Sheriff's Office

For Immediate Release

PR #: 1500025
Date Issued: Feb 25, 2015 - 8:40am

Sheriff's Office recognizes Assistant U.S. Attorney Carla Higginbotham with Distinguished Service Medal

CONTACT: Bob Harmon
Washoe County Sheriff's Office
Office 775-785-6235
Cell 775-722-5517

Washoe County Sheriff Chuck Allen presented the Sheriff's Office Distinguished Service Medal to Assistant U.S. Attorney Carla Higginbotham this week in recognition of her emphatic commitment to protecting the young and vulnerable in our community through her work as a prosecutor for Project Safe Childhood.

"This important award recognizes your willingness to work through very difficult situations in order to protect those who cannot protect themselves," Sheriff Allen said during Tuesday's presentation.

"We appreciate the toll this type of work takes on prosecutors," Sheriff Allen said. "This is our opportunity to thank you for your passion to prosecute those who commit these acts so as to ensure justice for the victims."

According to the Sheriff's Office citation, Assistant U.S. Attorney Higginbotham was responsible for the successful prosecution of more than 120 defendants convicted of child pornography, human trafficking, and sex offender violations since 2010. Each of those prosecutions resulted in sentences of five to more than 20 years in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Higginbotham is also committed to increasing awareness about human trafficking and child pornography, providing in-depth education on these issues to law enforcement, prosecutors and the courts. In 2013, she worked with the Washoe County Sheriff's Office to produce a training video on human trafficking for local law enforcement.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Higginbotham said the award reflected the work of a team more than any one individual.

"We do this because of our deep commitment to our community," she said. "I am truly honored that I am able to provide a voice to those who put these cases together and, most importantly, to the victims."

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office Distinguished Service Medal is awarded to Sheriff's Office members or those outside the agency who, by their actions, have demonstrated conduct that is clearly beyond normal expectations.

Photo: Washoe County Sheriff Chuck Allen presents the Sheriff's Office Distinguished Service Award to Assistant U.S. Attorney Carla Higginbotham during a special ceremony on Tuesday, February 24, 2015.

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The Washoe County Sheriff's Office is dedicated to preserving a safe and secure community with professionalism, respect, integrity and the highest commitment to equality. Sheriff Darin Balaam is the 27th person elected to serve as the Sheriff of Washoe County since the Office was created in 1861. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office strives to ensure public safety by building trust and creating partnerships within the diverse communities in which we serve. We will promote the dignity of all people supported by our words and actions through open communication while fostering an environment of professionalism, integrity and mutual respect.

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