Spokane, Washington – The United States Attorney’s Office and the City of Spokane have announced the appointment of Annika Tangvald as a Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA) for the Eastern District of Washington. Tangvald will focus on prosecuting cases related to illegal narcotics affecting Spokane in federal court. She was sworn into office by Acting United States Attorney Rich Barker on May 19, 2025.
Acting U.S. Attorney Barker emphasized his office's dedication to addressing the opioid crisis. “We see the impact of fentanyl and other drugs in almost every case we prosecute – including violent crime, firearms trafficking, prosecution of transnational gangs and cartels, and even in some of our fraud and human trafficking cases. Having a dedicated prosecutor for these cases allows the U.S. Attorney’s Office to bring more cases specifically focused on the City of Spokane," he stated. He praised SAUSA Tangvald as a talented lawyer who will work with top prosecutors to hold drug distributors accountable.
Justin Bingham, Prosecutor for the City of Spokane, expressed support for this collaboration: “The City of Spokane Prosecutor’s Office is committed to a multi-prong approach to end the fentanyl epidemic our community faces,” he said. “Partnering with the U.S. Attorney’s Office will greatly strengthen our current efforts to hold drug-related offenders accountable."
Mayor Lisa Brown highlighted Tangvald's role as crucial in tackling fentanyl-related crimes: “Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tangvald will help fill a critical gap in our system," she noted.
Tangvald is originally from Spokane and has been serving as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Spokane County since 2023. She previously worked as a law clerk at the U.S Attorney’s Office in Eastern Washington and graduated from Gonzaga University School of Law.
“I am honored to be returning to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and to serve in this unique role,” said SAUSA Tangvald.
The United States Attorney's Office represents federal government interests across 20 counties east of Washington's Cascade Mountains, handling criminal prosecutions for federal law violations among other responsibilities.
The City of Spokane serves over 229,000 residents with services aimed at enhancing quality of life and economic opportunities.
In late 2024, funding for this position was unanimously approved by the Spokane City Council.
