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Attorney general appoints Prim Escalona to replace U.S. Attorney Jay Town

Attorney General William Barr on Thursday announced the appointment of Prim Escalona as Interim U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama.  Escalona, formerly the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Justice Department, fills the position left vacant by the resignation of Jay Town, who ended his … Continued
July 16, 2020

Birmingham man sentenced for carjacking and firearm charges

A federal judge sentenced Darise Cortez Austin, age 29, on Friday for carjacking and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence that occurred in Birmingham. The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town and Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms Acting Special Agent in Charge Frank Haera. U.S. District Judge Corey … Continued
June 29, 2020

Two Florida men indicted for Anniston bank robbery, feds say

A federal grand jury on Tuesday indicted two Florida men for a bank robbery in Anniston. The indictments were announced by U.S. Attorney Jay Town and FBI Special Agent Johnnie Sharp Jr. A one-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges Christopher Jermain Spann, age 35, and Shaun Jamar Harris, age 31, with the Jan. … Continued
June 25, 2020

Funeral held for slain Moody police officer Williams

Monday, slain Moody police officer Lt. Stephen Williams was buried less than a week after he was killed in the line of duty. Williams was responding to a report of a disturbance at the Super 8 Motel on Highway 411 in Moody when he and a police trainee were fired upon. “Fallen Moody PD Lt. … Continued
June 9, 2020

U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town recognizes Police Week

There is a virtual candlelight vigil scheduled for May 13 at 7 p.m. CST in honor of the law enforcement officers who have died protecting our communities and way of life. In honor of National Police Week, U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town released a statement recognizing the service and sacrifice of federal, state, and local, … Continued
May 12, 2020

Former NASA Administrator James Beggs has died

Thursday, NASA Administrator James Beggs passed away. Beggs was NASA’s sixth administrator. He served under President Ronald W. Reagan (R). His tenure at NASA was highlighted by the successful launch of the space shuttle program. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine commented on the passing of Administrator Beggs. Mr. Beggs served as NASA administrator from July 1981 … Continued
April 27, 2020

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

U.S. Attorney Jay Town recognized Tuesday that April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to focus on the safety and well-being of our children. Town and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations Assistant Special Agent in Charge for Alabama James G. Hernandez reminded parents to be vigilant of their children’s online … Continued
April 22, 2020

DOJ makes $14 million available to public safety agencies to respond to COVID-19

Thursday, U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town announced that the Department of Justice is making $850 million available to help public safety agencies respond to the challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19, which has already killed over 6,000 Americans, including 32 Alabamians. The Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program was authorized in the recent stimulus legislation … Continued
April 3, 2020

Kimberly police officer killed in the line of duty

Thursday, Kimberly Police Department K9 Officer Nick O’Rear, age 33, has died from his wounds. O’Rear was shot and killed during a vehicle pursuit. “I am profoundly grieved to hear of the passing of the Kimberly Police Officer who was shot in the line of duty last night. The safety of our citizens and the … Continued
February 6, 2020