Who was Jessica Aber? Ex-US lawyer investigated Russians, Israelis, monetary fraudsters and violent criminals
Jessica Aber, a career federal prosecutor, was found dead at her home in Alexandria, Virginia, Saturday morning – but the circumstances of her death remain unclear.
Aber, 43, rose to prominence as a top U.S. attorney in Virginia, overseeing important legal cases for the Justice Department, including those securing convictions for an MS-13 gang leader, the former governor of Virginia and more.
She also helped in investigations against Russians accused of conspiracy and fraud. Aber also oversaw the prosecution of man who helped Israeli citizens enter the U.S. without proper visas.
She was appointed to oversee the Virginia district by then-president Joe Biden. Aber resigned from her position as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia as President Donald Trump took office.
Two months later, police were called to Aber’s home shortly after 9 a.m. where authorities found her deceased. Her death is under investigation and will be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia, the Alexandria Police Department said.
Here’s are details about Aber’s life and some of the top cases she oversaw:
Who was Jessica Aber?
Aber spent most of her life in Virginia and obtained her bachelor’s from the University of Richmond and her law degree from the William & Mary Law School.
She began her career in the Eastern District of Virginia in 2009, serving as an assistant U.S. attorney before becoming counsel to the assistant attorney general for the criminal division in 2015. One year later, she became deputy chief of the criminal division for the district court.
In 2021, Aber became the third woman to be confirmed to lead the Eastern District of Virginia’s office after being nominated by Biden.
Colleagues described Aber as an “unmatched” leader who was deeply committed to seeking justice. Some told the Washington Post she was detail-oriented and often sat in the courtroom gallery for major trials or hearings.
Aber was dedicated to restoring public trust in law enforcement, so much so that she logged more than 50,000 miles driving her Hyundai across Virginia to speak with people in communities we were disgruntled with law enforcement, she told the Washington Post.
What cases did Jessica Aber work on?
Having spent much of her career working in an area of the U.S. home to some of the most important federal agencies, Aber handled cases prosecuting violent crimes, child exploitation cases, financial fraud, cyber crimes and more.
Many of Aber’s cases involved foreign entities, whether it be individuals, companies or organizations.
In October, Aber and her staff secured a criminal conviction against a former MS-13 gang member for his role in the gang’s criminal enterprise that resulted in the killing of six people.
At the time of the conviction, Aber said the gang’s “deadly activities” including flooding the streets with narcotics and committing brutal murders “will not go unchecked” and promised to give her “full attention and resources” to address the crimes.
In coordination with the Department of State and Treasury, Aber and her office brought an indictment against a Russian national for his alleged involvement in multiple money laundering schemes.
Last year, Aber helped secure a guilty plea in a corporate espionage case involving Siemens Energy Inc., a U.S. subsidiary of the German conglomerate Siemens Energy AG.
Aber and her office also obtained a guilty plea from an Israeli national for his alleged role in facilitating the illegal entry, harboring and transportation of a noncitizen to the U.S.
What have people said about Jessica Aber?
Attorney General Pam Bondi released a public statement acknowledging Aber’s death on Saturday, calling it “deeply tragic.”
“The loss of Jessica Aber, former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, is deeply tragic. Our hearts and prayers go out to her family and friends during this profoundly difficult time,” Bondi said.
U.S. Attorney Erik Seibert, who currently heads the Eastern District of Virginia, said in a statement that he was “heartbroken beyond words” to learn of Aber’s passing,
“She was unmatched as a leader, mentor, and prosecutor, and she is simply irreplaceable as a human being. We remain in awe of how much she accomplished in her all too brief time in this world. Her professionalism, grace, and legal acumen set the standard,” Seibert said.
District Judge M. Hannah Lauck, who Aber clerked for, said Aber was “brilliant” and a “gold soul.”
“Jess was brilliant, but far more important was her sense for justice, her humanity and her ability to change the world in a positive way even during her brief time with us,” Lauck said. “My clerk family has lost its rock, and I have lost a friend. She was a gold soul and I am proud to have known her.”
Source: independent.co.uk
