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Press Release

U.S. Attorney's Office Hosts Annual Distinguished Victim Services Award Ceremony

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of North Carolina
U.S. Attorney Dena J. King Recognized 11 Recipients for Their Contributions to Crime Victims’ Rights

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – To commemorate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW),

the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina hosted its annual Distinguished Victim Services Award ceremony, recognizing 11 recipients for their significant support, advocacy, and services to crime victims and their contributions to the cause of justice.

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is April 23-29, 2023. The Justice Department’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) has selected this year’s NCVRW theme, “Survivor Voices: Elevate. Engage. Effect Change,” to emphasize the importance of engaging with victims of crime; learning from their lived experiences; amplifying their voices; and fostering an environment where they are heard, believed, and supported.

“National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is an opportunity to honor and recognize outstanding individuals and organizations for their efforts to advocate on behalf of crime victims, and for their exceptional commitment to the pursuit of justice for victims and their families,” said U.S. Attorney Dena J. King. “This year’s recipients were selected for their professionalism, their advocacy, their superior service to crime victims, and their unwavering commitment to making sure that crime victims, crime survivors and their families have equal access to the resources and services they are entitled to on their path to recovery.”

The 11 award recipients recognized for their work are:

Outstanding Law Enforcement Award

  • Deputy David Coffman – Catawba County Sheriff’s Office
  • Special Agent Timothy Kyle Thiel – Homeland Security Investigations

Outstanding Criminal Justice Professional Award

  • Assistant U.S. Attorney William Bozin
  • Assistant U.S. Attorney Lambert Guinn

Outstanding Support Staff Award

  • Supervisory Legal Assistant Pamela Burgess
  • Student Intern Marim Habib

Outstanding Victim Advocate Award

  • Adelaide Auman – Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department
  • Migdalia Cortes – Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department
  • Present Age Ministries – Concord, North Carolina

Outstanding USAO Partner

  • Tracey Bernstein – Holiday Inn City Center
  • Demetria Brittingham - U.S. Marshals Service

In presenting the awards today, U.S. Attorney King thanked the recipients for their outstanding dedication and service in working with crime victims and noted the important role each honoree has played in delivering justice and providing victims with the support they need in the aftermath of crime.

Throughout the nation and in the Western District of North Carolina, victim advocacy organizations, community groups, and state, local, and Tribal agencies host rallies, candlelight vigils, and other events during NCVRW, to raise awareness of victims’ rights and services.

The Office for Victims of Crime leads communities in their annual observances of NCVRW. On Wednesday, April 26, 2023, a candlelight vigil will be held on the National Mall from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. eastern time, to pay tribute to victims of crime and the many dedicated professionals and volunteers who advocate on their behalf. Attendees will also observe a moment of silence to honor all crime victims. Use this link to register for the event. For more information about how to support all victims of crime, visit OVC’s website at ovc.ojp.gov.

Additional information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office Victim/Witness Assistance Program can be found here.

Updated April 26, 2023

Topic
Community Outreach