SPOKANE, WA – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington and the City of Spokane have announced the appointment of a Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA) to target drug trafficking in Spokane.

Annika Tangvald, a former Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Spokane County, was sworn in on May 19 and will focus on prosecuting federal drug-related cases impacting the city. The position was jointly created through a collaboration between federal and city authorities and approved by the Spokane City Council in late 2024.

Acting U.S. Attorney Rich Barker emphasized the need for the new position amid growing concerns over the spread of fentanyl and other illicit drugs. “Having a dedicated prosecutor for these cases allows the U.S. Attorney’s Office to bring more cases specifically focused on the City of Spokane,” Barker said. “SAUSA Tangvald…will ensure those who distribute large amounts of drugs into the Spokane community are held responsible.”

Spokane City Prosecutor Justin Bingham and Mayor Lisa Brown echoed support for the initiative. “Partnering with the U.S. Attorney’s Office will greatly strengthen our current efforts,” Bingham stated, while Brown called the appointment “a vital step forward in our fight against the opioid crisis.”

Tangvald, a Spokane native and Gonzaga University School of Law graduate, previously served as a law clerk in the U.S. Attorney’s Office before joining the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office in 2023. “Becoming a federal prosecutor has been a dream of mine,” she said. “I look forward to working with the City and with the United States Attorney’s Office to improve public safety in the city I love.”

The appointment marks a continued effort by federal and local agencies to curb drug distribution and related crimes in the region. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, which oversees 20 counties east of the Cascade Mountains, operates offices in Spokane, Richland, and Yakima.