U.S. Attorney’s Office to Work with Local Partners to Reduce Domestic Violence

Press Release

U.S. Justice Department Designates Salt Lake County Communities in the District of Utah Under Section 1103 of the Violence Against Women Act, Prioritizing Firearms Prosecutions of Domestic Violence Offenders

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - Attorney General Merrick B. Garland has approved an initial set of 78 communities across 47 states, territories, and the District of Columbia for designation under Section 1103 of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022.

The Justice Department - through its United States Attorney's offices (USAOs) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Field Divisions - will partner with each designated jurisdiction to develop a plan to reduce intimate partner firearm violence and to prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders prohibited under 18 U.S. Code Section 922(g) from owning firearms.

"Stopping gender-based violence is a priority in the District of Utah and it is critical that we work together," said United States Attorney Trina A. Higgins. "Through our robust partnerships with state, local, federal, and tribal law enforcement, and community organizations, we remain committed to addressing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking through prosecution and providing access to justice for victims and survivors."

"Domestic abuse was once considered a private matter to be suffered alone in the shadows", said ATF Special Agent in Charge Brent Beavers. VAWA has steadily shone a light on this issue, resulting in significant decreases in domestic violence over the past few decades. We recognize firearms are often used by abusers to carry out acts of domestic violence. To combat this, we encourage our law enforcement partners to seek all available federal funds so we may continue to disrupt this violence, and strengthen our support of all victims."

The U.S. Attorney's Office in the District of Utah has always prioritized cases involving firearms and domestic violence offenders. Part of our office's current strategic plan is to expand relationships with groups focusing on domestic violence prevention, such as victim advocacy groups, shelters, and resource centers. We also continue to organize training with our law enforcement partners to specifically address prosecutions involving persons convicted of a misdemeanor crime of violence and offenders subject to a protective order.

Additionally, this month in the District of Utah, a man who was found guilty of murdering his girlfriend while within Indian Country will be sentenced to federal prison. Last month, a Utah woman who attempted to commit a murder for hire to kill her ex-boyfriend's new girlfriend was sentenced to 78 months' imprisonment. These successful outcomes would not be possible without the tireless work of our law enforcement partners and prosecutors in the pursuit of justice.

Communities have been designated in close coordination with community stakeholders. They include rural areas, suburban areas, urban areas, and Tribal communities. The Justice Department used data to identify communities that could benefit from increased focus on intimate partner violence resources and where the local jurisdiction is committed to partnering with the Department to increase the use of federal tools to prosecute offenders under 18 U.S.C. 922(g). The designation represents the partnership and coordination between the department and the local jurisdiction to ensure federal resources are being leveraged effectively to address intimate partner firearm violence.

In the District of Utah, the following jurisdictions have been designated: Salt Lake County.

The Justice Department anticipates additional jurisdictions to be designated as USAOs continue coordination with their local stakeholders. All USAOs, with or without specific community designations under Section 1103, will continue to combat intimate partner firearm violence and prioritize prosecutions of domestic violence offenders as part of their Project Safe Neighborhoods strategy and in support of the Department's Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime.

Updated September 13, 2024