ALBUQUERQUE — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - New Mexico), published as received.
ALBUQUERQUE – First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison announced today that Lance Jaggers has joined the office as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and will serve in the Roswell office.
With this appointment, the U.S. Attorney's Office has restored a resident federal prosecutorial presence in Roswell for the first time in over six years, strengthening the office's ability to serve southeastern New Mexico and work alongside federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement partners.
"Restoring a resident federal prosecutor to Roswell expands our ability to meet the public safety challenges facing southeastern New Mexico," said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison. "As we continue to prioritize border security and the prosecution of violent crime, drug trafficking, and human trafficking, having an experienced prosecutor in Roswell strengthens our partnerships with law enforcement and enhances our ability to protect the people of southeast New Mexico."
Before joining the U.S. Attorney's Office, Mr. Jaggers served as an Assistant District Attorney with the Fifth Judicial District Attorney's Office in Roswell, where he prosecuted misdemeanor and felony cases, including serious violent offenses, and represented the State at jury trials. Over the course of his time with the Fifth Judicial District Attorney's Office, he worked closely with law enforcement throughout every stage of criminal investigations and prosecutions, from charging decisions through trial.
Mr. Jaggers also served in multiple legal roles with the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department, including as Assistant General Counsel and Children's Court Attorney. In those positions, he represented the department in employment and administrative matters, litigated abuse and neglect cases, handled matters involving the Indian Child Welfare Act, and worked closely with child welfare professionals, law enforcement, and the courts to protect vulnerable children.
As an Assistant United States Attorney, Mr. Jaggers will prosecute federal criminal cases and work closely with federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies throughout southeastern New Mexico.
The District of New Mexico consists of 33 counties and shares 180 miles of international border with Mexico. Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border remain the office's highest priorities. Enhanced enforcement efforts at the border and throughout the interior of the district have resulted in increased prosecutions involving immigration offenses, transnational criminal organizations, human trafficking, drug trafficking, child exploitation, and other violent crime.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys in Albuquerque, Las Cruces, and now Roswell work closely with federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement partners to prosecute immigration-related and other federal offenses. The restoration of a resident federal prosecutor in Roswell expands the office's capacity to support border security efforts affecting the interior of the district while strengthening the federal law enforcement presence across southeastern New Mexico.
