Attorney General Merrick B. Garland delivered remarks at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming on August 13, 2024. In his address, Garland expressed gratitude to federal, state, and local law enforcement partners for their collaborative efforts in combating violent crime.
Garland emphasized the importance of partnerships in addressing violent crime, stating that this strategy has been effective since his tenure as a line attorney prosecuting violent crime and narcotics trafficking in the early 1990s. He highlighted the Justice Department's approach which involves strengthening collaboration across various levels of law enforcement and utilizing advanced technologies to identify and prosecute dangerous criminals.
"Last year, we saw one of the lowest violent crime rates in 50 years nationwide," Garland noted, adding that it included "the largest drop in homicides in 50 years." However, he acknowledged that progress remains uneven across communities and reiterated that no level of violent crime is acceptable.
Garland cited several recent cases handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming as examples of successful law enforcement efforts. These include a more-than-16-year sentence for a man trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl in Casper; charges against an individual intending to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl on the Wind River Indian Reservation; prosecution of a man found with cocaine, firearms, and a suppressor during a highway stop; conviction of a felon involved in a standoff with law enforcement; and life imprisonment for an individual guilty of first-degree murder on the Wind River Indian Reservation.
He concluded by commending U.S. Attorney Heimann and all members of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their dedication to keeping communities safe, protecting civil rights, and upholding the rule of law through strong partnerships with various law enforcement agencies.
With these remarks concluded, Garland indicated that they would proceed with their meeting.