Southern District of Georgia Staff Honored for Ahmaud Arbery Case Efforts

Staff members from the Southern District of Georgia were honored today as Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced the recipients of the 70th and 71st Attorney General’s Awards, recognizing exceptional contributions to law enforcement. Recipients from both 2022 and 2023 were chosen from over 800 nominees.

Attorney General Garland praised the recipients for their outstanding service, stating, “Each of today’s recipients has served with distinction, enabling the Justice Department to advance its work on behalf of the American people.”

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara M. Lyons, along with Paralegal Tracy Long and Victim Witness Coordinators Kellie Wiggins and Iverna Campbell, received the 70th Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service. They were honored alongside nine staff members from the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and the FBI for their work on the Ahmaud Arbery case.

U.S. Attorney Steinberg commended the team, saying, “The trial and conviction of the three men responsible for the murder of Brunswick, Ga., resident Ahmaud Arbery was a painstaking, arduous journey for these dedicated investigators and prosecutors, and this prestigious award recognizes their accomplishments.” He added, “We especially are honored that our staff members’ hard work on behalf of the United States delivered a measure of justice for the victim’s family.”

Travis McMichael, Gregory McMichael, and William “Roddy” Bryan were convicted in February 2022 for violating Ahmaud Arbery’s civil rights. The men targeted Arbery because of his race, pursuing him through a Brunswick neighborhood, resulting in Arbery’s death. Travis and Gregory McMichael were sentenced to life terms in August 2022, while Bryan received a 35-year prison sentence. All three are also serving state sentences.

The investigation into this case was conducted by the FBI and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.