For Release: Aug. 14, 2006
Contact: J. Tucker Martin or David Clementson
Email: jtmartin@oag.state.va.us or dclementson@oag.state.va.us
Phone: 804-786-2071
Federal Grant Secured by Wolf and Goodlatte Responsible for New Positions
Weyers Cave- Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell was joined by federal, state, and local officials today at the Central Shenandoah Criminal Justice Training Academy in Weyers Cave as he announced a major new anti-gang initiative in the Shenandoah Valley. Among those joining the Attorney General for the announcement were Congressman Bob Goodlatte and John Brownlee, the United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia. Congressman Frank Wolf was unable to make today’s event, but was instrumental, along with Congressman Goodlatte, in securing the federal funding for this important initiative.
Local leaders spearheading this initiative are the Commonwealth’s Attorneys of the City of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, Shenandoah County, the City of Staunton, the City of Waynesboro, Augusta County, and the City of Lexington and Rockbridge County. The Sheriffs of Augusta County, Shenandoah County, Rockbridge County, and Rockingham County are also leading this effort, as are the Police Chiefs of Harrisonburg, Staunton, Waynesboro, and Lexington.
Relying on federal funding, the Office of the Attorney General has hired the first full-time gang prosecutor for the Shenandoah Valley, Assistant Attorney General Phil Figura. Mr. Figura serves as counsel to the multi-jurisdictional grand jury currently working in the region. Thanks to legislation carried by Senator Mark Obenshain (R-Harrisonburg) multi-jurisdictional grand juries can now be used to investigate gang activity. This multi-jurisdictional grand jury allows for the effective investigation of gangs by local and state law enforcement and Commonwealth’s Attorneys. On August 7th, this grand jury returned its first indictment for felony gang participation and destruction of property. Mr. Figura also works in conjunction with the Shenandoah Valley Gang Strike Force.
In addition, Figura was sworn in at today’s event as a Special Assistant United States Attorney and he will work with federal gang prosecutors to bring cases against gang members in federal court. The federal funding secured by Congressmen Goodlatte and Wolf has also allowed for the hiring of the first dedicated anti-gang crime analyst serving the Shenandoah Valley, David Graham. Figura and Graham will be actively involved in a coordinated law enforcement effort to prosecute gang members committing crimes in the Shenandoah Valley.
Speaking about the announcement Attorney General McDonnell remarked, “The Shenandoah Valley is the last place many think about when they think of gangs. Unfortunately, however, the events of the past few years have shown us just how outdated that mindset is. This region has seen gang-related violence, and it is time we met this threat to our citizens and communities head on. Today, we start a new coordinated offensive against gang violence.”
McDonnell continued, “My predecessors in office have successfully lobbied the General Assembly to pass some of the toughest anti-gang laws in the country, and I thank them for that. Now, with the additional funding secured by Congressman Frank Wolf and Congressman Bob Goodlatte, our office will have the first gang prosecutor, and gang analyst, for this area. This unified law enforcement effort is going to make a difference in shutting down gangs in the Valley.”
United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, John Brownlee, also spoke on the announcement, noting, “We are committed to keeping our communities safe from gangs through our federal, state, and local partnerships. We want to send the message that we will find, prosecute, and punish those who violate our laws through gang activity, and we have dedicated our resources to this mission.”
Gangs in the Shenandoah Valley
Based on information provided by local area law enforcement, there are known to be over 300 documented gang members or affiliates currently in the Shenandoah Valley. Since 2001 there have been three gang-related homicides in the area.
Participating Partners in the Anti-Gang Effort
Local Partners
Commonwealth’s Attorneys
Sheriffs
Police Chiefs
State Partners
State Senate
House of Delegates
Virginia State Police
Virginia ABC
Federal Partners
