Senate Confirms Two For Key Federal Law Enforcement Posts In Vermont

. . . Leahy Steers Through Nominations Of Coffin, Demag, Who Become
First U.S. Attorney And U.S. Marshal Confirmed By 111^th Congress

(FRIDAY, August 7) – The U.S. Senate Friday confirmed two nominees for the top federal law enforcement offices in Vermont, steered through the Senate by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.).  Tristram Coffin and David Demag became the first U.S. Attorney and U.S. Marshal nominees of President Obama to be confirmed by the Senate. 

In March, Leahy recommended Coffin to fill Vermont’s U.S. Attorney position, and Demag, a longtime law enforcement officer in Vermont, to be the state’s U.S. Marshal.  Coffin was the President’s first nominee to fill 93 U.S. Attorney positions across the country.  Demag became the President’s first U.S. Marshal nominee on July 31.  By longstanding practice, the state’s senior senator from the President’s party makes recommendations for nominations to federal vacancies in the senator’s state.  Leahy also chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, which handles the confirmation process for U.S. Attorneys and U.S. Marshals.

“In Tris Coffin and David Demag, Vermont has two first-rate federal law enforcers to fight and prevent crime,” said Leahy.  “Their experience and professionalism will be especially valuable in our ongoing efforts to combat drug-related crime and violence in Vermont.  I am delighted that they have become the first U.S. Attorney and U.S. Marshal confirmed by the Senate in the new administration.”

Coffin was nominated by the President on June 4.  He will manage the U.S. Department of Justice’s U.S. Attorney offices in Burlington and Rutland overseeing the work of nearly 20 prosecutors.  Coffin formerly served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and as an attorney in the Justice Department’s Civil Division.  Since 2006 he has been in private practice in Burlington.

Demag was nominated just one week ago, on July 31.  He will oversee Vermont’s U.S. Marshal Service operation, which has offices in Burlington, Rutland and Brattleboro.  Demag is a fourth-generation law enforcement officer, and formerly served as police chief in St. Albans and Essex Jct. 

# # # # #