The Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office has been awarded $701,581 through the Fiscal Year 2026 Office of Justice Programs Special Attorney’s Grant Program, United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz announced on Oct. 12. The funding will allow a state prosecutor to be designated as a Special United States Attorney to work on multi-jurisdictional crimes such as fraud, drug offenses, human trafficking, and criminal immigration matters.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance administers the grant program and selected the Plymouth County office as one of 30 grantees nationwide. The program supports state, local, Tribal and territorial prosecuting agencies in assigning or hiring prosecutors to serve full-time or part-time as Special Attorneys under federal direction or as Special Assistant United States Attorneys within a U.S. Attorney’s Office.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley said, “The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts has a longstanding, collaborative relationship with the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office in advancing public safety. This grant will strengthen that existing foundation, allowing us to act as a force multiplier for the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office, to bring more cases and stronger investigations. Tim Cruz has demonstrated a strong commitment to reducing crime, seeking justice on behalf of crime victims and promoting safer communities. He has been a valued law enforcement partner, supporting shared values, initiatives and public safety priorities. This funding will strengthen our offices’ ability to bring even more worthy federal cases to protect our communities.” Foley added, “I am so pleased that the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office was selected and I am confident that the more than 540,000 residents of Plymouth County will benefit greatly from the grant and our shared mission, to serve and protect.”
Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz said, “This is an exciting opportunity, and we are committed to enhancing our working relationship with U.S. Attorney Foley, and all their federal law enforcement partners. One of the grant’s objectives will be to coordinate federal cases originating in Plymouth County, to increase enforcement and prosecutions, and to enhance the working relationship with immigration authorities to ensure that undocumented immigrants accused of state crimes in Plymouth County are prosecuted. We have already selected an experienced prosecutor to assign to this new role, and I am proud that our offices are able to work together successfully and collaborate to protect public safety in our communities.”
This multi-year federal grant will fund a county Assistant District Attorney who will be appointed as Special Assistant United States Attorney based at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston under its supervision.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts serves all residents across Massachusetts; enforces federal laws including national security threats; advances community initiatives related to civil rights; employs over 200 attorneys along with professional staff; maintains facilities at multiple locations including Boston’s John Joseph Moakley Courthouse; operates branch offices in Springfield and Worcester; is part of the Department of Justice, according to its official website.