Columbus U.S. Attorneys Receive Director's Awards
The Executive Office for United States Attorneys honored two members of the Southern District of Ohio team for their legal work.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Sex Crimes
The Executive Office for United States Attorneys recently presented Director's Awards to two attorneys from the Southern District of Ohio in Columbus. The honors recognize career-long achievements and recent contributions to the prosecution of sexual exploitation cases.
Why it matters
The awards highlight the ongoing efforts of federal prosecutors to address complex criminal activities, including the prosecution of sexual exploitation cases through programs like Project Safe Childhood.
Emily Czerniejewski secured the country's first conviction under the Take It Down Act, which was signed into law in May 2025. Her work includes prosecutions involving cases such as the Stopar investigation, which involved nine minor victims.
The players
Kevin W. Kelley
He is an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio who received the Lifetime Exceptional Service Award.
Emily Czerniejewski
She is a Criminal Assistant United States Attorney recognized for her work on Project Safe Childhood and sexual exploitation cases.
Dominick S. Gerace II
He is the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio who announced the recent award recipients.
The details
Kevin W. Kelley was awarded the Lifetime Exceptional Service Award for more than three decades of tenure at the U.S. Attorney's Office. Emily Czerniejewski received the award for Excellence as a Criminal Assistant United States Attorney for her contributions to Project Safe Childhood.
Timeline
1994: Kevin W. Kelley began his career at the U.S. Attorney's Office.
May 2025: The Take It Down Act was signed into federal law.
Legal Context
This recognition aligns with the recent implementation of the Take It Down Act, which criminalizes the distribution of non-consensual intimate imagery. The prosecution strategy reflects a broader federal shift toward prioritizing digital-era crimes against minors.
The recognition of these attorneys reinforces the operational priorities of the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Southern District of Ohio regarding child safety. Local residents can anticipate continued focus on federal investigations involving sexual exploitation and digital safety statutes.
The takeaway
The awards showcase the long-term commitment of federal prosecutors to handling complex criminal litigation in the Southern District of Ohio. Implementing new statutes like the Take It Down Act remains a central component of these legal efforts.
Further reading
For more information on legal actions in the area, visit the Sex Crimes section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The United States Department of Justice.
