LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced today that the Department of Attorney General has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) to support the recently launched Operation Survivor Justice. The Operation is a partnership between the Michigan Department of Attorney General, local County Prosecutors, the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence and the U.S. Marshals Service to locate, apprehend, and return to Michigan fugitive offenders with outstanding sexual assault warrants.  

“We are incredibly grateful to the Office on Violence Against Women for this grant that will support our ability to apprehend cold-case sexual assault fugitives and bring justice to countless victims,” Nessel said. “The tireless efforts of Criminal Justice Bureau Chief Danielle Hagaman-Clark were invaluable in securing this funding, which will bolster Operation Survivor Justice’s ability to resolve open cases throughout our State.” 

"The Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence remains committed to fostering a strong partnership with the Michigan Department of Attorney General,” said Merkeb Yohannes, Co-Executive Director of the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence. “Together, we will continue to advocate for and support survivors across Michigan, ensuring they receive the resources and justice they deserve." 

The grant was awarded through the OVW’s Fiscal Year 2024 Enhancing Investigation and Prosecution of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking (EIP) Initiative. The EIP initiative is designed to promote and evaluate effective law enforcement and prosecution responses to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. It aims to encourage agencies to improve their capacity to investigate and prosecute these crimes, support victim safety, and hold offenders accountable. 

To date, four defendants have been extradited to Michigan under Operation Survivor Justice, funded by a $1 million state appropriation. Eligible cases for Operation Survivor Justice involve more than 800 defendants, previously charged, currently out on cash bail, and believed to be outside the State of Michigan.   

The $500,000 grant will be distributed to the Department over 3 years to hire a crime analyst who will work closely with the U.S. Marshals Service, local law enforcement, local prosecutors, and Assistant Attorneys General within the Department to identify fugitive cases where prosecution remains viable. The grant will support counseling and wraparound services for survivors and their families and provide technical assistance to Michigan’s 83 elected prosecutors and their staff in seeking extradition and pursuing continued prosecution as part of the Operation. 

###