FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AG THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 1996 (202) 514-2008 TDD (202) 514-1888 TERRORISM PROSECUTORS, OKLAHOMA AGENTS RECEIVE TOP JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AWARDS WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The World Trade Center bombing prosecution team and law enforcement officers who helped coordinate rescue and search efforts after the terrorist bombing in Oklahoma City, received the Justice Department's highest awards today. Eighty-two Department employees and 11 other individuals were honored at the 44th Annual Attorney General's Awards Ceremony held at the Andrew Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. Attorney General Janet Reno presented Exceptional Service Awards to Assistant U.S. Attorneys (AUSAs) Andrew C. McCarthy, Patrick J. Fitzgerald, Robert S. Khuzami and Alexandra Rebay, and Paralegal Specialists Jane Chu and Joseph E. Doherty of the Southern District of New York for their successful investigation and prosecution of Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman and 10 of his followers for their terrorist activities in the New York metropolitan area. DEA Senior Special Agent David Schickendanz and Regina Bonny, a DEA Task Force officer and corporal in the Midwest City Police Department, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, also received Exceptional Service Awards for their leadership and gallant efforts on the morning of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah federal building in Oklahoma City. Schickendanz's courage and leadership saved his own life, the life of a fellow DEA agent and other federal employees when, disregarding his own injuries, he took control and coordinated rescue and search efforts for remaining DEA personnel. Bonnie was propelled by the bomb blast into a cement wall and roof line. After regaining consciousness, she tunneled out of the rubble and, without regard to her own physical injuries, located two severely injured Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF) employees, administered first aid and carried the two down nine flights of stairs to rescue and medical attention. "It is an honor to be able to bestow these awards on such deserving public citizens," Reno said. "The recipients of these awards have risked their lives and put their reputations on the line to ensure the safety and well being of our nation." Reno presented the Attorney General's award for Exceptional Heroism to Border Patrol Agent Juanita Santana for her extraordinary display of courage, stamina, and willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty after being shot and seriously wounded on June 29, 1995, after stopping a vehicle in which three suspects were transporting cocaine. Santana was shot four times without warning when she approached the stopped vehicle. Remaining calm and composed, she continued to pursue the three armed suspects until they were stopped and an undocumented alien and two gunmen arrested. Michael J. Roper was awarded The Mary C. Lawton Lifetime Service Award for his distinguished and dedicated 22-year career with the Department. Since his appointment as Controller in 1987, the Department's budget has grown by more than 250 percent --from 3.9 To 13.7 billion dollars--the largest increase of any cabinet agency. Roper has guided the Department's budget through years of dramatic increases which resulted from priority programs, congressional actions, and administration initiatives and he was the Department's key expert on the funding aspects of the 1995 crime bill. The William French Smith award for Outstanding Contribution to Cooperative Law Enforcement, created to commemorate former Attorney General Smith, provides recognition to individuals who have served on coordinating committees, and have made outstanding contributions to their operations and effectiveness. This year's award was presented to Juan Arvizu and Karl G. Auerbach for their outstanding efforts in enhancing the cooperative efforts of tribal, state and local law enforcement in combatting the illegal activities of street gangs in Indian country and the Salt River, Arizona, community. Their continuing endeavors to educate law enforcement and the public about gang activity, contributed greatly to the investigation of street gangs within the district of Arizona and nationwide. DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDS Thirty-six individuals received The Attorney General's Distinguished Service Award, the second highest form of recognition bestowed by the Department. They include: Linda J. McKay, Block Grant Program