NEWARK, N.J. – Three members of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of New Jersey, are among those who were honored by the Department of Justice’s 37th Annual Director’s Awards this year, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced today.
Connie Jones won for Superior Performance in a Litigative Support Role, recognized for her outstanding contributions to criminal prosecutions in the District of New Jersey over the past 27 years. Since 2018, when she became a supervisor overseeing half of the Criminal Division’s paralegals, Jones has been integral to the district’s effort to redefine the role of paralegals in criminal matters. She developed standardized operating procedures and protocols to ensure consistency in the preparation of grand jury subpoenas, the maintenance of case files, the organization of evidence, and the management of discovery. Jones helps manage the office’s “Triggerlock” program, ensuring the safety of the community by assisting in the prosecutions that result in the seizure of hundreds of unlawfully possessed firearms.
Ronnell Wilson and Dean Sovolos won for Superior Performance by an AUSA – Criminal. Wilson and Sovolos coordinated and led the response of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey to two tragic incidents of violent extremism that took place in a span of only eight months: the first, the domestic terror attack fueled by anti-Semitism that took place in Jersey City, New Jersey; and the second, the bias-motivated attack on U.S. District Judge Esther Salas and her family. Wilson and Sovolos demonstrated extraordinary skill and professionalism in working tirelessly to investigate these attacks and find answers for the victims and their families. Their work on these investigations was supported by many others in the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
“I am proud to congratulate our office’s three recipients of this year’s Director’s Awards,” Acting U.S. Attorney Honig said. “The recognition of their work in the litigation support and criminal areas reflects not only on their tremendous contributions to protecting the people of New Jersey, but on all of the people in this office. They work every day – under especially trying circumstances during the COVID-19 pandemic – and maintain the highest levels of professionalism and performance. I am grateful to be their colleague.”
The traditional ceremony held in the Great Hall at the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building was again cancelled this year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys provides oversight, general executive assistance, and direction to the 94 United States Attorneys’ offices around the country. For more information on EOUSA and its mission, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao.
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