United States Attorney’s Office announces departure of Kenneth L. Parker as U.S. Attorney

CINCINNATI – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio announces the departure of Kenneth L. Parker as U.S. Attorney. 

Effective as of Mr. Parker’s termination, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly A. Norris is serving as Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio.

Mr. Parker was sworn in on November 23, 2021, as the 45th United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio. Former President Joseph Biden nominated Parker on September 28, 2021, and the United States Senate unanimously approved his confirmation on November 19, 2021.

“It has been my highest honor to serve the people of the Southern District of Ohio as the United States Attorney.  There is no better feeling than to come to the office every day knowing I, along with all the prosecutors, trial attorneys, and staff, work to protect the rights, safety, and interests of the public with excellence and integrity,” said former U.S. Attorney Parker.

Mr. Parker first joined the office in 1999 as an Assistant United States Attorney and has since also served as the District’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Deputy Criminal Chief and as the District’s Criminal Chief. As U.S. Attorney, he served on Attorney General Merrick Garland’s Advisory Committee, serving as co-chair of the Law Enforcement, Victims, and Community Outreach committee, as well as a standing member on the Violent and Organized Crime and Civil Rights committees.

As U.S. Attorney, Mr. Parker served as the chief law enforcement officer and oversaw the investigation and litigation of all criminal and civil cases brought on behalf of the United States. During his tenure, Mr. Parker emphasized efforts related to protecting vulnerable populations like children and the elderly.  Under his  leadership, the District created a civil rights referral initiative for members of the public to report potential civil rights violations directly to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, hosted a roundtable to combat sexual harassment in housing, and established three annual community and law enforcement awards programs. The district also continued significant public corruption investigations, focused on violent crime committed against United States Postal Carriers and educated the public on glock switches and ghost guns.

Parker led an office of approximately 135 career professionals, including 65 Assistant United States Attorneys and 60 support staff personnel. The district remained steadfast in protecting the Southern District of Ohio with the following notable accomplishments:

• Emphasis on opioid prosecutions contributing to a decrease in overdose deaths in Hamilton County;
• Increased the number of alleged drug traffickers to be extradited from Colombia for prosecution;
• In addition to civil and criminal penalties, more than $260 million was collected in fiscal year 2024 in assets connected to criminal activity.  More than $20 million in additional assets is still pending forfeiture orders. In fiscal year 2024, the Southern District of Ohio ranked second out of all U.S. Attorney’s Offices nationwide in deposit amount.
• This past fiscal year the Financial Litigation program team held debtors accountable by recovering money for victims, collecting $8.1 million in criminal debts.
• Increased emphasis on the prosecution of postal robberies, machine gun conversion devices, ghost guns, and distributing narcotics within 1000 feet of a school throughout the district;
• Assisted the ATF and other law enforcement partners in establishing Crime Gun Intelligence Centers in Cincinnati and Columbus;
• Established a mock courtroom inside the Cincinnati office to allow attorneys and staff to further hone their skills as they prepare their cases in the district and appellate courts.  The courtroom has electronic capabilities to connect to other offices throughout the district.
• Increased the visibility of the office through sustained community outreach and engagement efforts.
• Our office continues to successfully defend federal government agencies against frivolous lawsuits and has protected taxpayer dollars with its success in a number of matters including against the VA, United States Air Force, Defense Logistics Agency, and the Sixth Circuit Judicial Council.
• The district also saw an increase in its conviction rate to 91.9%, which is higher than the national average of 90.7% and that of other large districts.  The district’s criminal and civil work included the following matters –

Violent/Firearms Crimes & Drug Trafficking

U.S. v.Goddard, et al. – Two Dayton men were convicted for their roles in the narcotics case that caused the 2019 death of Dayton Police Detective and DEA Task Force Officer Jorge DelRio. While attempting to prevent federal agents from seizing approximately half-a-million dollars in fentanyl and other drugs, Nathan Goddard, 44 was convicted of murdering Det. DelRio.  He and Cahke Cortner, 44, were also convicted of multiple narcotics and firearms charges.

U.S. v. Darod and Jama – Two central Ohio men were convicted for committing crimes related to the July 6, 2023, shooting of a Columbus police officer. Faisal Darod and Aden Abdullahi Jama participated in a crime spree that involved the armed robberies of five high-end automobile dealerships, banks and gaming stores in and around Columbus and ended in a shootout with police officers on I-70.