Manager in the Office of Justice Programs of the Bureau of Justice Assistance -- for her dedicated service in developing the bureau's multi-million dollar state criminal alien assistance program; assisting states with requirements to conduct HIV testing for sex offenders; and implementing the criminal history records improvement program which has resulted in improved information sharing of state criminal history records. Robert K. Bratt, Executive Officer of the Criminal Division -- for his innovative and dynamic leadership in making significant technological and management advances to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Criminal Division. David M. Cohen, Director of the Civil Division's Commercial Litigation Branch -- for his many years of extraordinary achievement in shaping the structure of the courts in which he practices; and building a significant body of law and legal precedent that safeguards the government from unfair claims and illegal trade practices by aggressively defending government contract decisions, and pursuing customs fraud violations. K. Jack Haugrud, Assistant Chief; Margo Miller, Allison Rumsey, and Caroline Zander, Trial Attorneys; and Thomas Alderson, Paralegal Specialist, of the General Litigation Section, Environment and Natural Resources Division -- for their leadership role, cooperative efforts, sound judgment, and tireless dedication in deftly handling the multitude of legal issues posed by numerous county supremacy cases, including United States v. Nye county, Nevada and the State of Nevada. These cases involved issues related to the enactment of local ordinances by western counties purporting to limit the federal government's control over federal public lands. Haugrud's hands- on involvement in each of these actions, and the talents and hard work of his team, were the primary forces behind avoiding violence and reopening communications between federal agencies and the counties. Ronald E. Sanders, Chief Border Patrol Agent of the Tucson, Arizona, sector of INS -- for his leadership and management skills in successfully achieving a balance of service and enforcement within the Tucson sector by creating a cultural awareness training class in the post academy training program, developing a coordinated approach to crime prevention through his work with local law enforcement groups, and redesigning procedures for returning aliens that decreased congestion in the border cities. Under his leadership, complaints of abuse against the Border Patrol have decreased, crime has declined, arrest and drug seizures have increased, and tourism thrives. Grover Hartt, III, Assistant Chief of the Civil Trial Section in the Tax division -- for his exceptional service in representing the government's interests in the case In Re I.C.H. Corporation, a Chapter 11 bankruptcy case resulting in the collection of over 71 million dollars just 80 days after the case was filed, by coordinating the efforts of several IRS components. Gloria Solano, Program Specialist in the Miami field office of the Community Relations Service, for her leadership, hard work, persistence, and dedication during Operation Sea Signal. This program was a joint National Security Council and Departments Defense, State, and Justice operation, in which more than 45,000 Cuban and Haitian rafters and boat people paroled and resettled into the U.S. between 1994 and 1996. Salano's efforts with other federal, local, and voluntary agencies created an orderly process for resettling more than 550 Cubans and Haitians per week. Anthony J. Antenucci, Operations Research Analyst, DEA; Philip D. Armold, Correctional Program Specialist, Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Victor Fuentes, Computer Specialist, INS; Donald M. Johnson, Unit Chief, Program Development Section, FBI; Julie A. Jones, Assistant Director, Information Management Security Staff, Justice Management Division; Charles V. Sangaline, Supervisory Computer Specialist, U.S. Marshals Service (USMS); and A. Ralph Zurita, Assistant Chief Deputy, Southern District of Florida, USMS, a group of seven computer, research, and information management specialists, for their leadership and creative efforts in developing the Department of Justice Joint Automated Booking Station, also known as JABS. This project is a Justice Performance Review demonstration laboratory designed to change the federal prisoner processing system by eliminating redundant booking systems, sharing information between agencies, and reducing the processing time for submission of fingerprints and photographs to the FBI's criminal identification center through electronic imaging and file transfer