Baltimore, Maryland - Maryland U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein joined public officials, law enforcement officers, corrections employees and community organizers this morning to speak to approximately 60 juveniles in custody on adult charges at the Baltimore City Detention Center. The summit, organized by the Intensive Gang Intervention Initiative of the Family League of Baltimore City, was designed to warn young offenders about the consequences of crime and inform them about opportunities to change their lives.

“Almost every criminal we prosecute on federal gun and drug charges has a lengthy record of arrests and convictions as a juvenile and young adult,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “We can only achieve our goal of permanently reducing crime if juvenile criminals decide not to become adult criminals. Too many young men learn only too late about the mandatory minimum sentences of 20 years or more that they will face in federal court, serving time in prisons far from home with no probation and no parole. I went to jail today to make sure that these young men and women understand the consequences they will face if they return to a life of drugs and violence, and I am proud to work with the many dedicated charitable organizations that are working to bring hope and opportunities to young men and women who choose to remain on the right side of the law.”

Mr. Rosenstein thanked the participants in the program and expressed his appreciation to Troy Williams, Community Outreach Coordinator for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.