Cincinnatti, Ohio – U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II announced a series of awards recognizing outstanding performance among employees of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio. The awards honored individuals and teams across four categories, acknowledging their critical roles in prosecuting high-stakes cases, supporting operations, and leading the office with integrity.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Commended for Leading Difficult Cases
The award for Outstanding Performance by an Assistant U.S. Attorney was shared by Kyle J. Healey and Adam Tieger.
Kyle J. Healey was recognized for his tireless pursuit of justice in some of the district’s most disturbing criminal cases involving minors. Among his notable cases:
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In U.S. v. Kelly Richards, Healey secured a conviction against a man who gave cocaine to minors, kept them confined, and trafficked them for sex. Richards was sentenced to 40 years in prison.
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In U.S. v. William Scott Elam, Healey prosecuted a man who impersonated a teenage boy online to coerce young girls into sending explicit content. Elam used self-harm threats as manipulation and was sentenced to 26 years in prison.
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In U.S. v. Daveion Wright, the defendant was sentenced to 29 years in prison for sexually exploiting a toddler via Snapchat.
Adam Tieger, a civil Assistant U.S. Attorney, was honored for his work in civil asset forfeiture and immigration cases. He played a pivotal role in securing favorable rulings in complex litigation on behalf of federal agencies.
Support Staff Recognized for Dedication and Teamwork
The Outstanding Performance by Staff awards went to Brittany Ewing and Kristine Pfarrer for their invaluable behind-the-scenes work.
Ewing, a docketing technician in Cincinnati, took on extra responsibilities this year, including managing grand jury coordination and civil foreclosure filings, helping the office overcome staffing challenges.
Pfarrer, a criminal paralegal in Dayton, was described as “competent, pleasant and a team player.” She consistently delivered detailed and timely work while supporting multiple attorneys and coordinating Dayton’s grand jury.
Litigative Teams Applauded for Tackling Major Conspiracies
Eleven individuals were recognized for Outstanding Performance by a Litigative Team, credited for their involvement in three major cases:
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U.S. v. Washington et al involved 23 defendants linked to narcotics and human trafficking conspiracies. Drugs were trafficked near a Columbus school, and at least two deaths were tied to the organization’s activities.
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U.S. v. Ricco Maye led to a life sentence for Maye, who ran a criminal enterprise involving drugs, sex trafficking, and COVID-19 relief fraud. He coerced addicts into prostitution and committed acts of violence to control his network.
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U.S. v. Larry Williams et al concluded with multiple life sentences for Williams, who ordered the murder of three people. He directed accomplices to dismember and bury two victims to hide the evidence, all in connection to a narcotics conspiracy. A total of 13 defendants were convicted in the case.
Leadership Recognized for Steadfast Service
Finally, Kelly Norris received the Extraordinary Individual Contribution to the Mission of the U.S. Attorney’s Office award. Norris served as Acting U.S. Attorney from February to August 2025 and later as First Assistant U.S. Attorney through December. Her leadership was key to advancing the district’s mission and aligning with both Department of Justice and Administration priorities.
This year’s awards underscore the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s commitment to pursuing justice, supporting victims, and protecting communities. Through their service, each honoree contributed meaningfully to the district’s success in fighting crime and upholding the rule of law.
