U.S. Attorney announces surge in federal violent crime prosecutions in Austin (DOJ)

AUSTIN, Texas - United States Attorney for the Western District of Texas Justin R. Simmons announced on Tuesday that assistant U.S. attorneys in Austin have filed approximately 40 federal cases against defendants for gun-related crimes in recent months.

Simmons made the announcement in a press conference, joined by representatives from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Austin Police Department. He said that, as part of an initiative to tackle violent crime in the community, his team has worked closely with the federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, as well as the Travis County District Attorney's Office, to identify cases for federal prosecution.

"It is imperative that we focus our law enforcement resources and efforts on individuals who commit violent crimes, especially when those crimes are committed with firearms," said U.S. Attorney Simmons. "According to data from the Major Cities Police Chiefs Association, Homicides in Austin are up 187% since 2015. Rape and Aggravated assault are up 65% and 38% respectively during that same period. Many of these crimes are committed by bad guys with guns. Just this year, we've seen multiple violent criminals engage in acts which endangered the lives of peace-loving Austinites, including the March 1^st shooting on 6^th Street. It's plain to see that gun crime poses a significant threat to the law-abiding citizens of Austin, and the U.S. Attorney's office takes that threat seriously. Our goal through this initiative is to emphasize that felons, or anyone else, who illegally possess or uses firearms will face serious consequences."

"ATF is proud to stand alongside our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners in this united effort to make Austin safer and hold violent offenders accountable," said ATF Houston Special Agent in Charge Michael Weddel. "Our agency brings unique expertise in firearms investigations, and we remain committed to disrupting those who use firearms to facilitate violent crime by working with our partners to ensure dangerous offenders face the consequences of their actions. This partnership is a powerful example of what we can accomplish when law enforcement agencies work together toward protecting our communities."

Simmons highlighted multiple significant cases the Western District of Texas attorneys are currently prosecuting, including charges for felon in possession of a firearm, drug trafficking, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and illegal possession of machine guns. The penalties for convicted defendants include 10-, 15-, and 30-year minimums with maximum penalties for some reaching life in federal prison.

"It is true that this U.S. Attorney's Office and others across the Department of Justice are prosecuting immigration crimes, taking on alien smugglers, drug traffickers, and Mexican cartels designated as foreign terrorist organizations," Simmons added. "But we have not let up on our overall mission to ensure individuals who seek to harm our neighbors, friends, and loved ones, by violating federal laws with no regard for human life, are met with the full weight of the U.S. Department of Justice. We do this as law enforcement professionals so that Americans can live their lives, enjoy the blessings of liberty, and pursue happiness."

An indictment/criminal complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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