New US Attorney sits down with Gary Brode to discuss plans for the job

CHARLOTTE, NC — It’s been a busy couple of months for Russ Ferguson since taking over as Western North Carolina’s U.S. Attorney.

Since being appointed by Attorney General Pam Bondi, Ferguson has taken big swings especially local gangs.

“I’m very proud to say we completely dismantled a clique of the MS-13 gang, The Hollywood Logos clique, is completely eliminated by a prosecution in this office,” explained Ferguson.

Ferguson believes getting rid of gangs will help another problem growing in our community, youth crime.

“We’re really attacking the people that are recruiting youth. So the gangs, the cartels, some of them with international connections, but they’re growing their network by recruiting young people into them,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson’s office is responsible for 32 counties. From Mecklenburg County, west to the state line. Of course no bigger city than Charlotte. Earlier this week, CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings announced he will be stepping down at the end of the year.

“A chief of police that believes in partnerships, I think, would be the best thing for the city and in eliminating all the crime that we’ve been talking about,” Ferguson said of the top quality he’d like the next chief to have.

Ferguson’s first high profile case stays in Charlotte. His office recently indicted Charlotte City Councilwoman Tiawana Brown and her two daughters for PPP loan fraud.

Last week, Brown told reporters she paid back the money she owed but, it was after the investigation was underway.

Ferguson says paying the money back does not relieve Ferguson from the consequences.

“You cannot commit fraud and then get out of the consequences by paying the money back once you get caught. If anything, I think paying the money back shows consciousness of guilt,” explained Ferguson.