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News Release

Coos Bay Man Faces Federal Charges For Producing And Distributing Child Pornography (Photo) -03/19/25

EUGENE, Ore.—A Coos Bay, Oregon man was arraigned in federal court today for possessing, distributing, attempting to produce, and producing child pornography.

 

Thomas Owen Barnett, 39, has been charged with attempting to use and using a minor to produce a visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct and possessing and distributing child pornography.

 

According to court documents, between September and December 2023, Barnett is alleged to have knowingly and intentionally used a minor to engage in and record sexually explicit conduct. In September 2024, Barnett is further alleged to have used Kik and Instagram, online social media platforms, to engage in chats involving child sex abuse, seek opportunities to engage in child sexual abuse, and advertise the sale of child pornography. At times, Barnett posed as a young man or a minor female to persuade his victims to produce and exchange child pornography, including requests for sexually explicit materials depicting an infant.

 

Barnett made his initial appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was arraigned, pleaded not guilty, and ordered detained pending a jury trial scheduled to begin on May 27, 2025.

 

Attempting to use a minor and using a minor to produce a visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct are each punishable by up to 30 years in federal prison with a 15-year mandatory minimum sentence, distribution of child pornography is punishable by up to 20 years in prison with a 5-year mandatory minimum sentence, and possession of child pornography is punishable by up to 10 years in federal prison. If convicted, Barnett also faces up to a lifetime term of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 for each count.

 

This case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by William M. McLaren, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

 

An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

 

Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children are encouraged to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.

 

Federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. It is important to remember child sexual abuse material depicts actual crimes being committed against children. Not only do these images and videos document the victims’ exploitation and abuse, but when shared across the internet, re-victimize and re-traumatize the child victims each time their abuse is viewed. To learn more, please visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at www.missingkids.org.

 

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

 

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Attached Media Files: Final.pdf,

Ontario Man Sentenced To 15 Years In Federal Prison For Carjacking Victims At Gunpoint (Photo) -03/19/25

MEDFORD, Ore.—An Ontario, Oregon man was sentenced to federal prison Friday for carjacking three victims at gunpoint.

 

Gregory Escobedo, Jr., 31, was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release.

 

The first 100 months of Escobedo’s federal sentence will run concurrent to a 180-to-360-month state prison sentence previously imposed in Canyon County, Idaho, and will be served in Idaho state prison. Escobedo will serve the remaining 80 months of his federal sentence in federal prison following the completion of his state prison sentence. Following his release from federal prison, Escobedo must also complete a three-year term of federal supervised release.

 

According to court documents, on March 3, 2021, at an apartment complex in Ontario, Escobedo ordered a victim to exit their vehicle at gunpoint and drove away in the stolen vehicle. The following day, Escobedo approached a vehicle parked on the side of the road and carjacked another victim while brandishing a firearm. The stolen vehicle was out of gas which caused Escobedo to quickly return to the vehicle he arrived in and flee the area.

 

Later the same day, on March 4, 2021, in Caldwell, Idaho, Escobedo stole an unattended truck at a gas station. The owner pursued Escobedo, who eventually stopped the truck, and was confronted by the victim. Escobedo shot the unarmed victim in the chest and fled. The victim was taken to a hospital and survived. Shortly after the shooting, Escobedo was stopped by law enforcement and arrested.

 

On May 20, 2021, a federal grand jury in Medford returned a five-count indictment charging Escobedo with carjacking, possessing a firearm during a crime of violence, and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

 

On July 7, 2024, Escobedo pleaded guilty to two counts of carjacking.

 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Judith Harper, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

 

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Attached Media Files: Final.pdf,

Active-Duty And Former U.S. Army Soldiers Arrested For Theft Of Government Property And Bribery Scheme (Photo) -03/06/25

PORTLAND, Ore.— Jian Zhao and Li Tian, active-duty U.S. Army soldiers stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, along with Ruoyu Duan, a former U.S. Army soldier, were arrested today following indictments by federal grand juries in the District of Oregon and the Western District of Washington. Tian and Duan were charged in the District of Oregon for conspiring to commit bribery and theft of government property. Zhao was charged in the Western District of Washington for conspiring to obtain and transmit national defense information to an individual not authorized to receive it, and also for bribery and theft of government property.

 

“The defendants arrested today are accused of betraying our country, actively working to weaken America’s defense capabilities and empowering our adversaries in China,” said Attorney General Pamela J. Bondi. “They will face swift, severe, and comprehensive justice.”

