. Enas sued the agency but refused to participate in discovery, leading the court to dismiss the case.

Despite her appeal, the litigation team remained persistent, filing a comprehensive brief only to discover that Said’s attorney had lost his law license. Shortly after, Said withdrew the appeal. The team’s unwavering pursuit of sanctions and accountability was crucial to upholding the integrity of the SNAP program and ensuring that benefits remain accessible to those who truly need them.

Excellence in the Pursuit of Justice; Presented to a case in which local, state, and federal officials achieved extraordinary results in their work to prevent crime, enhance community safety, and seek justice.

Awarded to: U.S. v. Cortez Venable, et al.

Community Impact: Presented to a case that had widespread, positive impact on constituents, law enforcement relations, and the legacy of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Indiana.

Awarded to:  U.S. v. Jamarr Hill, et al. and U.S. v. Hendricks County.

Outstanding Agency Service: Presented to a case that substantially and significantly contributed to the mission of the United States Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice.

Awarded to: U.S. v. Marquel Payne

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