Due to a relentless pursuit to curb gang activity and ensure community safety, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Illinois, or the top federal prosecutor, Acting U.S. Attorney Morris Pasqual, has emerged as a formidable ‘force multiplier.’
Federal Prosecutor Morris Pasqual Empowers ‘Force Multiplier’ Strategy to Combat Gangs in Chicago
Collaborating closely with state and local law enforcement, the team of the top federal prosecutor has achieved significant victories in the ongoing anti-gang efforts. With limited resources compared to the Chicago Police Department‘s 12,000 officers, the federal prosecutor U.S. Attorneys and agents have strategically acted as a ‘force multiplier.’ This approach by the top federal prosecutor involves bringing in additional resources, funding, expertise, and personnel to bolster the anti-gang efforts. Speaking to WTTW News, the top federal prosecutor emphasized the importance of partnership across agencies, asserting that a ‘whole of government’ approach is essential for success.
Chicago’s Top Federal Prosecutor Scores Significant Wins in Anti-Gang Efforts
Recent high-profile convictions showcase the team’s determination and impact. Notably, David Arrington, a member of the violent Wicked Town faction of the Traveling Vice Lords street gang, was sentenced to 50 years in federal prison. Additionally, the reputed leader of the Wicked Town gang and an associate were found guilty on multiple charges after the federal prosecutor presented evidence linking the gang to 19 murders and 19 attempted murders, as well as other criminal activities. Pasqual expressed concern over the volatile mix of gang fragmentation, the proliferation of guns, and the influence of social media on gang violence. He attributed the surge in murders and violence to the easy accessibility of firearms, with gang members often escalating conflicts through social media taunts, leading to deadly repercussions. As the nation awaits Senate confirmation, April Perry, a former ethics officer with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, is set to become the first woman to serve as Chicago’s top federal prosecutor, potentially carrying forward the impactful legacy forged by the federal prosecutor and U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Illinois.
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