 

“While bribery and corruption have thrived under China’s Communist Party, this behavior cannot be tolerated with our service members who are entrusted with sensitive military information, including national defense information,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “The FBI and our partners will continue to work to uncover attempts by those in China to steal sensitive U.S. military information and hold all accountable who play a role in betraying our national defense. The FBI would like to thank U.S. Army Counterintelligence for their close partnership during this investigation.”

 

“These arrests underscore the persistent and increasing foreign intelligence threat facing our Army and nation,” said Brig. Gen. Rhett R. Cox, Commanding General, Army Counterintelligence Command. “Along with the Department of Justice and FBI, Army Counterintelligence Command will continue to work tirelessly to hold those accountable who irresponsibly and selfishly abandon the Army values and choose personal gain over duty to our nation. We remind all members of the Army team to increase their vigilance and protect our Army by reporting suspicious activity.”

 

The indictment in the District of Oregon alleges that beginning on or about Nov. 28, 2021, and continuing to at least on or about Dec. 19, 2024, Duan and Tian along with others, known and unknown to the grand jury conspired with each other to surreptitiously gather sensitive military information related to the United States Army’s operational capabilities, including technical manuals and other sensitive information, and that Tian transmitted this information to Duan in return for money, in violation of his official duties as an active-duty U.S. Army officer. Specifically, Tian was tasked with gathering information related U.S. military weapon systems, including information related to the Bradley and Stryker U.S. Army fighting vehicles, and transmitting them to Duan.

 

The indictment in the Western District of Washington alleges that beginning in or about July 2024, and continuing to the date of the arrest, Jian Zhao, an active-duty U.S. Army Supply Sergeant, conspired with others known and unknown to the grand jury to obtain and transmit national defense information to individuals based in China. Zhao is further alleged to have committed bribery and theft of government property.

 

Specifically, Zhao was charged for his conspiracy to collect and transmit several classified hard drives, including hard drives marked “SECRET” and “TOP SECRET”, negotiating with individuals based in China for their sale, and agreeing to send the classified hard drives to the individuals in China. In exchange for the sale of the classified hard drives, Zhao received at least $10,000. Zhao is further alleged to have conspired to sell an encryption capable computer that was stolen from the U.S. Government, and sensitive U.S. military documents and information, including information related to the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), and information related to U.S. military readiness in the event of a conflict with the People’s Republic of China. Zhao is alleged to have violated his duties as a U.S. Army Soldier and public official to protect sensitive military information in exchange for money. In total, Zhao is alleged to have corruptly received and accepted payments totaling at least $15,000.

 

"The U.S. Attorney's Office thanks the FBI and the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command for their hard work on this investigation and commitment to protecting our national security,” said Acting U.S. Attorney William M. Narus for the District of Oregon. 

 

"As former and current members of the U.S. Army, Ruoyu Duan and Li Tian betrayed the oath of military service they had taken,” said Douglas A. Olson, Special Agent in Charge  of the FBI’s Portland Field Office. “Their actions caused significant risk and damage to U.S. National Security and violated the oath they took as military members to protect the American people."

 

“It is unconscionable that a person who wears the uniform of a U.S. Army soldier would betray our country and the trust of his fellow soldiers,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle Field Office. “These arrests should send a message to would-be spies that we and our partners have the will and the ability to find you, track you down, and hold you to account. Protecting the nation’s secrets, especially those necessary to preserve our military advantage and protect our troops, is one of the FBI’s top priorities.”

 

The cases were investigated by the FBI Portland and Seattle Field Offices and U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command, with assistance from the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Seattle Field Office, CBP Office of Professional Responsibility, United States Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division, and Naval Criminal Investigative Service. They are being prosecuted by Geoffrey A. Barrow and Katherine A. Rykken, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon, and Christopher Cook and Yifei Zheng, Trial Attorneys for the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

 

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

 

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Attached Media Files: Final.pdf,

Portland Couple Sentenced To Federal Prison For Stealing $34 Million From Former Client (Photo) -03/06/25

PORTLAND, Ore.—A husband and wife from Portland, who together owned and operated a local chauffeur and limousine business, were sentenced to federal prison Wednesday for stealing $34 million dollars from two former clients.

 

Sergey Lebedenko, 54, and Galina Lebedenko, 49, were both sentenced to 57 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release. The sum of restitution they must pay to the victim will be determined at a later date.

 

According to court documents, the Lebedenkos owned and operated a Portland area chauffeur and limousine businesses that eventually became Astra Car Service, LLC. Sergey did the driving, and Galina handled the company’s books and finances.

