Fed prosecutor in Ohio: More crimes need attention

COLUMBUS (AP) — A new federal prosecutor in Ohio says it’s time to move some crime-fighting resources to areas other than terrorism now that eight years have passed since the 9/11 attacks.

U.S. Attorney Carter Stewart says terrorism will remain his office’s top priority, but his office will re-emphasize prosecution of financial crime, public corruption and child exploitation.

Stewart says the shift of resources to fighting terrorism was understandable after 9/11 because of the nature of the attacks.

But he says so many federal agents and prosecutors were devoted to terrorism that fewer of what he calls the bread-and butter cases were pursued.

Stewart says there’s a balancing act in keeping terrorism the top priority while looking for ways to refocus attention on other crimes.