U.S. Attorney’s Office Recognizes Exceptional Law Enforcement Work at its Annual Law Enforcement Awards Ceremony

On May 15, 2019, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont (USAO) honored a number of individuals from a variety of law enforcement agencies at the USAO’s second annual Law Enforcement Awards Ceremony. This ceremony was held at the federal building in Burlington, Vermont. Individual investigators and officers were nominated by USAO staff in a variety of categories for their outstanding work supporting the mission of this office. Award recipients came from federal, state and local agencies from across Vermont. The specific categories and individuals recognized today are as follows:

Investigative Achievement Award (recognizes those who have substantially contributed to the mission of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.)

Corporal George Rodriguez – Vermont State Police
(United States v. Pappano, Smith & Jones)

Special Agent Jennifer Vander Veer – FBI
(for a collection of outstanding work investigating cyber crimes)

Special Agent Brandon Hope – DEA
(United States v. Holmes)

Task Force Officer Robert Estes – DEA/Essex PD
(United States v. Holmes)

Task Force Officer John McGarghan – DEA/ US Border Patrol
(United States v. Holmes)

Intelligence Research Specialist Marilyn Epp – DEA
(United State v. Holmes)

Exceptional Contribution to a Federal Prosecution (recognizes those who significantly impacted law enforcement’s ability to: 1) arrest, apprehend and prosecute a subject of a federal investigation; 2) rescue and respond to victims; 3) develop cooperating witnesses; and/or 4) identify critical intelligence.)

Detective Jonathan Whiteman – Vermont Drug Task Force/Brattleboro PD
(United States v. Jones)
 
Investigative Excellence Award (recognizes those whose actions led directly to the arrest of a dangerous subject or to the exposure of a significant criminal/civil conspiracy.)

Trooper William Phelps – Vermont State Police
(United States v. Churchill)

Special Agent Jeremy Stalla – U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service
(United States v. Gu)

Special Agent Lorne Segerstrom –  U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service
(United States v. Gu)
                                                                                                                                                 
Investigative Specialist Scott Rogers –  U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service
(United States v. Gu)

Passport Specialist Manuel Pacheco – State Department
(United States v. Gu)

Outstanding Collaborative Investigation Award (recognizes those who have demonstrated outstanding efforts or overcome significant challenges in collaboration with multiple agencies in order to advance the mission of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.)

Detective Trooper Giancarlo DiGenova – Vermont Drug Task Force/Vermont State Police
(United States v. Harris)

Detective Sergeant Karl Gardner – Vermont Drug Task Force/Vermont State Police
(United States v. Harris)

Special Agent Colin Simons – FBI
(United States v. Harris)

Special Agent Tom Doud – DEA
(United States v. Harris)

Detective Corporal Frank Scalise – Milton PD
(United States v. Harris)

Detective Corporal Dan Gilligan – Burlington PD
(United States v. Monroe)

Detective Corporal Jeff Beerworth – Burlington PD
(United States v. Monroe)

Special Agent Scott Murray – ATF
(United States v. Monroe)

Special Agent Matthew Ekstrom – ATF
(United States v. Monroe)

Detective Sergeant Todd Baxter – Major Crime Unit/Vermont State Police
(United States v. Hoisington)

Detective Sergeant Scott Dunlap – Major Crime Unit/Vermont State Police
(United States v. Hoisington)

Detective Sergeant Todd Ambroz – Fire Investigation Unit/Vermont State Police
(United States v. Hoisington)                                                                                     

Detective Sergeant Wade Cochran – Vermont Drug Task Force /Montpelier PD
(United States v. Hoisington)

Special Agent Matthew Ekstrom – ATF
(United States v. Hoisington)
 
Each recipient received an award letter from U.S. Attorney Christina Nolan, as well as an engraved award commemorating their outstanding efforts. Award recipients were joined by colleagues, family and friends at today’s ceremony.  U.S. Attorney Nolan congratulated the award recipients.  She stated:  “We at the U.S. Attorney’s Office are thrilled to be hosting this second annual Law Enforcement Awards Ceremony.  We intend that this event become a time-honored tradition of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.  We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to our law enforcement partners, who support and make possible, the important case work we do at the U.S. Attorney’s Office.  They make decisions every day to stand on the front lines of our campaigns to combat dangerous crime.  We thank them and their families for their sacrifices.  We cannot overstate our support and appreciation for our police officers, and we are proud to recognize and celebrate their outstanding achievements at this awards ceremony.”