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DA joins feds in gun partnership
Monitor Staff Reports
ATHENS–Henderson County District Attorney Scott McKee announced Monday
he has teamed with the US Attorney’s office and federal agents in the
Project Safe Neighborhoods Program.
The program is designed to combine the resources of state and federal
law enforcement and prosecution so illegal possession or use of a
firearm is the fastest and most dependable route to long-term
incarceration.
The program also focuses on aggressive prosecution of drug crimes where
a firearm is involved.
“I want drug dealers and violent criminals off the streets and behind
bars, and that is what this program is all about,” McKee said in a
prepared news release issued Monday.
“Project Safe Neighborhoods has been around since 2001, but Henderson
County never participated. One of my first goals after taking office was
to ask for Federal help,” McKee said. “We asked, and the U.S. Attorney’s
office was thrilled to join forces with us.
“We have seven prosecuting attorneys. The U.S. Attorney’s office has
hundreds,” McKee added. “I would say we can’t go wrong with a
partnership like that.”
McKee has designated first Assistant District Attorney and second in
command Mark Hall to head the program.
“Mark has a great relationship with the U.S Attorney’s Office, and is
well versed in Federal Criminal Law,” McKee said.
The program allows the District Attorney’s office to forward cases where
a firearm is involved to the U.S. Attorney’s office for prosecution
under federal law in a federal court.
Most federal gun laws provide much more severe penalties than state law,
according to McKee. Also, usually no parole is granted to defendants
sentenced to federal prison.
Hall indicated he referred two cases to federal authorities the first
day of the new program and is anticipating forwarding more cases.
Hall also said the DA’s office will now work closely with the FBI, DEA
and ATF in supplementing local law enforcement’s stepped-up efforts in
busting drug dealers and violent criminals.
“Sheriff (Ray) Nutt’s priority on narcotics, and focus on quality
investigations, will really mesh well with Federal Prosecutors,” Hall
said.
President George W. Bush created Project Safe Neighborhoods in 2001 as
an aggressive, comprehensive gun crime reduction strategy.
Stolen motorcycles returned to
owner
Monitor Staff Reports
PAYNE SPRINGS–A Henderson County deputy and Payne Springs police officer
were successful in recovering two motorcycles reported stolen Monday
from the Leisure Land subdivision in Payne Springs.
Deputy Josh Rickman received the stolen motorcycle report early in the
day. The owner reported it taken while he was at work.
According to a press release from the Sheriff’s Office, later on Monday,
leads developed in the case led Rickman to an address on Mack Oaks Drive
as a possible location of the motorcycles.
The stolen property was found unattended behind the residence.
Inside the residence, Dylan Oliver was arrested for failing to identify
himself and Wayne Kretzmeier was also arrested on outstanding
misdemeanor warrants.
A third man was seen hiding in tall grass just outside the residence and
fled from officers at the scene.
However, he got away despite a complete search of the area.
The motorcycles were returned to the owner.
Authorities are still conducting their investigation concerning the
theft.
The Malakoff Police Department assisted in the recovery of the stolen
motorcycles. |