ATTORNEY GENERAL RECOGNIZES DISTRICT EMPLOYEES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 13, 2011 |
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Washington, D.C.- The trial and law enforcement team that investigated and prosecuted Bernie Hoffman, also known as Tony Alamo, was among the 163 members of the Department of Justice recognized by Attorney General Eric Holder and Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA) Director Marshall Jarrett at the 28th Annual Director’s Awards Ceremony Friday in Washington D.C.. The attorneys, agents and staff recognized were: Assistant United States Attorneys Clay Fowlkes, Kyra Jenner, and Candace Taylor, and Paralegal Specialist Karen Gentry of the United States Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Arkansas; Susan Goldsmith, M. Randall Harris, Carl Malloy, Tim Akins, Frances Casteel, Kim Weems, Jeanette Miller, Sherri Funk, all of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and John Bishop of the Arkansas State Police. Christine Larru and Jane Witten, formerly of the United States Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Arkansas, were also recognized at Friday’s ceremony.
This group from the Western District of Arkansas were recognized for superior performance by a litigative team in prosecuting Tony Alamo. Alamo is the founder and leader of Tony Alamo Christian Ministries, a radical religious organization. In July 2009, Alamo was convicted of transporting young girls across state lines to perform sexual acts with him. During the six day trial, five women testified Alamo took them as “wives,” had sexual relations with them while they were underage and that they traveled across state lines with Alamo, or at his request, for the purpose of his having sexual relations with them.
In his prepared remarks, Attorney General Holder told the awardees that they, “represent the very best that this Department has to offer” and that their “work embodies our ongoing commitment–not merely to win cases, but to do justice; to protect our fellow citizens; to empower the most vulnerable among us; and to uphold the rule of law.”
Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, commented, “This award is a great honor for this trial and law enforcement team as well as our entire office. Thanks to the hard work of these individuals, Tony Alamo was convicted and sentenced to 175 years in prison. As a result of the team’s actions in going above and beyond the call of duty, Alamo was held accountable for his terrible conduct that victimized numerous young girls. This team and this case are an excellent example of the difference that can be made with hard work and commitment to justice.”
“Each day the members of the U.S. Attorneys’ community go to work for the citizens of this country with one goal in mind–to do everything they can to protect the rights of all Americans, said EOUSA Director Jarrett. “I am continually humbled by their resiliency, dedication, and unparalleled work ethic to accomplish this noble mission. Today’s awardees exemplify what it truly means to be a patriot and it is an honor to recognize them for their extraordinary service.”
EOUSA provides oversight, general executive assistance, and direction to the 94 United States Attorneys’ offices around the country. For more information on EOUSA and its mission, visit http://www.usdoj.gov/usao.