technology. Peter M. Carlson, Assistant Director for the Correctional Programs Division of BOP for consistent, outstanding performance and leadership in directing the Bureau's response to, and successful resolution of 10 major institution disturbances and other scattered incidents occurring in 1995 and coordinating the largest emergency response drill, working in concert with numerous federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Daniel Molerio, Assistant Director for Investigations; Dianne Weisheit, Section Chief; Kyle Hutchins and Bartolome Rodriquez, Supervisory Criminal Investigators; Mona Forman and Karen Pace, Criminal Investigators of the Anti-Suggling unit, New York District Office, Mark D. Riordan, Supervisory Special Agent, Office of International Affairs, Bangkok district, all of the INS; and Philemina McNeill Jones, Assistant Director of the Civil Division's Office of Immigration Litigation -- for their leadership, perseverance, investigative, and litigative skills in the Golden Venture case. INS law enforcement officers located and coordinated the arrest of the major principal organizer, and 12 crew members, of the motor vessel Golden Venture. The Golden Venture was an alien smuggling operation charged with conspiracy to smuggle more than 290 undocumented aliens from the People's republic of China into the U.S. The intentional grounding of the Golden Venture on the shores of Long Island in 1993 caused the unfortunate drowning of 10 chinese nationals. Jones defended the complex litigation resulting from the arrival of the alien smuggling vessel, which touched upon sensitive issues of immigration enforcement, and required the exercise of great litigative skills and diligent attention to detail in securing a favorable outcome for the government. Paul E. Pelletier and Madeleine Shirley, AUSAS from the Southern District of Florida -- for their diligent efforts and patience in the criminal prosecution of members of Julio Nasser's North Coast drug conspiracy. This prosecution resulted in the conviction of over 50 co-conspirators for their involvement in importing in excess of three million pounds of marijuana and 25 kilograms of cocaine into the U.S.; and the criminal forfeiture of more than 150 million dollars in narcotics proceeds held in secret Swiss bank accounts. Patricia A. Riley, AUSA, District of Columbia -- for her accomplishments as the chief of the Sexual Offense section; her leadership in the reform of the sexual assault statutes in the District of Columbia; and for her work on behalf of adult and child victims of sexual assault, through the establishment of the District of Columbia Children's Advocacy Center. Thomas Perez, Deputy Chief of the Civil Rights Division's Criminal Section -- for his sustained excellent performance over many years in prosecuting some of the most complex cases handled by the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division. In a recent case, United states v. Mungia, et al., he successfully prosecuted one of the most egregious and violent violations of federal civil rights law. Three racists, loosely affiliated with a skinhead group, conspired to instigate a race war in Lubbock, Texas, by randomly targeting African Americans for murder. This case represents one of the most serious episodes of racial violence in recent history, and culminated with quick convictions against all defendants on all counts. James H. Deatley, Senior Litigation Counsel of the U.S. Attorney's office, Western District of Texas -- for his exceptional leadership of the Western District of Texas while serving as U.S. Attorney under the appointment of the Attorney General, and later as the court-appointed U.S. Attorney from May of 1993 to March of 1996. Deatley's participative management style was key to the district's many successful initiatives, including responsiveness to the Department's southwest border initiative, implementation of quality of workplace programs, shifting resources to meet border needs, establishing a Weed and Seed program that is deeply involved in the community, and noteworthy growth in both the quality and quantity of cases handled. Reid M. Figel, Chief of the Securities and Commodities Fraud Unit, and AUSAS Andrea Likwornik Weiss, Michael A. Simons, and Richard D. Owens, Southern District of New York -- for their outstanding service in connection with the prosecution of United States v. The Daiwa Bank, Ltd., an unauthorized, off-the-books trading scheme involving billions of dollars of U.S. Treasury obligations and future contracts for those securities that resulted in a $1.1 Billion loss, which Daiwa's management and an outside trader unlawfully