U.S. v. Roberts, et al. – Sterling H. Roberts was convicted for fatally shooting his girlfriend’s ex-husband in front of the victim’s children. A jury convicted Roberts in March 2022 of traveling interstate in August 2017 to murder Robert Caldwell, the former husband of Roberts’then-girlfriend after cyberstalking the victim. Roberts’ girlfriend at the time, co-defendant Tawnney Caldwell, and brothers, Chance Deakin and Christopher Roberts, as well asChandra Harmon (Tawnney’s mother); and James Harmon (Tawnney’s stepfather) were each charged in March 2018 and were all convicted of crimes related to the cyberstalking and murder.

U.S. v. Bryant, et al. – As of June 2022, all 19 defendants convicted as racketeering conspirators in a T&A Crips gang case were sentenced in federal court. The racketeering conspiracy was first charged in 2018 and included five murders, at least 26 attempted murders, and other violent and drug-trafficking crimes.

U.S. v. Williams, Jr., et al. – A jury convicted a Columbus man in December 2024 of murdering three victims as part of a narcotics conspiracy to rob a local marijuana dealer of drugs and cash. Williams had others dismember and bury two of the bodies to dispose of evidence of his crimes.

U.S. v. Robles, et al.  – A federal grand jury in Dayton indicted the Midwest Regional “boss” and 13 other members of the “outlaw motorcycle gang” known as the Thug Riders Motorcycle Club (TRMC). The indictment alleges that the TRMC operated a criminal enterprise whose members and associates engaged in acts of violence like murder, arson and assault. Members also allegedly participated in extortion and identity fraud.

U.S. v. Merino, U.S. v. Kotchkoski, U.S. v. Mefford – In these cases, former Columbus police officers were convicted for trafficking narcotics. Marco Merino conspired to distribute more than eight kilograms of fentanyl and accepted bribes to protect the transportation of cocaine. John Kotchkoski also conspired to traffic more than eight kilograms of fentanyl and conspired with a confidential informant to traffic 40 kilograms of cocaine. Joel Mefford conspired to steal and traffic more than 15 kilograms of cocaine from crime scenes and the evidence room and committed money laundering.

U.S. v. Washington, et al. – Nearly two dozen defendants were charged in a large-scale drug and human trafficking ring in Columbus. Defendants were charged with distributing bulk amounts of fentanyl, cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana, Xanax and Oxycodone within 1,000 feet of a Columbus elementary school. The case also involves an overdose death, sex trafficking and money laundering. As part of the case, law enforcement officials seized $1.7 million, 50 firearms and nine vehicles. To date, at least 21 of the defendants have been convicted and await sentencing.

U.S. v. Williams, Jr. – A Dayton man was sentenced in February 2023 to 250 months in prison for distributing fentanyl and cocaine that resulted in multiple fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the late hours of New Year’s Eve and into the early hours of New Year’s Day 2019.

U.S. v. Attaway & Johnson – Two Cincinnati men were convicted for crimes involving the murder of the owner of Madeira Beverage in February 2021 and multiple armed robberies. Willie James Attaway was convicted for murdering Roop C. Gupta and committing or attempting four other armed robberies on Feb. 8 and Feb. 9, 2021. Lamond Johnson also convicted and served as Attaway’s getaway driver during the two-day crime spree.

U.S. v. Blackshear, et al. – Five defendants from the Dayton area were convicted for participating in the summer 2019 kidnapping and subsequent death of Kwasi Casey, whose body was later found in a detached garage in Dayton.

U.S. v. Maye – A jury found Ricco Maye guilty on all 14 counts following a trial in Columbus in November 2024. The defendant led drug, sex trafficking and financial fraud conspiracies and then attempted to obstruct justice and tamper with witnesses. He was also convicted of coercing addicts into prostitution, overseeing a pandemic relief fraud scheme and tampering with witnesses.

U.S. v. Solomon, et al. – In August 2024, a jury in Columbus found two members of the Third World Mob gang guilty ofconspiring to traffic more than 2,000 pounds of marijuana. Third World Mob is a violent criminal organization in Columbus. The case also includes firearms and machine gun crimes. Lead defendant Menelik Solomon pleaded guilty for his role in the crimes.

