Attorney General Jeff Sessions Hosts the 65th Annual Attorney General Awards Honoring Department Employees and Others for Their Service

WASHINGTON – Attorney General Jeff Sessions recognized 202 department employees for their distinguished public service today at the 65^nd Annual Attorney General’s Awards Ceremony.  Nineteen other individuals outside of the department were also honored for their work.  This annual ceremony recognizes individuals for their outstanding service and dedication to carrying out the missions of the Department of Justice.  The department will also present one posthumous award to Deputy Commander Patrick T. Carothers for exceptional heroism in the line of duty during a fugitive apprehension in Allenhurst, Georgia on Nov. 18, 2016, in which Deputy Commander Carothers was mortally wounded.

 “Every single day, the 115,000 men and women of the Department of Justice work to protect our national security against terrorist threats, defend the civil rights of all Americans, reduce violent crime in our communities, stop deadly drug dealers and their organizations, and strengthen the rule of law,” said Attorney General Sessions.  “This work benefits every American, and each Department of Justice employee plays a role that helps us accomplish our objectives. Today, we take a moment to recognize those who have distinguished themselves by exemplary service to the Department. Each one of these men and women—through their dedication and commitment—has made a difference. Meeting with them and their families today, I am more confident than ever that the Department—and the safety of the American people—are in good hands.”

This year’s program honors individuals across the department and our federal, state, local, and tribal partners for their self-less efforts, protecting our national security and our civil rights, addressing rising violent crime in our communities, going after gangs and those trafficking in dangerous narcotics and human beings.  The awards also honor the work of civil and environmental litigation, which enforces the rule of law and upholds our Constitution.  They also recognize employees whose ideas and efforts save taxpayer dollars and help our government operate more effectively and efficiently, among other contributions to public safety and good governance.

The Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement was presented to a group of law enforcement professionals from the Eastern District of Tennessee for their extraordinary teamwork in the successful investigation and prosecution of a violent drug dealing and human trafficking organization.  Today’s award recipients included:

Allen P. Pack, Jr., Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation

Gregory J. Smith, Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation

Steven T. Fogarty, Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation

Ted S. Francisco, Special Agent, Homeland Security Investigations

Michelle L. Evans, Special Agent, Homeland Security Investigations

Carl Richard Walker, Jr., Special Agent, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation

Sollie W. Rabun III, Trooper, Tennessee Highway Patrol

Patrick L. White, Captain, Elizabethton Police Department

The trial team associated with these successful prosecutions included Assistant U.S. Attorney’s Donald Wayne Taylor, Jr., Helen C.T. Smith, and J. Christian Lampe assisted by Paralegal Specialist Cynthia St. John.  

From 2009 through 2014, approximately 55 individuals associated with this organization were indicted and convicted of federal offenses associated with drug trafficking, firearms, immigration, and human trafficking.  The organization and its associates were officially linked to drug suppliers from Tennessee, North Carolina, California, Oklahoma, Arizona, and ultimately a major drug organization in Mexico. The human trafficking portion of the operation affected such states as Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Ohio and Georgia.  Removal of the drug operation and its numerous associates had a profound impact on the area.  Arrests and convictions associated with the human trafficking portion of the investigation resulted in the rescue of numerous victims and likely saved countless lives.

            U.S. Attorney Nancy Stallard Harr praised today’s award recipients, as well as the prosecution team, for their success in eliminating this combined violent drug and human trafficking organization. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is extremely proud of these dedicated, hard-working individuals.  Their endeavor to eradicate a serious threat to the American public unquestionably improved the safety and well-being of law-abiding citizens in the region. Their success is due to the outstanding communication, commitment and perseverance by the multiple federal, state and local agencies and the prosecution team in our office,” said U.S. Attorney Harr.

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