 

The Lebedenkos met their victim in 2007 when Sergey was hired to drive the individual to the airport. The individual soon became a regular customer of the Lebedenkos. By 2018, Sergey was driving the individual almost daily in and around Portland, and Galina was performing other personal tasks for the victim and the victim’s partner including paying their bills, sorting their mail, and providing pet care. This expansive personal services arrangement between the Lebedenkos and their victim continued from approximately 2018 until 2023.

 

Despite the volume and frequency of paid services the Lebedenkos provided, they never had a written business agreement or contract. In 2013, Galina produced an invoice showing hourly rates of $90 for driving and $60 for other services. In about 2016, after nearly a decade of working together, the victim gave the Lebedenkos his American Express credit card information so they could directly charge the card for their services.

 

Other than the single invoice issued in 2013, the Lebedenkos never provided their victim with logs of their hours or information about how much they were charging for their services. For much of their work, only the Lebedenkos knew the amount of time they spent providing services. On rare occasions, Sergey was questioned by the victim about certain minimal charges and Sergey would repeatedly play up their longstanding, trusting relationship.

 

The Lebedenkos stole approximately $34 million over seven years. On a single day in 2023, the Lebedenkos charged their victim’s credit card 17 times for a total of $17,900 for picking up and delivering a prescription and meals.

 

The Lebedenkos used their ill-gotten gains to fund an extraordinarily extravagant lifestyle for themselves and others, purchasing 14 homes and properties, 7 vehicles, an ownership interest in a private jet, and countless luxury items including shoes, watches, wallets, jewelry, and gold bars. As part of their sentences, the court entered a Final Order of Forfeiture against assets the Lebedenkos purchased with proceeds of their fraud, including 14 real properties and 19 financial accounts, which are pending forfeiture and sale. The government intends to seek remission of forfeited assets to the victim.

 

On January 22, 2024, the Lebedenkos were together charged by federal criminal complaint with committing wire fraud and money laundering. Later, on February 21, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment charging the couple with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, and 34 individual counts of wire fraud.

 

On October 25, 2024, the Lebedenkos both pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and wire fraud.

 

This case was investigated by the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation. It was prosecuted by Meredith D.M. Bateman and Andrew T. Ho, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon. Forfeiture proceedings are being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katie C. de Villiers, also of the District of Oregon.

 

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Attached Media Files: SENTENCING-Lebedenko-Final.pdf,

Salem Man Faces Federal Charge For Illegally Possessing Molotov Cocktails (Photo) -03/05/25

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Salem, Oregon man was arraigned in federal court today for possessing Molotov cocktails while attempting to destroy property at a Salem car dealership.

 

Adam Matthew Lansky, 41, has been charged by criminal complaint with illegally possessing an unregistered destructive device.

 

According to court documents, on January 20, 2025, officers from the Salem Police Department responded to a report of an individual throwing Molotov cocktails at a local car dealership. Later, on February 19, 2025, officers returned to the same dealership after a report of damage from what appeared to be bullets fired into a building and vehicle.

 

Investigators soon linked Lansky to both incidents. Surveillance footage obtained from the car dealership appeared to show Lansky throwing Molotov cocktails that struck a dealership building and several vehicles, causing fires. Surveillance video from a patrol car captured a vehicle parked near the dealership while Lansky is alleged to have discharged multiple firearm rounds into a building and at least one vehicle. Investigators learned the vehicle was registered to Lansky and observed it at his residence.

 

Lansky was arrested Tuesday without incident in Salem and made his first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was ordered detained pending further court proceedings.

 

The case is being investigated by the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Salem Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Parakram Singh, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

 

A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

 

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Attached Media Files: Final.pdf,

Salem Man Sentenced To Federal Prison For Trafficking Fentanyl (Photo) -03/04/25

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Mexican national residing in Salem, Oregon, was sentenced to federal prison Monday for his role in trafficking fentanyl and other narcotics in Oregon.

 

Leonel Covarrubias Hernandez, 48, was sentenced to 144 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release.

 

According to court documents, as part of a drug trafficking investigation, investigators identified Covarrubias as a narcotics distributer operating in Oregon. Between August and December 2022, investigators conducted several controlled buys in which Covarrubias sold counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl. 

 

On December 27, 2022, investigators conducted a traffic stop on Covarrubias and his co-conspirator near their residence. Investigators searched the vehicle and seized counterfeit pills containing fentanyl, more than $11,000 in cash, and a firearm. On the same day, investigators located and seized more than 29 pounds of methamphetamine, 11 pounds of fentanyl, 12 pounds of cocaine and two pounds of heroin, 24 firearms, a 3D printer, and more than $43,000 in cash from the residence.

 

On November 18, 2024, Covarrubias pleaded guilty to possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute.