U.S. v. King, et al. – Two Columbus men were convicted for the murder of Players Paradise internet café security guard Joseph Arrington and his wife Karen Arrington Chris King shot and murdered both the husband and wife while they were working. Justice B. Stringer drove co-defendants to and from the robbery resulting in murder.

U.S. Postal theft cases – Throughout this administration’s tenure, the district has prosecuted at least 20 defendants for crimes related to Postal robberies. Many of the cases include charges specifically for committing armed robbery against mail carriers. In other cases, defendants were charged with stealing USPS service keys or mail. Conspirators would steal any cash contained in the mail. They would also steal checks and “wash” or erase the original information to fraudulently convert the checks to deposit for themselves.

U.S. v. Holdbrook, et al. – Donte Holdbrook was one of 12 individuals convicted for conspiring to distribute narcotics and money laundering. His drug trafficking operation had ties to the Sinaloa Drug Cartel in Mexico.

U.S. v. Singh, et al. – In this case, the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Asset Forfeiture team secured one of the largest single cryptocurrency and cash seizures in DEA history, worth $150 million. Banmeet Singh ran a dark web narcotics conspiracy that moved hundreds of kilograms and tens of thousands of pills of controlled substances throughout the United States and established a multi-million-dollar drug enterprise. Singh created vendor marketing sites on dark web marketplaces such as Silk Road 1, Silk Road 2, Alpha Bay, Hansa and others, to sell controlled substances, including fentanyl, LSD, ecstasy, Xanax, Ketamine and Tramadol.

Civil Rights Offenses & Hate Crimes

Park National Bank settlement – The Justice Department announced in February 2023 an agreement to resolve allegations that Park National Bank (Park National), headquartered in Newark, Ohio, engaged in a pattern or practice of lending discrimination by “redlining” in the Columbus metropolitan area. The settlement required Park National to pay $9 million to ensure equal home loan opportunities and is part of the Justice Department’s nationwide Combating Redlining Initiative.

U.S. v. Eubanks – A Springfield, Ohio, man was convicted for crimes related to targeting and attacking at least eight Haitians residing in the area.

U.S. v. Genco – A Highland County, self-identified “Incel” was convicted for attempting to conduct a mass shooting of women. Genco plotted to commit the hate crime of shooting women at a university in Ohio.

U.S. v. Golobic – In January 2024, a federal jury convicted a former ICE deportation officer for depriving a woman under his supervision in the Alternatives to Detention (ATD) program of her fundamental right to bodily integrity, by forcing her to engage in nonconsensual sex. Andrew Golobic, was found guilty on four counts including obstructing a sex trafficking investigation, deprivation of rights under color of law, witness tampering and destruction of records in a federal investigation.

U.S. v. Johnson – Darrin Johnson pleaded guilty in February 2024 to committing a federal hate crime by physically assaulting a victim based on the victim’s race. In August 2021, Johnson assaulted an Asian American victim on Calhoun Street at the University of Cincinnati and made racist comments toward the victim, including, “Go back to your country…You brought the kung flu here…You’re going to die for bringing it.”

U.S. v. Mitchell – Former Columbus Vice Detective Andrew Mitchell was convicted for crimes related to kidnapping sex worker victims in the Hilltop neighborhood under the guise of an arrest.

U.S. v. Mooney & Stansberry – Former Pike County Deputy Jeremy Mooney was convicted by a federal jury of two counts of violating a victim’s constitutional rights by pepper spraying and punching the victim in the head, while the victim was in the custody of the Pike County Sheriff’s Office and posed no threat to himself or others. The jury found that Mooney’s offenses involved the use of a dangerous weapon and resulted in bodily injury. Mooney’s supervisor, William Stansberry, Jr., was also charged and was sentenced to six months in prison followed by six months of home detention.

U.S. v. Brime – Carlos Manuel Rodriguez Brime was convicted for threatening to bring a bomb to a local reproductive health services facility.

