The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio recognized federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies for their investigative achievements during a recent Law Enforcement Awards ceremony held in Cleveland on Mar. 16.
The event highlighted the importance of collaboration among law enforcement agencies in addressing critical criminal cases throughout the region. The awards acknowledged efforts that led to successful outcomes in areas such as child sexual exploitation, drug trafficking, ransomware, and cybercrime during 2025.
U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio said, “Here in our Northern District of Ohio, we have unique relationship with our partners, and that’s not always the case in other regions. It is my honor to recognize these men and women whose diligent investigations allow us to prosecute dangerous criminals to the fullest extent of the law. Criminal investigators can face roadblocks and dead ends. But because of the persistence of these professionals, and their unwavering commitment to protect and help victims, our office can ensure that justice is served.”
Awards were presented across four regional offices: Toledo, Cleveland, Akron/Canton, and Youngstown. Honorees included FBI Special Agent Pete Mauro (Akron/Canton Agent of the Year) for his work on child exploitation cases; FBI TFO Heather Blohm Stover (Akron/Canton Task Force Officer of the Year) for her role in child sex abuse and drug trafficking investigations; ATF Operation Double Eagle (Akron/Canton Partnership of the Year) for dismantling a major drug operation; FBI Special Agent Jeff Kassouf (Cleveland Agent of the Year) for a complex cybercrime investigation; FBI TFO Craig Payne (Cleveland Task Force Officer of the Year) for drug trafficking cases; FBI Special Agents Milan Kosanovich and Matt Richter (Cleveland Partnership of the Year) for recovering funds lost to cryptocurrency fraud; FBI Special Agent Alexander Hunt (Toledo Agent of the Year) for a child exploitation case leading to multiple arrests; USSS TFO Justin Craig (Toledo Task Force Officer of the Year); Northwest Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force (Toledo Partnership); ATF Special Agent Jason Petaccio and DEA TFO Michael Bender (Youngstown Region); Homeland Security Investigations/Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force (Youngstown Partnership).
The United States Marshals Service received District Agency of the Year under U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott’s leadership for its work with NOVFTF arresting over 2,700 offenders in 2025 as well as efforts by its Missing Child Unit.
Representatives from numerous regional agencies attended including police departments from Akron, Barberton, Lorain, Mahoning County Sheriff Office, Summit County Sheriff Office, University of Akron Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation units including task forces focused on child exploitation and human trafficking.
The ceremony underscored ongoing cooperation between agencies working together to address crime across northern Ohio.
