Federal criminal violations prosecuted by the Major Crimes Section include some of the top prosecution priorities of the Department of Justice, such as sexual exploitation of children, identity fraud and immigration violations. The Section also handles prosecutions involving the civil rights statutes, environmental crimes, domestic violence and stalking. Complex issues that implicate national security are also within the jurisdiction of the Section, such as technology transfer, export violations, arson and explosives, as well as computer security and hacking issues.

Additional crimes handled by the Major Crimes Section include:

• Bank thefts and robberies not involving the use of weapons
• Kidnapping Human trafficking
• Trafficking in contraband cigarettes
• Fish & Wildlife
• Counterfeiting
• Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property and other non-fraud property offenses
• Threats and assaults (mail, wire, against public officials)
• Unauthorized Flight After Prosecution (Fugitives) and Escape
• Copyright and trademark violations
• Loan sharking and gambling
• Other Regulatory offenses not involving false statements
• Postal thefts, robberies and obstruction of the mail

The collective experience of Major Crimes Section prosecutors is varied and easily translated into the complexities of different investigations that are within the responsibility of the section. Indeed, most federal investigative agencies will rely upon the Major Crimes Section as they investigate and present for prosecution the many different crimes included in the federal criminal code.

The National Security Section is staffed with Assistant United States Attorneys who work with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to ensure that all matters that may bear upon the national security interests of the United States are thoroughly and lawfully investigated. Most such matters fall under the investigative jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The FBI coordinates the Joint Terrorism Task Force, made up of approximately 100 federal, state and local investigators. The FBI also conducts all counterespionage and foreign counterintelligence investigations for the United States Government. It is the Assistant United States Attorneys’ responsibility to provide legal guidance and advice leading to the successful conclusion of these investigations and the prosecution of alleged violators.

Additionally, it is the responsibility of the Chief of the National Security Section to ensure that initiatives important to the protection of vital aspects of our state’s infrastructure are conducted. Thus, from time to time, the United States Attorney’s Office will request assistance from relevant agencies and coordinate their activities to investigate, for instance, whether those persons that have received access to sensitive/secure areas of BWI Thurgood Marshall International Airport, the Port of Baltimore, or other similar locations have provided truthful information to security officials regarding such things as their criminal history, their social security number, immigration status, or any other information relevant to their receipt of special access. These kinds of protective initiatives are an integral component of the United States Attorney’s Office’s anti-terrorism program and complement the office’s overall national security strategy.