DA's office seeks county sign-off to apply for Edward Byrne grant to fund witness-protection advocate

Representatives of the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office asked the board to authorize the county to apply for an Edward Byrne JAG grant to support witness-protection operations, including a dedicated victim-advocate and one-time equipment purchases.

Ryan Brackley (calling in) and Jonathan Nelson, a criminal investigator with the 18th Judicial DA's Office, described the workload (about 230 witness-protection cases to date) and the need for a trauma-informed specialist to coordinate confidential communications, safety planning, emergency lodging/relocation, court-appearance logistics and record management.

"This specialist would basically serve as the primary point of contact for protected victims and witnesses... assist with safety planning, emergency lodging or lodging, relocation, transportation, court appearances, record management," Nelson said, listing the duties a dedicated advocate would provide. Brackley added that the grant would also fund one-time operational tools including secure cell phones, ballistic protection for high-risk transports, counter-surveillance training and Scopeman open-source intelligence software to identify digital exposures.

Commissioners asked about grant duration and sustainability; staff explained the Edward Byrne award is structured as a three-year grant (the packet cited $462,634.29 spread across three years) with annual continuation steps and reporting; the DA's office said it would seek renewal and look to incorporate the position into budgets if continuing need is demonstrated. The board indicated support and asked that the county file the application and place the ratification on the next consent agenda.