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Agency Budget Summary
Department of Justice
U. S. Attorneys
I. Resource Summary
II. Methodology
- The methodology for calculating this account's drug-related resources is based on the percentage of time spent on drug-related cases by United States Attorneys (USAs).
III. Program Summary
- This budget supports the federal drug control priorities under Goal 2, "Increase the safety of America's citizens by substantially reducing drug-related crime and violence" by supporting programs that reduce drug-related crime and violence, as well as programs that investigate and prosecute illegal drug manufacturers and traffickers.
- The USAs are the principal litigators for the federal government, operating 94 district offices. They have three major decision units that support drug-related missions: Criminal Litigation, Legal Education, and Management and Administration. USAs prosecute federal violations of controlled substances, money laundering, drug trafficking, and violent and organized crime. Each judicial district office maintains a Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee, whichassesses local crime problems and solutions with other federal and local officials. USAs frequently cross-designate State and local attorneys during investigations and prosecutions, as well as provide on-going legal education.
IV. Budget Summary
1999 Program
- The FY 1999 drug-related resources include $194.9 million and 1,578 FTEs which support Goal 2 of the Strategy through prosecution activities.
- In addition, USAs anticipate receiving $79.8 million in reimbursable funding for its OCDETF activities.
2000 Request
- The FY 2000 request includes $296.2 million and 2,473 FTEs in drug-related resources, which support Goal 2 of the Strategy through prosecution activities, and in partnership with federal, state and local agencies. This represents an increase of $101.3 million over FY 1999. Included in this increase is a transfer of $83.3 million from the ICDE account to USAs' direct appropriation. No new initiatives are requested in the FY 2000 funding level.
V. Program Accomplishments
- Recent examples of the successes of the USAs in prosecuting drug dealers and distributors are:
- In January 1999, a Long Island real estate investor was arrested on an indictment charging him with operating a continuing criminal drug enterprise. According to the charges, he distributed multiple tons of marijuana in the New York metropolitan area over a 17-year period, conspired to launder drug proceeds, and invested those proceeds in real estate located in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties. The indictment seeks forfeiture of up to $26 million in assets, including various properties throughout the New York metropolitan area.
- Also in January 1999, a defendant, his brother and a friend were sentenced to terms of 293, 235, and 120 months, respectively, for their roles in a narcotics trafficking conspiracy. The defendants were convicted following a three week trial on charges including possession and conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine. They began importing the drugs from New York suppliers in May 1996, and then sold the narcotics in wholesale amounts in the District of Columbia. In addition to the conspiracy offense, the lead defendant was found guilty of heroin possession (350 grams) and money laundering conspiracy, based in part on cash deposits well in excess of revenues that couldlegitimately be generated by the hair salon he operated. The friend was also convicted of heroin possession.
- Examples of recent methamphetamine strategy successes include:
- A defendant pled guilty to charges that he conspired to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana; traveled interstate with the intent to engage in sex with a minor; and, failed to appear in court. First arraigned in January 1998 on weapons charges, he was ordered to turn himself in to the U.S. Marshal the next day but, instead, left Idaho with a 14-year-old girl and traveled to Mexico, where he engaged in sexual relations with her. He was arrested by Deputy U.S. Marshals and FBI agents in July 1998 at an Idaho ranch. During the time he was a fugitive, he was featured on the television program "America's Most Wanted."
- In the Eastern District of Washington, a defendant was sentenced to life in prison for involvement in an international methamphetamine ring. Investigators believe the drug organization produced more than 300 pounds of methamphetamine in a year at clandestine labs in Canada and Oregon.
- In the Northern District of California, a defendant was sentenced to life in prison for operating a continuing criminal enterprise that funneled hundreds of thousands of dosage units of methamphetamine from California into Oklahoma and Arkansas.
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