 

This case was investigated by the FBI and Salem Police Department. It was prosecuted by Bryan Chinwuba, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

 

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Attached Media Files: Final.pdf,

Portland Man Sentenced To Federal Prison For Bank Fraud And Identity Theft (Photo) -02/27/25

PORTLAND, Ore.--A Portland man was sentenced to federal prison today for using a stolen identity and financial information to steal more than $426,000 from a victim with an intellectual disability.

 

Clinton Wells, 36, was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison and three years' supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $426,481.14 in restitution to his victim.

 

According to court documents, between March 2019 and April 2022, Wells knowingly and intentionally used personal identification and bank account information to steal the victim's life savings. On March 13, 2019, while working for a national tax preparation company, Wells met the victim and gained access to their personal and financial information. The following day, Wells began transferring money from the victim's bank account into his own.

 

In April 2019, Wells created a user profile through the victim's online banking system. With this access, Wells completed more than 1,100 transactions including electronic money transfers and online purchases. Wells used the money to fund extravagant trips, personal expenses and online purchases. Wells' theft went undetected until the victim passed away and family found unopened bank statements showing the unauthorized transactions.  

 

On February 13, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a six-count indictment charging Wells with bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.

 

On October 30, 2024, Wells pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

 

This case was investigated by the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, IRS Criminal Investigation, and Multnomah County Sheriff's Office. It was prosecuted by Meredith D.M. Bateman, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

 

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Attached Media Files: Final.pdf,

Washington State Man Sentenced To Federal Prison For Coercing And Sexually Exploiting A Minor Online (Photo) -02/26/25

EUGENE, Ore.--A Tacoma, Washington man was sentenced to federal prison Tuesday for using social media to coerce a minor into sending him sexually explicit materials and engage in self-harm.

 

Brandon Kuper, 22, was sentenced to 165 months in federal prison and ten years' supervised release.

 

According to court documents, in November 2022, Kuper messaged a minor through Discord and Snapchat, two social media messaging applications, in attempts to develop a relationship. Kuper coerced the victim into producing and sending him sexually explicit photos and videos, including sadistic and masochistic conduct. When the victim denied some of Kuper's requests, he threatened to harm the victim and victim's family if his demands were not met. Kuper continued to make threats and demands until the victim bravely reported Kuper to their parents and then law enforcement. 

 

Investigators learned that Kuper used Discord and Snapchat to find and convince minors to produce and send him sexually explicit material. In several instances, Kuper asked his victims to cut his social media username "Merqzs" into their skin, photograph it, and send him the photos. Investigators also found revenge pornography that Kuper created and posted of at least one other victim that did not comply with his demands. On November 10, 2022, Kuper was arrested in Tacoma and remains in custody.

 

On November 17, 2022, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned a two-count indictment charging Kuper with production of child pornography and enticing a minor.

 

On November 20, 2024, Kuper pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor.

 

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI) with assistance from the Bend Police Department and Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Digital Forensics Laboratory. It was prosecuted by William M. McLaren, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

 

Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children are encouraged to contact ICE HSI at (866) 347-2423 or submit a tip online at report.cybertip.org.

 

Federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. It is important to remember child sexual abuse material depicts actual crimes being committed against children. Not only do these images and videos document the victims' exploitation and abuse, but when shared across the internet, re-victimize and re-traumatize the child victims each time their abuse is viewed. To learn more, please visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at www.missingkids.org.

 

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

 

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Attached Media Files: Final.pdf,

Oregon Transportation Company And Owner Sentenced To Probation And Criminal Fines For Tampering With Pollution Monitoring Devices (Photo) -02/25/25

PORTLAND, Ore.--A Fairview, Oregon transportation company and its owner were sentenced in federal court today for knowingly and intentionally tampering with emissions monitoring devices in violation of the Clean Air Act.

 

Clancy Logistics, Inc., located in Fairview, Oregon, and its owner, Timothy Curtis Clancy, 55, of Sherwood, Oregon, were each sentenced to three years' probation. They were also ordered to pay a fine of $101,510, jointly and severally. 

 

According to court documents, between October 2019 and July 2023, Clancy tampered with federally mandated monitoring devices by performing "deletes and tunes" to emission control systems for at least thirteen diesel semi-trailer trucks operated by his companies. Clancy, as owner of Clancy Logistics, oversaw the illegal modification of vehicles, including engaging in and directing employees to remove the emissions control equipment and tune the onboard diagnostic systems so it could no longer detect the removal of control equipment. Clancy Logistics knowingly operated the altered vehicles. 

 

On September 13, 2024, Clancy Logistics and Clancy were charged by criminal information with two counts of Clean Air Act tampering. On September 18, 2024, they each pleaded guilty to one count of tampering with a monitoring device.

