ALEXANDRIA, Va. - United States Attorney G. Zachary Terwilliger, along with a team of law enforcement officials from the Eastern District of Virginia, joined law enforcement leaders from around the country this week at the 2018 Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Conference held in Kansas City, Missouri.
This morning, Terwilliger participated in a panel presentation on the ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC) model and the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN).
“CGIC and NIBIN are game changers for how we target and investigate trigger pullers," said Terwilliger. “Director Brandon’s leadership and support of our anti-violent crime efforts and the U.S. Attorney community in general has been astounding. He and his team are truly committed to the ATF mantra of being no better partner. My sincere thanks to the brave women and men of ATF for all they are doing to interdict gun traffickers and violent criminals using both traditional law enforcement techniques as well as cutting edge science."
Terwilliger was joined at the PSN conference by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen W. Miller and Rebeca H. Bellows, Newport News Police Chief Steve R. Drew, Major Roger Russell of the Richmond Police Department, Detective Ray Betts of the Fairfax County Police Department’s Gang Unit, and Sgt. Claudio Saa of the Town of Herndon Police Department. This team of law enforcement officials presented on best practices of investigating and dismantling MS-13, setting up violent crime task forces, forming law enforcement and community partnerships, and how to effectively use the CGIC model to address violent crime. The Eastern District of Virginia continues to be a leader in PSN and currently has active programs in all four divisions: Alexandria, Newport News, Norfolk, and Richmond.
Terwilliger recently accepted an invitation from ATF Director Thomas E. Brandon to join the National Crime Gun Intelligence Board, and will immediately begin serving a three-year term.
“United States Attorney Terwilliger’s extensive experience in both prosecuting violent firearm offenders and developing Department of Justice policies to combat firearm violence provides essential expertise to the Crime Gun Intelligence Governing Board," said ATF Deputy Director Thomas E. Brandon. “ATF is fully committed to reducing gun violence in communities across the nation and the Governing Board, which includes police chiefs, forensic lab directors and federal and state prosecutors, is vital to the success of our mission. ATF’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network helps disrupt the shooting cycle by assisting investigators in identifying firearms involved in more than one crime, often leading to the arrest of active trigger pullers and the firearm traffickers who illegally supply them with guns. NIBIN focuses investigations on our nation’s most violent offenders, enhancing the effectiveness of law enforcement in making our communities safer. We thank United States Attorney Terwilliger for his commitment to public safety the Eastern District of Virginia and our nation, and greatly appreciate his joining the Board."
Established in 2016, the board uses the collective experience of federal, state, and local experts in the fields of forensics, law enforcement, and criminal law to ensure ATF receives valuable input on national programs related to Crime Gun Intelligence. Members of the 23-member board serve 3-year terms and are eligible for re-appointment. It meets biannually in different cities across the United States.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
