COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Branch County has been awarded a federal grant for an attorney who would focus on drug dealing, human trafficking and fraud being perpetrated by non-U.S. citizens.
Branch County Prosecutor Victor Fitz told the Branch County Board of Commissioners during their work session on Thursday that they found out about the approval earlier this month after an application was submitted in June.
He requested the Commissioners accept the 100 percent reimbursed grant and begin the application, interview and hiring process. Commissioners are scheduled to take formal action on accepting the grant next Tuesday.
The attorney who would be a Branch County employee who would work out of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Grand Rapid as a federal assistant prosecutor.
Fitz says the $436,000 grant would be for three years. It would cover all costs for the compensation, travel and training for the new hire.
At the conclusion of the three year period, Fitz said the grant is expected to be eligible for a further extension.
The Grant request has been captioned JUSTICE BRANCH INITIATIVE.
Fitz adds the attorney would facilitate greater coordination of prosecution efforts between the county and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan.
Fitz earlier stated methamphetamine has been coming into Michigan for the last decade particularly in the southern part of the state from the Mexican cartels and that a significant number of those engaged in the meth dealing pipeline are non-citizens.
Fitz stated in his letter to County Administrator Frank Walsh, “They are obviously profiting greatly from and having a significant detrimental impact on those vulnerable and susceptible to drug use, including Branch County. Similarly, the vast majority of cocaine, heroin, and other opioids impacting us have non-citizen origins and supply chains.”
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