The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Ohio recently acknowledged the remarkable efforts of its staff by bestowing awards in various categories, recognizing employees who have shown exceptional performance. The commendation included attorneys and staff who worked on high-profile criminal cases as well as on comprehensive civil and administrative matters.
The announcement named Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kyle J. Healey and Adam Tieger among those celebrated for their outstanding contributions. Healey's commitment to prosecuting cases, including those on sex trafficking and child exploitation, led to significant sentences. In one example, Kelly Richards was sentenced to 40 years after a trial found him guilty of sex trafficking minors and other heinous crimes. Tieger, in the realm of civil law, has been instrumental in ensuring governmental agencies are well-represented and victorious in court.
Among the staff, Brittany Ewing and Kristine Pfarrer were praised for their diligence. Ewing, as a docketing technician, adeptly assumed additional roles, including grand jury coordination, despite challenges like staffing shortages. Pfarrer's efficient paralegal work has made her a valued member of the team, handling grand jury coordination in Dayton with a detailed and timely approach.
The extraordinary work of litigative teams was also highlighted, with team members Timothy D. Prichard, Emily Czerniejewski, Elizabeth A. Geraghty, Heather A. Hill, Kevin W. Kelley, Kim Robinson, Kelly Terry, Carolyn Delery, Deena Antoon, Alexis Williams, and Brandon Harmon being recognized. Their collective efforts covered major cases like U.S. v. Washington et al, which dealt with narcotic and human trafficking, leading to the indictment of 23 individuals. Other significant cases included U.S. v. Ricco Maye and U.S. v. Larry Williams et al, both involving a series of grave crimes and resulting in the sentencing of multiple defendants to life in prison.
Kelly Norris's contributions were singled out for the "Extraordinary Individual Contribution to the Mission of the U.S. Attorney’s Office." According to the justice.gov, Norris served as Acting U.S. Attorney and First Assistant U.S. Attorney in 2025, playing a crucial role in steering the district's successful adherence to the Administration's and Department of Justice's priorities.