conspired to conceal from U.S. regulators for more than two months. Daiwa bank pleaded guilty to 16 felony counts and paid a criminal fine of 340 million dollars, the largest criminal fine in history. "Every employee and individual honored today has played a pivotal role in the fulfillment of the Department's mission and objectives -- to preserve and defend the safety and well being of the American people," Reno noted. "I regret that space limitations prevent our listing all the many inspiring stories which have led us to the awards presentation today." Other award categories and recipients include: EXCELLENCE IN MANAGEMENT AWARD Edward F. Cincinnati Assistant Director for Administration Executive Office for U.S. Trustees EXCELLENCE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AWARD James G. Brown Special Agent, Gallup Field Office Federal Bureau of Investigation Thomas F. Carruthers Deputy U.S. Marshal District of Columbia U.S. Marshals Service John J. Liquori Christopher T. Voss Special Agents New York Division Federal Bureau of Investigation ATTORNEY GENERAL'S AWARD FOR EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Gary N. Silver Director Office of Personnel Office of Justice Programs ATTORNEY GENERAL'S AWARD FOR CAREER ENHANCEMENT Kenneth L. Pasquarell Deputy District Director El Paso Sector Immigration & Naturalization Service ATTORNEY GENERAL'S AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE DISABLED EMPLOYEES John F. Clark Supervisory Criminal Investigator Enforcement Division U.S. Marshals Service ATTORNEY GENERAL'S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN LEGAL SUPPORT PARALEGAL CATEGORY Linda M. Troup Paralegal Specialist Criminal Section Civil Rights Division LEGAL SECRETARY CATEGORY Bette Bratlien Legal Technician Office of the U.S. Attorney Northern District of California Mary Jane Wood Legal Assistant Court of Federal Claims Section Tax Division ATTORNEY GENERAL'S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT John Caraway Personnel Management Specialist Federal Medical Center Fort Worth, Texas Bureau of Prisons SECRETARIAL CATEGORY Suzanne A. Frazier Secretary Office of the Inspector General JOHN MARSHALL AWARDS INTERAGENCY COOPERATION IN SUPPORT OF LITIGATION Chris Michael Couillou Paul K. Davis Andrea L. Foseter Ronald E. Laitsch Cindy A. Liebves Attorneys Federal Trade Commission Atlanta, Georgia Elizabeth M. Grant Larry E. Hodapp Richard A. Quaresima Attorneys Division of Marketing Practices Federal Trade Commission Washington, D.C. TRIAL OF LITIGATION Steven P. Ward Senior Trial Attorney Criminal Enforcement Section Western Region Tax Division Sandra Teters Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Carlucci Assistant U.S. Attorney Northern District of California Michael J. Connolly Assistant U.S. Attorney District of New Hampshire PARTICIPATION IN LITIGATION Lawrence G. McDade Deputy Director Deborah S. Smolover Trial Attorney Office of Consumer Litigation Civil Division Anthony G. Hall Monte J. Stiles Assistant U.S. Attorneys District of Idaho SUPPORT OF LITIGATION Timothy Roberts Attorney Advisor U.S. Penitentiary Leavenworth, Kansas Bureau of Prisons Bruce S. Gelber Principal Deputy Chief Environment Enforcement Section Environment and Natural Resources Division HANDLING OF APPEALS Robert J. Erickson Principal Deputy Chief Appellate Section Criminal Division Miriam Aroni Krinsky Assistant U.S. Attorney Central District of California PROVIDING LEGAL ADVICE Janis Sposato Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Law & Policy Mary Braden Director Janice Rodgers Deputy Director Donna O'Dowd Ethics Specialist Department Ethics Office Justice Management Division Charysse L. Alexander Assistant U.S. Attorney Middle District of Alabama, and Senior Counsel to the Director Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys PREPARATION OR HANDLING OF LEGISLATION Donald J. Russell Chief Telecommunications Task Force Antitrust Division ASSET FORFEITURE Reid Charles Pixler Assistant U.S. Attorney District of Arizona ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION Janice E. Hebert Assistant U.S. Attorney Western District of Louisiana THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE IN FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT ADMINISTRATION Leo D. Neshkes Freedom of Information Officer Antitrust Division THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S CUBBY DORSEY AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE BY A FEDERAL WAGE GRADE SYSTEM EMPLOYEE David Donchess William Shinn Aircraft Mechanical Inspectors Del Rio Sector Del Rio, Texas Immigration & Naturalization Service 96-310
