Dummermuth steps down as U.S. Attorney

Saying that the past three years have been “an honor” and “a wonderful privilege,” the man tasked with leading the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa resigned Tuesday so that the office could be led by Stephanie Rose, an office veteran and career prosecutor who was recently confirmed by the U.S. Senate as his replacement.

Matt M. Dummermuth

Matt Dummermuth, who was recommended for the post by U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, began serving as U.S. Attorney on Jan. 30, 2007. He succeeded Chuck Larson, Sr., who retired in December 2006, and Judy Whetstine, who served immediately following Larson’s departure, but soon also announced her own retirement.

“It has been a rewarding challenge to seek justice each day in each case for every defendant, every victim, and every member of the public,” Dummermuth said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to pursue justice and uphold the rule of law. It has been a wonderful privilege to serve and protect the people of Iowa.”

During his tenure as U.S. Attorney, Dummermuth, who is a native of Elgin, served on two national groups that advise the U.S. Attorney General — the Terrorism and National Security Subcommittee and the Child Exploitation Working Group of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee. These subcommittees mirrored two initiatives within the Northern District Office that Dummermuth considered to be top priorities. He led an anti-terrorism effort within his office and closely coordinated with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement agencies. The office also enhanced information flow with, and provided international and domestic terrorism training to, law enforcement at all levels.

Dummermuth is also credited with implementing a strong prosecution and prevention strategy for child exploitation crimes. The office has charged and convicted record numbers of defendants for child pornography production, distribution and possession as well as for enticement and travel-related child exploitation crimes. In addition to obtaining lengthy sentences in many of the cases, including 100 years for one such individual, Dummermuth spearheaded two Internet safety initiatives, and often traveled himself to present safety information to area middle school students.

Although his office will be known for these and the traditional drug trafficking, firearm and other violent offenses that are the standard within all U.S. Attorney Offices, he will always be best known for his role in the prosecution of more than 300 immigrant workers from the Agriprocessors meatpacking plant in Postville. Dummermuth led the worksite enforcement prosecution effort following the arrest of 389 plant workers. Under his direction the office prosecuted 305 of the workers for immigration and identity theft-related charges within days of their detention in a highly controversial process that quickly became known as “fast-tracking.”

Nearly a year following the May 2008 raid in Postville and subsequent guilty pleas, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that undocumented immigrants could not be charged with aggravated identity theft without proof that they had knowingly used another person’s documents. Although the decision did not address the situation that followed Postville, it did effectively end what many feared was becoming an unfair government tactic.

In addition to the immigrant workers, eight other management, administrative and supervisory employees at Agriprocessors — including the chief financial officer, controller, and human resources manager — pleaded guilty to bank fraud, harboring, or document fraud charges. Just earlier this month, a jury in South Dakota found Sholom Rubashkin, day-to-day manager at the plant and son of the company founder, guilty on 86 of a possible 91 charges ranging from fraud to money laundering.

Although Dummermuth was recommended by Grassley and later nominated by Pres. George W. Bush, he never faced U.S. Senate confirmation. He and his wife, Rebecca, are expecting their third child. He said that he has no immediate professional plans for the future, and that he plans to spend additional time with his family and working on his parents’ farm before making any decisions.