In a rising number of gang and drug-related criminal cases, authorities are unable to successfully investigate and prosecute cases because key witnesses refuse to provide critical evidence or testify because they fear retaliation. Unfortunately, their fears are well-founded. Examples of retaliation are numerous and include execution-style murders of witnesses in front of their homes and using an informant s head as a soccer ball on the neighborhood streets. The successful intimidation of citizens and even whole communities is allowing these thugs to undermine our civil society and escape justice. Traditional methods of witness protection like high bail and witness protection programs remain helpful, but insufficient.
Gangs go state to state and track down witnesses to maintain their reign of terror.
As a result, state and local law enforcement officials have called for a greater role in responding to witness intimidation. The Witness Protection and Interstate Relocation Act makes it a federal offense to travel across state lines with the intent to delay or influence the testimony of a witness in a state criminal proceeding by bribery, force, intimidation, or threat. The bill also promotes safer and more effective witness protection programs through coordination among state and local interstate witness relocation programs. The second bill eliminates loopholes that protect criminals. It establishes clear rules for applying strict mandatory sentences for anyone who uses a gun while committing a violent or drug-related federal crime.