Martin lawsuit agreement – Kevin Martin, an owner and manager of residential rental properties in and around Athens, Ohio, agreed in August 2024 to pay $170,000 to resolve a lawsuit alleging that he sexually harassed female tenants and housing applicants in violation of the Fair Housing Act. Under the consent decree, Martin agreed to pay $165,000 to former female tenants and applicants harmed by his harassment and a $5,000 civil penalty to the United States. The consent decree permanently bars Martin from managing residential rental properties, requires him to retain a property manager for properties he continues to own, and mandates training and the adoption of policies and procedures to prevent future discrimination.

Child Exploitation

U.S. v. Davis – Springfield resident Marcus Leon Davis was sentenced in May 2024 to 100 years in prison for creating and distributing child pornography by documenting his sexual abuse of children. Davis received the maximum sentence on each count as charged and will serve those sentences consecutively.

U.S. v. Jackson – Nalah Jackson was convicted for kidnapping two twin five-month-old infants in December 2022. Jackson stole a car that was running at a Donatos Pizza on North High Street in Columbus; the infants were in the car. Jackson ultimately left one baby at Dayton International Airport the same night and one baby near a Papa Johns restaurant in Indianapolis the next day.

U.S. v. Morrison – Jeremiah Morrison was convicted for obtaining material on the dark web depicting the torture, mutilation and murder of children. He traded it for images and videos of sexual abuse of young children.

U.S. v. Porter, et al. – Larry Dean Porter, was convicted for running a a Scioto County child sex trafficking operation. In 2020, Porter and several of his family members and associates were charged in the case involving physical and sexual abuse of women and children in Scioto County that spanned numerous decades. Porterexchanged drugs obtained in Columbus and elsewhere for sexual access to the children of drug-addicted parents and guardians.

U.S. v. Kovacs – Former longtime Beavercreek police officer Kevin Kovacs was convicted for committing two counts of transporting and possessing child pornography. Kovacs spent the last six years of his police career as a D.A.R.E. officer in Beavercreek City Schools.

U.S. v. Wilson & Wilson – A Bexley husband and wife were convicted for their crimes related to the sexual abuse of minor children. Stephen Wilson and Jessica Wilson created child pornography videos and pictures of sexual abuse while exchanging text messages discussing the abuse. Stephen Wilson sexually abused at least three minors between the ages of 7 and 16. Stephen had video cameras inside his home, including his bedroom, and used those cameras to document and create videos and still images of the abuse. In one incident, Stephen drugged a minor victim with alcohol and ecstasy and raped the victim while she was semi-conscious-to-unconscious. He created a 22-minute video depicting that sexual assault.

U.S. v. Foley – In January 2024, former high school teacher Justin Foley was convicted for crimes related to secretly recording explicit videos of his students at school and possessing child sexual abuse material. Foley was employed as a chemistry teacher at Columbus Alternative High School at the time of his offenses. He used his cell phone and other digital media devices in a hidden manner to capture the genitalia of his female students under their skirts and shorts during the school day. He also secretly recorded victims at local department stores in central Ohio, public areas of downtown Delaware, Ohio, and various dressing rooms at different unidentified locations.

U.S. v. Roberts – Ty Brandon Roberts was convicted for victimizing children as young as 6 years old over a 15-year period. Roberts created images and videos of child pornography through the abuse. His case includes more than 175 victims.

U.S. v. Richards – In October 2024, Kelly Richards was convicted for sex trafficking and exploiting two teenagers. The defendant drugged, raped, abused, photographed and sold two teenage girls, holding them in his apartment for multiple days.

U.S. v. Williams – Raymond Williams was convicted for offering minor victims cash and gifts to entice them into performing and/or engaging in sex acts with him. Williams provided sex toys to one victim by hiding them in places at the downtown branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library.

U.S. v. Gemienhardt & Daniels – Robert Gemienhardt and Carrie Daniels groomed minor victims, sexually abused the victims and created child pornography of the abuse. They sexually exploited children as young as 3 years old. Daniels and Gemienhardt, who was a registered sex offender in the state of Ohio, exchanged thousands of illicit text messages detailing their sexual fantasies about four separate minor victims.

Fraud Schemes & Public Corruption

U.S. v. Householder, et al. – Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder was convicted for leading a racketeering conspiracy that involved $60 million in bribes. He and former Ohio Republican Party Chair Matthew Borges were found guilty following a six-week trial that included more than 1,000 exhibits and 25 witnesses.

