Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin and United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha today jointly announced the cross-designation of several senior prosecutors to enhance the prosecution of multi-jurisdictional crime including narcotics, firearms, and human trafficking, as well as public corruption and child pornography.
Cross-designation permits prosecutors to cross-over and prosecute cases either in a state or federal court. Targeted cases are jointly reviewed to determine appropriate charges, appropriate jurisdiction and in which court appropriate penalties are likely to be realized.
Senior prosecutors experienced in firearms, narcotics, human trafficking, public corruption and child pornography prosecution have been cross-designated. In the past, prosecutors were cross designated on a case by case basis.
"The Office of Attorney General and the United States Attorney's Office have long enjoyed a very good working relationship. Both offices recognize that the priority is always to put together the best possible case for successful prosecution, no matter the venue," said Attorney General Peter Kilmartin. "There are certain crimes such as narcotics and human trafficking that often cross jurisdictional lines. Cross designating multiple individuals in specialized areas of prosecution allows for greater cooperation and efficiencies, from the initiation of a case through to prosecution."
"The cross-designations of these talented attorneys from both offices will allow us to more effectively pursue justice on behalf of the people of Rhode Island", said United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha. "Today's law enforcement challenges are more complex than ever, and a process by which attorneys from both offices can appear together in either federal or state court will provide an unprecedented level of flexibility in dealing with those challenges. The partnership between the United State Attorney's Office and the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office has always been strong. Today it is even stronger."
Prosecutors from the Office of Attorney General who are cross designated are Assistant Attorneys General J. Patrick Youngs, James Baum, John Corrigan, Daniel Guglielmo, and Mark Trovato and Special Assistant Attorneys General Charles Calenda, Joseph McBurney, and Sara Tindall-Woodman.
Prosecutors from the United States Attorneys' Office who are cross designated are Assistant United States Attorneys Paul F. Daly, Jr., William J. Ferland, Adi Goldstein, Ly T. Chin, and Milind M. Shah.