Violent offenders removal initiative 3.24.11

WISH-TV

INDIANPOLIS (WISH) - The U.S. Attorney, the Marion County Prosecutor, IMPD, the FBI, the DEA, and a host of other local law enforcement agencies all joined forces Thursday in a new initiative. They're planning to get the most violent offenders off the streets by sending them to federal court.
Thursday, federal and local police and prosecutors stood united in a show of force - sending a forceful united message during an afternoon press conference.

“To those who traffic in illegal guns and drugs, beginning today your choices will have consequences," said U.S. Attorney Joseph Hogsett.
"Violent criminals, drug dealers and career criminals, we are coming for you,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Barry Glickman.
"We stand united. We stand committed, and we will take you off the streets," said Public Safety Director Frank Straub.
There's no doubt about what they want to do.
Here's how they plan to do it.
This joint collaboration of local and federal police and prosecutors will identify criminals.
U.S. Attorney Joseph Hogsett calls them "the worst of the worst - violent criminals with extensive violent criminal history."
These criminals will be prosecuted federally - where laws are tougher and penalties are stiffer than under state law.
What criteria will police and prosecutors use to establish which criminals are the worst of the worst?
That is to be developed with [Marion County] Prosecutor Terry Curry and IMPD."
U.S. Attorney Hogsett later told 24-Hour News 8 that criminals selected for federal prosecution would be selected on a case by case basis.
Meanwhile, the new initiative boasts the arrests and indictments of 14 suspects - taking 35 guns as well as methamphetamine, marijuana and cocaine off the streets.
The question remains.
Without a clear criterion outlining which criminals will face federal prosecution, might critics and defense lawyers view the selection of criminals as arbitrary?
Time will answer that question. But there's little question law enforcement leaders believe the initiative will be an effective tool in ridding the streets of violence.
http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/news/local/marion_county/violent-offenders-removal-initiative