U.S. v. Jones & Dowling – Former FirstEnergy executives Charles Jones and Michael Dowling were indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2025. The two are charged in a racketeering conspiracy involving more than $60 million in schemes to bribe former Ohio House Representative Larry Householder and former PUCO Chairman Samuel Randazzo. 

U.S. v. Harrison – A Dayton man who claimed to be an African prince was convicted at jury trial of 10 counts of various federal fraud crimes. Daryl Robert Harrison – falsely holding himself out to be a royal prince from the African national of Ghana – told investors he had direct connections with African trucking and mining companies, and that they could expect an investment return of 28 to 33 percent. He defrauded at least 14 victims of more than $800,000.

U.S. v. Pastor – Former Cincinnati city councilman Jeffrey Pastor plead guilty to honest services wire fraud. Pastor received a $15,000 cash bribe in return for his official action to advance development projects in the city.

U.S. v. Sittenfeld – Former Cincinnati city councilman Alexander “P.G.” Sittenfeld was convicted for bribery and attempted extortion by a government official. Sittenfeld was convicted following a jury trial in June and July 2022. According to court documents and trial testimony, Sittenfeld accepted $20,000 in bribe payments to his political action committee (PAC) from undercover FBI agents posing as corrupt businessmen working with a real estate developer.

U.S. v. Asante, et al. – Seven defendants were convicted for conspiring to launder more than $11.8 million of online romance scam proceeds. Other individuals created several profiles on online dating sites. They then contacted men and women throughout the United States and elsewhere, with whom they cultivated a sense of affection, and often, romance. After establishing relationships, perpetrators of the romance scams requested money, typically for investment or need-based reasons, and provided account information and directions for where money should be sent. In part, these accounts were in the names of the defendants, their family members and their companies.

U.S. v. Adkins – Jason Adkins was convicted for orchestrating a $50 million Ponzi scheme involving over-sized tires. Adkins resided in Jackson County and defrauded more than 50 investors from all over the country and the world. Adkins and others claimed that they bought and sold over-sized tires commonly known as off-the-road tires, which are used on earth moving equipment and/or mining equipment. Investors were told their money would be used to buy the tires at a steep discount, and that the tires would then be re-sold to a buyer at a much higher rate. Two other defendants have been charged and convicted connected to this scheme.

U.S. v. Thomas – Mark Alan Thomas, a former Belmont County attorney, was convicted for committing mail fraud related to stealing more than $882,000 from an elderly woman with dementia while purporting to act in her best interests under a Power of Attorney.

U.S. v. Misseldine – Ava Misseldine is a former bakery owner who was convicted for stealing the identity of a deceased baby and committing more than $1.5 million in pandemic relief fraud. She was sentenced in August 2023 to 72 months in prison. As part of her sentence, she will pay more than $1.5 million in restitution and forfeit her Utah home and profits from the recent sale of her Michigan home, both of which she bought with stolen government money.

U.S. v. Buckner, et al. – Lorin Buckner was the lead defendant convicted in a foreclosure rescue scheme that defrauded at least 780 financially distressed homeowners throughout the United States, including more than 100 individuals in the Southern District of Ohio. Buckner preyed on homeowners who had defaulted on their mortgages and convinced the victims to pay to take part in fraudulent programs on the promise it would save their homes.

U.S. v. He – Yi He was convicted for embezzling more than $26 million from his employer, a furniture company that provides furniture to retailers like Wayfair, Overstock, Kohls, Walmart and Ashley. Yi was solely responsible for payroll and payroll tax-related duties for the company. 7

Health Carousel global resolution – In March 2024, Health Carousel agreed to pay $9.25 million and pledged an additional $8 million for related healthcare projects to resolve civil and criminal investigations into the company’s visa sponsorship program.  The global resolution resolves criminal fraud and civil False Claims Act allegations that Health Carousel submitted false visa immigrant applications and caused false statements to be made to government officials while recruiting nurses, physical therapists and other healthcare professionals to the United States.

National Security & Cybercrime

U.S. v. Xu – Xufirst Chinese government intelligence officer ever to be extradited to the United States to stand trial was convicted in federal court in Cincinnati. Xu targeted American aviation companies, recruited employees to travel to China, and solicited their proprietary information, all on behalf of China.

