Kathleen M. Tafoya, described as a tough prosecutor who put several members of the Rolling 30s Crips behind bars, was named a federal magistrate judge on Tuesday.
Tafoya is a graduate of the University of Colorado School of Law and spent 17 years as a federal prosecutor.
She is most recently credited for leading the crack-cocaine conspiracy case against the Rolling 30s Crips, the largest gang roundup in state history.
“This is the first time in modern times that a federal magistrate has come from the criminal part of our office to that bench,” U.S. Attorney Troy Eid said. “I am pleased about that and I am just very excited for her.”
Tafoya must still undergo an FBI and IRS background check — a process that takes up to 120 days — before she moves to the new position, U.S. District Court officials said.
Eid said he does not expect Tafoya’s departure to jeopardize the progress of the Rolling 30s case.
From the beginning, Tafoya,along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Podolak and other prosecutors, supervised the case, Eid said.
“We have the same leadership through Stephanie and we will work very hard to continue what we have been doing,” Eid said.
Walter Gerash, who represents Brian Hicks, named as one of the Crips’ leaders in court documents, said he was pleased to hear Tafoya was promoted to the bench.
“I think the more women and minorities we have on the bench, the better it is,” Gerash said. “She also has experience in criminal law. Hopefully she’ll remember the other side too.”
Tafoya has been honored with special commendations from the FBI, twice receiving both the Director’s Award and the Drug Enforcement Administration’s special achievement award. She also has received commendations from the Department of Health and Human Services, and twice won the Inspector General’s Integrity Award.
Tafoya is also credited with the 2005 prosecution of the Gallant Knights Insane gang on drug charges. That case was similar in size to the Rolling 30s investigation and involved a number of local law enforcement agencies and the use of wiretaps.
Tafoya has used her experience with wiretaps in training other prosecutors around the country, Eid said.
“I don’t think there is a more knowledgeable person on wiretaps,” Eid said. “She played a very extraordinary national role.”
