FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Tuesday, February 28, 2017
CONTACT:  Sara Rabern (605) 773-3215   

PIERRE, S.D. – Attorney General Marty Jackley and other leaders of the National Attorneys General met with the new U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions about strengthening public safety, including addressing violent crime, human trafficking, and controlled substances from our southern borders.

“As South Dakota’s Attorney General and the former Chairman of the Nation’s Attorneys General, I am looking forward to working with our federal partners in continuing to strengthen public safety.  Law enforcement cooperation in South Dakota involving the U.S. Attorney, Attorney General, State’s Attorneys, Tribal officers, Chiefs, and Sheriffs, sets a high standard on how to better protect communities by developing task forces and sharing resources,” said Jackley. “U.S. Attorney Sessions gave his commitment to work with and seek advice from state and local officials to reduce crime in America.”

There are significant opportunities to strengthen efforts that have been important to our Nation’s Attorneys General which include:

1. Federal partnering and assistance with the Conference of Western Attorneys General agreement with the United Mexican States in combating drug crimes, weapons trafficking and human trafficking.  See Conference Western Attorneys General Agreement signed by then Chairman Attorney General Marty J. Jackley, July 20, 2014.   

2. Removing Federal immunity that prevents state prosecutors from prosecuting those that assist and make a profit from internet child sex trafficking activity.  See the State Attorney General correspondence to Congress of July 23, 2013, co-authored by Marty Jackley (R) and Chris Koster (D) and signed by 49 State Attorneys General.   

3. Federal partnering with the National “Campaign for Child Rescue,” a joint partnership of law enforcement, private industry leaders and non-profit organizations led by South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley (R) and Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring (D).  This program ensures assets and new technologies are deployed to identify and rescue children in every state.

Pictured above from left to right:

Kansas AG Derek Schmidt – NAAG President-Elect; South Dakota AG Marty Jackley – NAAG Immediate Past President; Connecticut AG George Jepsen – NAAG President; U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions; U.S. Senator Luther Strange (Alabama); Louisiana AG Jeff Landry – NAAG Vice President

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