United States Attorney Benjamin C. Glassman announces resignation

CINCINNATI – United States Attorney Benjamin C. Glassman, 44, of Greater Cincinnati, has announced his resignation effective 3pm on Nov. 1.

Glassman, a graduate of Rice University and Harvard Law School, joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 2005. After becoming Acting United States Attorney in March 2016, he has served as United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio since his appointment to that position by Attorney General Loretta Lynch in October 2016. He previously served as First Assistant United States Attorney, Acting Criminal Chief and Appellate Chief.

The office increased its total productivity every year during Glassman’s tenure. A chart of some of the most significant or noteworthy cases pursued under his leadership is attached.

These include the United States’ first-ever indictment and extradition of an alleged Chinese intelligence officer for attempted economic espionage, a prosecution for racketeering of the Ohio clique of MS-13 that has resulted in a life sentence for its leader, one of only two criminal cases in the nation against an opioid wholesaler and its executives, prosecutions arising out of several of the most significant financial frauds in the history of Ohio and West Virginia, the first-ever federal carfentanil-trafficking case, criminal civil rights prosecutions for hate crimes and other offenses under color of state law, crimes of public corruption, and far-reaching investigations and prosecutions for exploitation of the most vulnerable.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office also devoted increased resources and attention to federal civil rights laws, and has led significant civil litigation to enforce the guarantees of the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Glassman sought to address the opioid crisis and violent crime not only by devoting resources to those areas but also by building and leveraging partnerships among law enforcement at all levels of government.

The office developed task-force approaches to combatting opioid distribution, appointed prosecutors specifically for enforcement in that area, and partnered with the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice to multiply effectiveness.

Beginning in 2016, the office created violent crime working groups among law enforcement and prosecuting agencies to share intelligence and analytics, and to strategize the most effective ways to address those individuals responsible for a disproportionate share of violence.

Prevention efforts in these areas included outreach to middle and high school populations regarding opioid addiction and the student pledge against gun violence.

The district also completed call-in programs for high-risk probationers in all three seats of court and worked with the United States Probation Office to build programs to improve the reentry of citizens completing prison sentences.

Current data show that both fatal overdoses and violent crime in the district are declining.

During his tenure as United States Attorney, Glassman served on the Terrorism and National Security Subcommittee of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee, as well as the Department of Justice’s Heroin & Opioid, Health Care Fraud, Domestic Terrorism, and MS-13 Working Groups.  He is a member of the interagency Domestic Terrorism Executive Committee and currently chairs the executive board of the Ohio High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. Glassman also personally litigated cases at both the trial and appellate levels and was the first in the last twenty years to try a criminal case in this district to verdict while serving as U.S. Attorney.

Law enforcement and community partners offered the following statements:

United States Marshal Pete Tobin

“Ben Glassman has a tremendous energy and enthusiasm for his work. He has been quick to publicly recognize the great work of law enforcement personnel in many agencies. He has always taken time to talk with any of us when we needed a word. Always with a smile, always with kindness, always a gentleman, he has created a special atmosphere among all of us in law enforcement within our district. He will be sorely missed by all of us.”

Dayton Police Chief Richard Biehl

“I have known Ben Glassman for nearly two decades and have been impressed with his career progression as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and most recently as the U.S Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio. In the past few years, the Dayton Police Department has worked closely with Ben Glassman and his prosecutorial team on enforcement strategies to address the opioid epidemic crisis in the Miami Valley that involved key arrests and prosecutions, helping to curtail the illicit drug market that had led to the largest number of overdose deaths regionally and nationally that I have witnessed in more than 40 years of law enforcement and community safety service.  The recent federal charges filed against nineteen individuals for drug offenses related to the trafficking of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin involving a regional drug ring is just one example. Also, U.S Attorney Glassman and his staff provided significant investigative support via expedited search warrants to examine digital evidence related to the suspect in the Oregon District mass shooting. 

I have always been impressed with Ben’s professionalism, dedication to public service, and support of local, state and federal law enforcement partners in the pursuit of public safety and community justice. We will miss his great skill and dedication that has been of such great service to our community and the Miami Valley region!”

DEA Operational Support Assistant Administrator Tim Plancon

“Mr. Glassman has been a staunch ally of DEA’s efforts as we work to combat drug trafficking in Southern Ohio and the violence and devastation that inevitably follows. He is a tremendous prosecutor who has always focused on public safety and safeguarding Ohians.”

DEA Special Agent in Charge Keith Martin

“Under U.S. Attorney Glassman’s leadership this past summer, we saw the indictment of two executives of a now defunct wholesale drug distributor that was flooding the Appalachian region with millions of units of opioids. This historical step of holding a distributor accountable is just one example of his commitment to justice.”

IRS-CID Special Agent in Charge, Chicago Field Office, Kathy A. Enstrom

“From the moment Ben Glassman became the U.S. Attorney for Southern Ohio, he was dedicated to ensuring the most egregious criminals were investigated and brought to justice. The support that IRS Criminal Investigation received from Ben and his office demonstrated his commitment to ensuring tax and money laundering criminals were brought to justice.  It was an honor and pleasure to work alongside Ben during my time as Special Agent in Charge of the Cincinnati Field Office.”

Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot K. Isaac

“U.S. Attorney Benjamin Glassman and the entire staff of the Southern District of Ohio have been amazing partners with the Cincinnati Police Department during Mr. Glassman’s tenure and we greatly appreciate his leadership. Under Attorney Glassman's leadership there have been several critical cases that have led to the successful prosecution of priority offenders who were causing significant harm to our community through gun violence and illicit drug trafficking.  It has been a privilege to work with Attorney Glassman and we look forward to our continued collaboration with the Southern District of Ohio.”

Kim Jacobs, former Columbus Police Chief

"U.S. Attorney Ben Glassman epitomizes professionalism and integrity. He put country and community first and ensured that violent criminals were investigated and charged in accordance wih the law and justice. He was humble and effective at the same time."

Washintgon County Sheriff Larry Mincks

"It has been my pleasure to work with Ben for the last several years. Ben was the only U.S. Attorney who frequently visited Washington County and assisted us in criminal investigations. He utilized the assets of his office to prosecute criminals violating federal statutes who otherwise would have gone untouched. It was satisfying to know the federal government had an interest in our small community."

Jackie Congedo, Director, Jewish Community Relations Council of Cincinnati

“U.S. Attorney Glassman has been a true partner in the work of securing all faith communities in southwest Ohio. In the Jewish community, we are particularly grateful for his courageous, thorough, and precedent-setting prosecution of hate crime—sending a strong and urgent message that crime motivated by bias will not be tolerated. During a time when incidents of antisemitism and other forms of hate are on the rise, U.S. Attorney Glassman’s commitment to the cause of justice for targeted communities has been nothing short of critical, and we are truly grateful for his service.”

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