Attorney General Recognizes Five from Washington Field Office

WASHINGTON—Attorney General Eric Holder has recognized five special agents from the Washington Field Office for their outstanding investigative work on two major cases.

C. Bryan Paarman, Tara A. Bloesch, and Henry C. Heim were presented the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service, the Justice Department’s highest award, for their work as part of the team that dedicated themselves to preserving the safety of the United States and its citizens by preventing an al Qaeda plot to attack the New York City subway system. Ammar Y. Barghouty and Kiffa Shirley were presented with the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service, second highest award for employee performance, for their exemplary work in Operation Phish Phry, a complex and sophisticated international computer intrusion, identity theft and money laundering investigation.

The five were among the 303 Department of Justice employees and 55 other individuals outside the Department recognized for their distinguished public service at the 58th Annual Attorney General Awards Ceremony. Held at DAR Constitution Hall, this annual ceremony recognizes both department employees and others for their dedication to carrying out the Department of Justice’s mission.

“It is my pleasure to congratulate this year’s Attorney General Award winners and to recognize their extraordinary contributions,” Attorney General Holder said. “Not only is their service to our nation inspiring, it is strengthening the work of the Justice Department at every level and making a powerful difference for people across our country, and far beyond. This year’s awardees exemplify the Department’s finest traditions, and I am privileged, and grateful, to count them as colleagues.”

“By tracking down a dangerous terrorist and stopping a sophisticated international computer hacking scheme these individuals personified the FBI’s mission—to protect and defend the United States against terrorist attack, uphold the Constitution and enforce criminal law,” said John Perren, Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office.

The Washington Field Office is the FBI’s second largest field office and is led by an assistant director in charge, five special agents in charge, and 12 assistant special agents in charge. The office employs a total of approximately 800 special agents and 750 professional staff. The territory encompasses the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia, including Alexandria County, Arlington County, Fairfax (city and county), Falls Church, Fauquier County, Leesburg, Loudon County, Manassas, Prince Williams County, Quantico, Vienna, and Warrenton. The area of responsibility encompasses over 2,629 square miles and an estimated population of more than 3.3 million people.