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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Attorney General John Ashcroft today welcomed President George W. Bush's announcement of his intention to nominate John Robert Flores to be Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

"Robert Flores will play a crucial role in preventing juvenile crime," Ashcroft said. "His long record of service will be an asset to the Department. I look forward to drawing upon his expertise as we work to stop violence among America's youth."

Flores is currently the Vice President and Senior Counsel for the National Law Center for Children and Families, where he handles cases regarding child abuse and exploitation and child pornography.

From 1989-1997, he worked at the Department of Justice in the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section of the Criminal Division, serving as Special Attorney, Senior Trial Attorney and Acting Deputy Chief. In that capacity, Flores developed national policies to investigate and prosecute child pornography and sexual abuse, oversaw investigative operations and argued several prominent cases regarding child exploitation and abuse.

Previously, he worked as Assistant District Attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney's office, where he handled several hundred cases from arraignment to trial and sentencing, as well as several appellate matters.

Flores received his undergraduate degrees and his law degree from Boston University. During his past service at the Department, he was recognized with the Assistant Attorney General Award, the Outstanding Achievement award and Meritorious Achievement awards.

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