GREENSBORO – Nicole DuPré, Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) for the Middle District of North Carolina, has been named the 2023 Assistant United States Attorney of the Year for North Carolina by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). This accolade, announced by United States Attorney Sandra J. Hairston, highlights her significant contributions to the investigation and prosecution of Chester Fletcher Wallace.
The HSI Charlotte regional office annually acknowledges the exceptional efforts of law enforcement officers and prosecutors from both North Carolina and South Carolina. DuPré’s recognition stems from her role in the Wallace case, which culminated in a conviction on July 14, after a four-day trial. Wallace was found guilty of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, threats of force, fraud, and coercion, alongside five counts related to commercial sex acts under similar conditions.
Wallace received a sentence of six concurrent life terms in November and was ordered to pay $914,401.07 in restitution. U.S. Attorney Hairston commended DuPré and co-counsel Tanner Kroeger, currently with the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, for their dedication to securing justice for the victims. Hairston underscored the importance of combating human trafficking, a crime that exploits society’s most vulnerable.
The Department of Justice marks January as National Human Trafficking Awareness month, aiming to increase public understanding of this critical issue. For more information on human trafficking or to seek assistance for potential victims, visit the DHS Blue Campaign website at https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign/about-blue-campaign.