U.S. v. Shihab – Shihab Ahmed Shihab Shihab was convicted for attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization as part of a plot to murder former United States President George W. Bush. The defendant believed the former President was responsible for killing many Iraqis and breaking apart the entire country of Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Shihab hoped to smuggle at least four Iraqis associated with ISIS into the United States with the goal of completing the assassination.

U.S. v. Almadaoji – Arrested by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, Naser Almadaoji was convicted of trying to travel to Afghanistan to join ISIS or ISIS- Khorasan (ISIS-K). The defendant intended to travel to Astana, Kazahkstan, where he planned to be smuggled into Afghanistan so that he could join and receive military training from ISIS-K in support of both that terrorist group and ISIS.

U.S. v. Uwadiae – In December 2024, Omoruyi O. Uwadiae was convicted for harassing, cyberstalking, extorting and stealing the identities of victims in multiple states including Ohio, Colorado and Washington. The defendant committed crimes targeting gay and bisexual men. He obtained sexually explicit photographs and videos from potential victims and then used the content to threaten them. Uwadiae threatened to distribute the explicit material widely on the internet and specifically to victims’ friends, family members, employers and others, and, on several occasions, he carried through with his threats.

U.S. v. Cook & Frost – Two men were convicted for conspiring to attack power grids throughout the United States to promote their white supremacy ideology. Cook and Frost engaged in a plot to attack the country’s energy infrastructure, damage the economy, and stoke division in American society in the name of white supremacy. “Revolution is our solution” was a recurring theme in the defendants’ communications to one another. The pair took concrete actions in furtherance of their plans.

Former U.S. Attorney Parker added: “I thank President Joseph Biden and Senators Sherrod Brown and Robert Portman for this incredible opportunity of service.  My deepest gratitude goes to my entire office as well as our many law enforcement and community partners, who remain dedicated public servants.  We have accomplished a great deal together and I am confident that the people in the Southern District of Ohio will continue to benefit from our collective efforts.”

The Southern District of Ohio serves more than five million residents in 48 of the 88 counties in Ohio and has offices located in Cincinnati, Columbus and Dayton.

Former ATF Director Steven M. Dettelbach stated, “At ATF I saw first-hand that Ken Parker is a warrior in the fight against violent crime. His partnership with ATF and all our state and local law enforcement partners led to the formation of Crime Gun Intelligence Centers in both Columbus and Cincinnati. They have driven down the murder and violent crime all over those regions. He has led the fight to catch and punish those who deal in and use deadly and illegal machine gun conversion devices. More people in Ohio are alive today because Ken Parker was their U.S. Attorney.”

“Ken Parker has been an outstanding partner during his tenure as United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio. He prioritized protecting the public by taking on the most significant and impactful cases. I am grateful for his commitment to keeping communities throughout the country safe and his dedication to upholding the rule of law,” said former DEA Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene.

“I want to thank U.S. Attorney Ken Parker and his team for their strong partnership with the FBI,” stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Elena Iatarola. “U.S. Attorney Parker demonstrates a strong commitment to justice and tirelessly works to protect our community and keep all citizens safe.”

“As U.S. Attorney Kenneth Parker prepares to leave office, I want to express my deepest gratitude for the privilege of working alongside him,” said Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge. “His unwavering commitment to the safety of Ohio's residents and his steadfast dedication to holding accountable those who engage in criminal activity and cause harm to others has had a profound impact.  U.S. Attorney Parker’s passion for our community, his vision for growth, and his role as a trailblazer for change has left a lasting legacy. I am particularly grateful for his invaluable support in the development and success of our Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC), which has enabled the Cincinnati Police Department to work seamlessly with our federal, state, and local partners to remove dangerous criminals from our streets and save lives. His love for Cincinnati and his collaboration with our department will not be forgotten. I am deeply thankful for his leadership, partnership, and all he has done to make our city safer.”

“USA Parker’s commitment to justice has left a lasting impact on the community by upholding the rule of law, keeping our communities safe and selflessly serving the public in pursuit of justice,” said Columbus Division of Police Chief Elaine R. Bryant. “I am grateful for the profound impact his partnership has had on the safety and well-being of the community and wish him nothing but the best in his well-deserved retirement.”

