Attorney General Merrick B. Garland delivered remarks at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada on August 5, 2024, emphasizing the importance of partnerships in addressing violent crime.
Garland began by acknowledging the efforts of local prosecutors and law enforcement leaders. "They are working together as our partners confronting violent crime in order to make Nevada safer for the people who live here," he stated.
Reflecting on his tenure as Attorney General, Garland highlighted that partnerships have been crucial in combating violent crime. "When I became Attorney General three and a half years ago, I knew that the most powerful tool we would have to address violent crime was our partnerships," he said.
He detailed an anti-violent crime strategy focused on collaboration among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and communities. Garland noted that these efforts have yielded significant results, including one of the lowest violent crime rates in 50 years nationwide and a 12% drop in homicides in Las Vegas last year.
However, Garland acknowledged ongoing challenges. "We know that progress in many communities is still uneven. And of course, there is no acceptable level of violent crime," he remarked.
The Justice Department's initiatives include arresting violent felons, seizing guns used in crimes, disrupting drug traffickers, and prosecuting individuals responsible for significant violence. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has been part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program to dismantle high-level criminal organizations.
Garland cited specific cases prosecuted by this office: a man sentenced to 10 years for distributing fentanyl via social media and another individual sentenced similarly for distributing thousands of fentanyl pills in Las Vegas.
"A single dose of fentanyl can be lethal. And this office is working relentlessly to get fentanyl out of our communities," Garland emphasized.
Additionally, the office has targeted firearms offenses with support from the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). A Las Vegas man was sentenced earlier this year for illegally selling over 200 guns without a Federal Firearms License; some weapons were later used in crimes across Nevada and California.
"We will continue to combat illegal gun trafficking that endangers our communities and the officers who risk their lives to protect them," Garland asserted.
Addressing threats against public servants has also been a priority. Last month, charges were brought against a Las Vegas man for threatening federal officials and state employees across multiple states and Washington D.C.
"Public servants have to be able to go about their jobs serving the public without fearing for their lives or the lives of their family," Garland stressed.
Garland concluded by commending U.S. Attorney Frierson and his team for their dedication to ensuring community safety through various initiatives aimed at upholding justice and civil rights.
"I am very proud of the work of U.S. Attorney Frierson and all the men and women of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada," he said before beginning a meeting with local law enforcement leaders.