SDNY Personnel Among Those Honored At 65th Annual Attorney General Awards

Attorney General Jeff Sessions recognized 202 Department of Justice employees – including seven from the Office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York (“SDNY”) who received the Department’s highest award for employee service – for their distinguished public service today at the 65^nd Annual Attorney General’s Awards Ceremony.  This annual ceremony recognizes individuals for their outstanding service and dedication to carrying out the missions of the Department of Justice.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions said:  “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.  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.”

Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service, the Department’s highest award for employee service, was presented to SDNY Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nola B. Heller, Sarah R. Krissoff, Matthew J. Laroche, Michael D. Maimin, Rachel Maimin, and Micah W.J. Smith, and paralegal specialist Darci Brady.  This team, along with fellow award recipients ATF Special Agents Kenneth G. Crotty and Andrew J. Daher, DEA Special Agents William D. Melodick and Moises Walters, HSI Special Agent Paul H. Pasuco, and NYPD Detectives Pedro Alfonso, Paul Jeselson, and John Urena, investigated, arrested, and prosecuted more than 100 members of the violent Bronx-based Trinitarios gang.  These RICO cases resulted in clearance of numerous murders and other acts of extreme violence through guilty pleas or convictions at trial.  The Trinitarios cases had a direct impact on the homicide rate in the Bronx, which has declined to record-low levels in the aftermath of the initial takedown and subsequent investigation and prosecution.

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said:  “Our Office serves no higher mission than helping to keep the citizens of our city safe, including from gang and gun violence.  That is why we are extremely proud of those in our Office and with our law enforcement partners who received today the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service, the Department's highest honor for employee service.  These fine women and men were honored for their work in investigating and prosecuting the vicious and violent Trinitarios gang, including prosecutions that dismantled its leadership and took over a hundred violent gang members off the streets.  Their commitment has helped make Bronx safer and has had a positive impact on the lives of New Yorkers.”

Nineteen other individuals outside the department were also honored for their work.    The department will also present one posthumous award to Deputy Commander Patrick T. Carothers of the U.S. Marshals Service for exceptional heroism in the line of duty during a fugitive apprehension in Georgia last November in which Deputy Commander Carothers was mortally wounded.