 

This case was investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency's Criminal Investigation Division. It was prosecuted by Andrew Ho, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, and Gwendolyn Russell, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Environmental Protection Agency.

 

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Attached Media Files: Final.pdf,

Former Engineer Pleads Guilty To Possessing Trade Secrets Of Oregon Semiconductor Manufacturer (Photo) -02/21/25

PORTLAND, Ore.-- Varun Gupta, 44, who previously lived and worked in Oregon, pleaded guilty Thursday to possessing trade secrets taken from his previous employer.

 

According to court documents, from July 2010 to January 2020, Gupta was employed as a product marketing engineer for an American technology company headquartered in California, with its largest concentration of facilities and employees located in Oregon. The company is one of the world's largest semiconductor manufacturers, supplying semiconductor products to companies globally.

 

As part of his employment, Gupta signed an agreement prohibiting him from disclosing, retaining or making unauthorized copies of proprietary information or trade secrets without authorization from the company. Throughout his employment, Gupta had access to valuable and protected information including pricing structures and strategies and product development and manufacturing capabilities. To secure this information, the company used multiple layers of protection.

 

In early January 2020, Gupta announced his intent to resign and take a job with a domestic technology company headquartered in Redmond, Washington.  While still employed at the company in Oregon, Gupta downloaded approximately 4,000 files, many of which contained trade secrets and proprietary materials, from his company-issued computer to personal portable hard drives.

 

Between February and July 2020, while employed by the company in Washington, Gupta possessed and accessed his previous employer's trade secrets and proprietary information without authorization. Gupta accessed information related to customized product design and pricing for significant purchases of computer processors, which Gupta used, as a representative of the Washington company, during head-to-head negotiations with his previous employer.

 

On December 26, 2024, Gupta was charged by criminal information with possessing stolen trade secrets.

 

Gupta faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced on August 12, 2025, by a U.S. District Judge.

 

This case was investigated by the FBI. It is being prosecuted by William M. Narus, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, Geoffrey A. Barrow, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, and Anand B. Patel, Senior Counsel for the Criminal Division.

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Attached Media Files: Final.pdf,

United States Attorney Natalie K. Wight Concludes Service To The United States Department Of Justice (Photo) -02/18/25

PORTLAND, Ore.-- The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon announced today the departure of United States Attorney Natalie K. Wight.

 

Ms. Wight was informed of her termination in a communication from the White House. As a Presidential appointee, Ms. Wight is subject to removal from office at the discretion of the sitting President. The White House thanked her for her service to the United States.

 

A twenty-year veteran of the United States Department of Justice, Ms. Wight was recruited directly into the Attorney General's Honors Program in 2003.

 

With the support of Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, Ms. Wight was nominated by President Joseph R. Biden Jr. on June 6, 2022, and was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on September 9, 2022.

 

"I am proud of the Office's dedication to protecting Oregon's youth, supporting law enforcement, and maintaining strong agency partnerships," said former U.S. Attorney Wight. During her tenure, Ms. Wight focused on outreach to schools by educating students on the dangers of fentanyl, warning of online exploitation, and applauding the care and compassion of Oregon's student leaders. This year, the district hosted its third Junior Justice Summit where student ambassadors from local high schools collaborated with civic leaders, public servants, and members of the law enforcement community to identify and achieve common goals to help keep kids safe and our neighborhoods thriving.

 

"I want to thank our Oregon communities and our exceptional public servants for helping to keep Oregon a safe and beautiful place to live," said former U.S. Attorney Wight. "I am excited to watch the office's continued success working with federal, state, county, local, and tribal agencies serving the people of Oregon. I am immensely proud to have worked side by side with such dedicated Oregonians."

 

As United States Attorney, Ms. Wight was selected to serve on the Attorney General's Advisory Committee (AGAC) as the Ninth Circuit representative. The AGAC advises the Attorney General and senior Department of Justice leadership on critical legal issues impacting the districts in each circuit. Ms. Wight served as liaison for the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Civil Division while on the AGAC. She also served on the national subcommittees for Controlled Substances, Violent Crime, Child Exploitation, and Native American Issues.

 

There are thirty-six counties and nine tribal reservations in the District of Oregon. The U.S. Attorney's Offices in Portland, Eugene, and Medford employ career attorneys and professional staff who are responsible for conducting all criminal prosecutions, collection of debts owed to the federal government, and civil litigation in the district involving the United States.

 

As provided for under the Vacancies Reform Act, the First Assistant U.S. Attorney now serves as the Acting U.S. Attorney.

 

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Attached Media Files: Final.pdf,