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WASHINGTON — The federal prosecution team in the Elizabeth Smart kidnapping case was honored by the U.S. Department of Justice on Friday.
Receiving the award for Superior Performance by a Litigative Team were assistant U.S. attorneys Felice Viti, David F. Backman, and Diana Hagen; victim witness coordinator Cecelia Swainston; supervisory litigation support specialist Yvette G. Laughter; FBI special agent Eric Lerohl, and Salt Lake assistant district attorney Alicia Cook.
The team was recognized for successfully prosecuting Brian David Mitchell last year in federal court after the case had stalled in state court. Mitchell is serving a life sentence for kidnapping and transporting Smart across state lines to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
Also receiving recognition Friday was assistant U.S. attorney Robert C. Lunnen who was honored for his work as the Justice attached and senior DOJ official in Afghanistan from October 2009 through March 2011.
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