Barron named Assistant US Attorneys Sarah Marquardt and Paul Budlow as chiefs and Assistant US Attorney Charles Austin as deputy chief of the new civil rights and special victims section, according to the release. Assistant US attorneys from both the civil and criminal divisions will staff the unit.
The section will prioritize federal criminal civil rights enforcement including cases of child exploitation, human trafficking, and identity theft, according to the release.
The division will also emphasize civil rights work that addresses hate crimes, housing discrimination, voter suppression, discriminatory employment practices, equal opportunity for people with disabilities, and denials of equal protection to students, according to the release.
In his one year as the US attorney, Barron has established a violent and organized crime section and hired 19 new assistant US attorneys, according to the release.
Barron previously served in the Maryland General Assembly as a delegate representing Prince George’s County. During his time as a delegate, he served as a member of the General Assembly’s Legislative Black Caucus and was known for his work advocating for criminal justice reform.