United States Attorney’s Office acknowledges National Crime Victims’ Rights week

ST. LOUIS - The U. S. Attorney’s Office stands with all victims during the 40^th anniversary of ‘National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.’ The men and women, working cases in the Eastern District of Missouri, are united in a commitment to making sure all crime victims feel heard, respected and remembered.

Last year, in an effort to make our city safer, federal prosecutors worked 716 illegal firearms cases, and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department seized 2,612 guns. The United States Attorney’s Office remains committed to prioritizing the prosecution of those who illegally possess firearms and the protection of those victimized by violent actors.

The office’s Victim Witness Unit continues to support victims of child exploitation, violent crime, white collar crime, identity theft, drug overdoses, human trafficking and civil rights violations.

The VWU, so far this year, is helping 376 victims. The unit estimates 18% of those victims are under the age of 17. In 2020, the VWU helped 549 victims with about 10% percent of those victims under the age of 17.  

Victims don’t suffer only physical harm. Many fall prey to scammers.

The office’s Financial Litigation Unit collected $2,195,239.90 in restitution, fines and special assessments for crime victims in March 2021 alone. The total, so far in 2021, is $2,743,369.38. The FLU collected, in all of 2020, $20,309,605.20 for victims.

“Protecting the community and vindicating the rights of victims are paramount.” said U.S. Attorney Sayler A. Fleming, “I am proud of the tireless efforts of our office and our law enforcement partners undertake to prevent crime and support victims.”

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