Department of Justice Recognizes Two U.S. Attorney’s Office Employees with Director’s Award

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson announced today that Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Alex M. Scott and Appellate Paralegal Linda Cole were selected as recipients of the 2026 Executive Office for United States Attorneys (EOUSA) Director's Award. AUSA Alex M. Scott received the Director's Award for Superior Performance in Indian Country, and Appellate Paralegal Linda Cole received the Lifetime Exceptional Service Award for her decades of service in the Office's Appellate Division. The Director's Award recognizes excellence across the U.S. Attorney community and honors the exceptional contributions to the Justice Department's mission by attorneys and support personnel, serving in the nation's 94 federal districts.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex M. Scott

AUSA Alex M. Scott joined the U.S. Attorney's Office in Asheville in 2022, where he leads complex prosecutions involving drug trafficking, firearms, and violent crime, among others. As the Western District's Tribal Liaison, AUSA Scott serves as the lead prosecutor in cases arising on the Qualla Boundary, home of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), and on the federally recognized trust land of the Catawba Nation in North Carolina. Notably, as part of the Justice Department's Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) initiative, AUSA Scott prosecuted U.S. v. Ernest Pheasant, securing a life sentence for the 2013 murder of Marie Walkingstick Pheasant, resolving a long-standing cold case in Indian Country.

AUSA Scott began his career in public service as an Assistant District Attorney in Johnson County, Kansas, from 2013 to 2021. He joined the United States Attorney's Office in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 2021, where he prosecuted violent crime offenses in Indian Country. AUSA Scott received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Missouri in 2009, and his J.D. with honors from the University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law in 2012.

"Alex is a stellar example of the best the Justice Department has to offer," said U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson. "The Justice Department has recognized his exceptional legal advocacy and trial skills, which have helped make North Carolina communities safer. Alex is also an outstanding representative of the Justice Department in Indian Country. As a relationship-builder and a committed advocate for victims, Alex delivers justice while respecting the sovereignty and laws of the EBCI and the Catawba Nation."

Appellate Paralegal Linda Cole

Linda Cole has been a public servant for 50 years, including more than 44 years of distinguished service to the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney's Office in Asheville. As a paralegal in the Appellate Division, Linda has been responsible for docketing and tracking thousands of appeals and post-conviction matters, drafting and editing legal documents, and generating accurate statistics and reports for the Appellate Division. Linda maintains a comprehensive database of deadlines and provides reminders to Appellate AUSAs to ensure that no filing or deadline is ever missed. Linda approaches all aspects of her work with efficiency, professionalism, and dedication to the Justice Department's Mission.

"Linda personifies public service," said U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson. "She consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty to ensure our Office meets our deadlines and obligations to the Court of Appeals, and that our filings reflect the highest standards of accuracy and professionalism. Linda has devoted decades of service to the mission of the Justice Department and the people of the Western District of North Carolina and continues to serve as an example and a mentor to our newer employees."

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