Federal jail helps state
fight crime, Meehan says

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

U.S. Attorney Patrick Meehan said criminals understand that prison sentences are usually longer in federal courts than they are in state courts.
Meehan said that knowledge gives his office leverage as it works with local law enforcement agencies, particularly the Philadelphia Police Department and district attorney’s office, to solve crimes.
The partnership has helped authorities solve murders and catch notorious criminals such as Andre Henry, alleged to have robbed banks and fast-food restaurants. In addition, joint investigations led to the capture of four suspects in last December’s robbery of the Wal-Mart at 4640 Roosevelt Blvd.
"We were able to get all the co-conspirators," Meehan said.
Last week, Meehan spoke to members of the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce at the Deer Meadows retirement community, at 8301 Roosevelt Blvd.
Meehan grew up in Cheltenham and is familiar with the Northeast. He often attended dances at St. Jerome, and his wife Carolyn is a graduate of St. Hubert High School.
In 1986, he earned his law degree from Temple University. He worked for U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter and ran campaigns for Specter and former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum. He worked in private practice and, in 1995, was elected district attorney of Delaware County.
After George W. Bush won the 2000 presidential race, he named Meehan as U.S. attorney for eastern Pennsylvania. The Senate did not act on that nomination and many others across the country.
Then, terrorists attacked the U.S. on Sept. 11, 2001. Six days later, Meehan and 11 other nominees from major cities were confirmed.
In the war on terror, Meehan has formed the Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council, a coordinated partnership among federal, state and local law enforcement and emergency responders.
Meehan, who lives in Drexel Hill, supports the Patriot Act because it allows law enforcement to work with intelligence agencies in areas such as monitoring phone calls from suspected overseas terrorists into the United States. He thinks the country needs to employ such proactive tactics.
"We’re protected by two great oceans and two pretty good neighbors, but it’s a new world," he said.
Meehan’s jurisdiction is Philadelphia and its four surrounding counties, along with Lancaster, Berks, Lehigh and Northampton counties. His office includes more than 125 attorneys and 100 support staff.
"I love my job," he said.
The job includes a wide variety of crimes.
Meehan covered many of them in his talk, but interestingly did not mention the public corruption probes that have led to the jailing of former City Councilman Rick Mariano and indictments against state Sen. Vince Fumo and mayoral candidate Milton Street.
One of his other focuses is assaults against children. Half of those crimes are committed by family members, with another 30 percent by individuals such as teachers, coaches and clergy who are close to the victim.
According to Meehan, one in seven children receive a sexual solicitation every year from an Internet predator. A smaller number of youths receive what he calls an "aggressive" solicitation, that is a follow-up phone call or mailing.
The problem, he said, is that the children don’t report the problem.
"Only one in ten will tell anybody else about it," he said.
After his speech, Meehan had a meeting with Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson and other department supervisors at the Police Academy. They planned to implement a strategy to stop crime in some of the city’s most dangerous neighborhoods.
On a related issue, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is teaming with the city on the Youth Violence Reduction Project, an intensive initiative that monitors young people most at risk of killing someone or being killed.
In general, the effort reaches out to black males ages 15 to 24, many of whom are poor, uneducated and from broken homes.
The program is working well, Meehan said, giving much of the credit to Assistant District Attorney John Delaney.
Meehan had a message for young people identified by the justice system as potential violent criminals.
"We’re watching you like a hawk," he said. ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com