Newtown Police Chief Tom Synan stated: “USA Parker has been a proactive partner with law enforcement and the community. During his tenure he has been hands-on with the issues and the people he served, getting an in-depth understanding of the complexities our communities face from the person all the way to the resources needed on the federal level. He is part of the community finding innovative ways to enhance law enforcement efforts and improve the lives of the people he served.

“When it came to addiction, he understood it was more than a crime but a chronic mental, medical health condition. He has been a pioneer in drug supply interdiction as well addiction response. There are few that can find the balance of drug supply reduction and overdose death reduction, USA Parker did, and is part of the reason our region is seeing a significant reduction in overdose deaths. He opened the door to federal resources that allowed law enforcement to find and convict those bringing the poison of fentanyl and other synthetic drugs that hit our region so hard. He also collaborated bringing resources for those struggling with addiction, knowing just cutting off drug supply did not end addiction and they would need resources for care and treatment.

“Although the United States Attorney's position brings a set of responsibilities, the void Ken Parker as a person will leave is immeasurable. It was the man that made him a leader in our community. His compassion that took him the extra mile to serve others. His authentic curiosity to learn more about people and the issues they faced led to successful partnerships. It is a goal of those who serve the public to leave the world a better place than when they arrived. USA Parker's legacy will make our community better for generations to come.”

Chief U.S. District Judge Sarah D. Morrison stated: “For 25 years, U.S. Attorney Ken Parker has been an advocate for victims and for justice. Throughout his distinguished career with the federal government, he has been a respected attorney committed to the Constitution and the rule of law. 

“His dedication extended beyond the courtroom, as he worked to connect with the community he served.  And as U.S. Attorney, he showed a willingness and the leadership to work with defense attorneys and the Court to ensure everyone was treated fairly. 

“I want to thank U.S. Attorney Parker for his work over the last two decades and wish him success in what he may pursue next.”

“Ken Parker has been an outstanding U. S. Attorney,” said U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. “I have worked with him for over twenty years. He is a very talented federal prosecutor. Ken represents a long tradition of federal prosecutions. He has prosecuted those who have violated federal law, but always in accord with the Constitution and ethical standards. Whenever Ken Parker made a statement in court, I could be sure it absolutely true. Ken has been a great asset to this district.”

“We are deeply grateful for the partnership we have built with U.S. Attorney Kenneth Parker. His unwavering commitment to justice and support for the families of murdered children in Columbus, Ohio has been invaluable. Together, we have worked tirelessly to advocate for change and healing in our community. While we will miss his leadership, we are inspired to continue this vital mission in his honor," said Malissa Thomas-St.Clair, Founder and CEO of Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children.

Mitch Morris, Cincinnati Works Outreach & Mentoring Coordinator, stated: “U.S. Attorney Parker has contributed countless hours to Save Our Youth Kings & Queens, a nonprofit I created to show youth positive lifestyles and ultimately prevent gun violence. Attorney Parker has been a driving force in multiple ways, including conducting classroom visits, speaking to young people about gun and drug laws, and keeping our communities safe. He’s a regular presence at community events that support youth as well as adults, and his being there puts a human face on the legal system and provides a model of achievement that young people can strive for.

“U.S. Attorney Parker is a highly approachable, stellar community member. He does not shy away when there are shootings and homicides, and he also works to educate people before the crisis happens. As someone who has worked closely with U.S. Attorney Parker, I can say that his impact on Save Our Youth’s mission is meaningful now and will be truly measurable as young people grow into adulthood and follow his example.”

“Ken Parker is one of the most thoroughly decent and kind individuals with whom I have ever had the pleasure of knowing,” said Jefferson County Prosecutor Jane Hanlin. “His commitment to fostering solid and meaningful relationships between federal, state, and local law enforcement is unparalleled. He is warm, intelligent and insightful and we can only hope that all of our public servants possess the integrity that Ken demonstrates every day.  He will be missed and we are lucky to have had him.”

“I have had the honor of knowing U.S Attorney Ken Parker from the time I took office as Butler County Prosecutor many years ago. He has dedicated himself and his office to the principle we share that justice always comes first in law enforcement, the courts and life itself. With his base in Cincinnati, the public will understand when I say he has never hit a foul ball, and he will be missed. Our shared profession is indebted to Ken for his leadership and consistent application of the law in his trust and I thank him for all he has accomplished,” stated Mike Gmoser, Butler County, Ohio Prosecuting Attorney.

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