Navigating Federal Prosecution of Violent Crimes: Key Statutes, Investigations, and Penalties

Navigating Federal Prosecution of Violent Crimes: Key Statutes, Investigations, and Penalties

September 26, 2024

12:00-1:15 p.m.

Via Zoom

Description: The federal government has generally lacked jurisdiction to prosecute many violent crimes. Accordingly, the burden has traditionally fallen upon state and local law enforcement officers and prosecutors. However, Congress has increasingly broadened federal jurisdiction which enables federal agents and federal prosecutors to become more involved in the enforcement effort against violence.

 This training is designed to be a concise summary of some of the federal statutes which can be used to prosecute violent offenders. It is not all-inclusive; however, it describes the principal statutes available and some of the consequences to a federal conviction. During this training we hope to assist the bar with understanding federal firearms laws, how they are investigated, and the potential penalties their client’s face.

Speakers:

Johnathan G. Nathans, Assistant United States Attorney at U.S. Department of Justice

Based in Portland, Maine, John Nathans has served as an Assistant United States Attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice since September 2018, leveraging extensive legal expertise to prosecute federal cases. Prior to this role, Nathans was an Assistant Attorney General at the Office of the Maine Attorney General from October 2015 to September 2018, where they handled various state-level legal matters.

Before joining the state’s top legal office, Nathans practiced law at Norman, Hanson & DeTroy, LLC in Portland, Maine, from September 2013 to November 2015. Their legal career began with a judicial clerkship at the Maine Superior Court, serving from August 2012 to August 2013. Nathans also gained valuable experience as an intern at the Cumberland County District Attorney's Office, where they worked from June 2011 to June 2012.

John Nathans holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Maine School of Law (2009-2012) and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a focus on Leadership Studies from the University of Richmond (1999-2001).

Nicholas Heimbach, Assistant United States Attorney at U.S. Department of Justice

Nick has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney since 2019. While assigned to the U.S. Attorney’s Bangor office, Nick primarily prosecuted firearm and drug offenses and offenses committed within Acadia National Park. Now in the U.S. Attorney’s Portland office since 2023, Nick is responsible for prosecuting a variety of cases, including fraud, firearm, and intimate partner violence/Violence Against Women Act offenses. Nick serves as the District of Maine’s Intimate Partner Violence Coordinator, as well as the Asset Forfeiture Coordinator, Digital Asset Coordinator, and Criminal e-Litigation Coordinator.

Nick previously served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Child Protection Division of the Maine Attorney General’s Office and an Assistant District Attorney in the York County District Attorney’s Office.

This program is pending one hour of general CLE credit.  Zoom login credentials will be emailed one day before the program.