United States Attorney and Grant County Prosecuting Attorney Announce Appointment of Deputy Prosecutor Carlee Bittle as a Special Assistant United States Attorney

Spokane, WA – United States Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref and Grant County Prosecuting Attorney Kevin McCrae jointly announced today that Carlee Bittle, who serves as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Grant County, has been appointed as a Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA) for the Eastern District of Washington. As a SAUSA, Bittle will prosecute cases in both state and federal court, focusing primarily on crimes against children. 

In making this announcement, U.S. Attorney Waldref reiterated her office’s commitment to holding accountable those who harm children: “We will continue to prosecute the area’s most dangerous criminals to the fullest extent. Today’s announcement should serve as yet another signal to those who victimize children that such crimes will not be tolerated in our communities.”

U.S. Attorney Waldref continued, “Federal, State, Tribal, and local partnerships are essential to building safer and stronger communities in Eastern Washington. Many of these partnerships exist on the law enforcement level, including through joint task forces and cross deputization agreements.” U.S. Attorney Waldref further emphasized, “By combining federal and state resources, we are able to accomplish more to keep our communities safe than we otherwise could.” The SAUSA program applies this same principle to criminal prosecution – permitting experienced prosecutors to handle criminal cases in both state court and federal court.

Grant County Prosecuting Attorney Kevin McCrae similarly addressed the importance of utilizing state and federal partnerships to address crime against children, “As a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney and a SAUSA, Carlee Bittle will have the ability to rely on both federal and state laws to prosecute those who commit crimes against our children, allowing us to better protect children and achieve justice on behalf of children who are harmed.”

Both U.S. Attorney Waldref and Prosecuting Attorney McCrae also commended SAUSA Bittle’s commitment and dedication to public service.  Bittle has served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Grant County since July of 2017.  She is primarily responsible for the prosecution of SAU cases. The Special Assault Unit (SAU) prosecutes sex offenses, crimes against children and crimes of domestic violence.

Newly appointed SAUSA Bittle expressed her continued desire to protect the most vulnerable in our communities. “I’m excited to join the U.S. Attorney’s Office, while also continuing my work as a state prosecutor in Grant County. It is an honor to work with the talented state and federal investigators, who devote their careers to protecting young children from physical and sexual abuse.  Through combined state and federal efforts, we can make Grant County a safer place to live, work, and raise our families.”  

During a resent visit to the federal courthouse in Spokane, SAUSA Bittle was sworn in as a member of the federal bar for the Eastern District of Washington.  Photographs of SAUSA Bittle are included below.