U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref | U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney Vanessa Waldref has announced that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Laurel Holland has been named the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Prosecutor of the Year for the Eastern District of Washington.
Holland, a founding member of the U.S. Attorney’s Branch Office in Richland, Washington, joined the office in June 2023. Her career includes service as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Benton County and as an AUSA in Yakima, Washington. She is recognized for her work prosecuting cases involving child exploitation.
One notable case involved Lucas Murphy, who was convicted in August 2024 of Online Enticement of a Minor after abducting a minor from Kennewick, Washington, to New Mexico. Holland's efforts were key to securing this conviction.
In the past year, Holland prosecuted several significant offenders. In United States v. Julio Cesar Anaya, she secured a significant sentence for a man attempting to meet a 13-year-old for sex. In United States v. Gerald Alan Nott, she obtained a fifteen-year sentence against an offender who distributed over 1600 child pornography images using his parents' internet in Richland, Washington. Additionally, in United States v. Bret Michael Emineth and Malesa Hale, she and co-counsel achieved sentences of 30 years and 28 years for two co-defendants who abused their victim over four years.
Holland commented on her recognition: “The U.S. Attorney’s Office could not do this important work without the support of HSI and the Southeast Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force." She emphasized the impact these agents have on community safety.
U.S. Attorney Waldref praised Holland's dedication: “Assistant United States Attorney Laurel Holland is tireless in her pursuit of justice on behalf of the young and most vulnerable among us.” Waldref highlighted Holland's compassion for victims and commitment to holding offenders accountable while also mentoring law enforcement and prosecutors.