On Wednesday, October 27, Attorney General Eric Holder recognized 303 Department of Justice employees for their distinguished public service at the 58th Annual Attorney General Awards Ceremony. Fifty-five other individuals outside of the department were also honored for their work. Held at DAR Constitution Hall, this annual ceremony recognizes both department employees and others for their dedication to carrying out the Department of Justice’s mission. This year, three South Florida Assistant U.S. Attorneys and an intelligence analyst were among those to receive this prestigious award: Assistant U.S. Attorneys Caroline Heck Miller, Karen Rochlin, and Melissa Damian, and Intelligent Specialist Angel Martinez.

“It is my pleasure to congratulate this year’s Attorney General Award winners and to recognize their extraordinary contributions,” Attorney General Holder said. “Not only is their service to our nation inspiring, it is strengthening the work of the Justice Department at every level and making a powerful difference for people across our country, and far beyond. This year’s awardees exemplify the Department’s finest traditions, and I am privileged, and grateful, to count them as colleagues.”

Wifredo Ferrer, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida added, “Each day, I am proud of the work done by the talented men and women of my office. Today, however, I am particularly proud to recognize the outstanding achievements of AUSAs Heck Miller, Rochlin, and Damian, and Intelligence Specialist Martinez. Their self-less dedication to duty and commitment to justice is unparalleled.”

More specifically, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Caroline Heck Miller and Karen Rochlin received the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service. This is the Department’s second highest award for its employees. In all, fifteen Distinguished Service Awards were presented this year. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Miller and Rochlin received their award for their exemplary work in U.S. v. Roy Belfast, Jr., aka “Chuckie Taylor.”

Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Damian received the Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Furthering the Interests of U.S. National Security. This award recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions towards protecting U.S. National Security. Assistant U.S. Attorney Damian received this award for her work in Operation Render Safe. Intelligence Specialist Angel Martinez also received the award for his work in Operation Render Safe. They were one of two teams receiving the award this year.

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A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.