FAUSA departs, criminal chief appointed 2nd in command

HOUSTON, TX -- The former criminal chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office has been named First Assistant U.S. Attorney (FAUSA), announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

Jennifer Lowery has been serving the office as criminal chief for the past three years under Patrick’s administration.

“Jennifer has served in influential positions throughout our office and the Department,” said Patrick. “Her experience has prepared her for this new role and I know she will be successful. She knows 2021 will be a very busy and challenging year for the office as operations eventually get back to normal.”

Lowery joined the Southern District of Texas (SDTX) in 2008, but has been with the Department of Justice since 2000. She first served as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney and then an Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) in the Eastern District of Texas. During this time, she was detailed to Washington D.C. and New York, New York, as a hearing officer for the 9/11 Victims’ Compensation Fund. She later worked in Washington D.C. in the Office of the Deputy Attorney General and Executive Office for US Attorneys in both their Counsel to Director’s Office and General Counsel’s Office.

While with the Southern District of Texas (SDTX), Lowery has served as an AUSA in the Major Offenders, Fraud and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Sections. She has also held the titles of Executive AUSA, deputy criminal chief of the Program Fraud Section, acting deputy criminal chief of the Major Fraud Section, senior litigation counsel and ethics advisor.

Lowery’s advancement comes as former FAUSA Tim Braley exists the office for a position in private practice. Braley served the SDTX for 17 years.

“Tim has been by my side since I was sworn in,” said Patrick. “There is nothing that has been accomplished or done for the benefit of the office without his input and advice. I know Tim will successful in his next chapter and he leaves the office with the gratitude of hundreds of colleagues. While I may be losing a trusted counselor, I am not losing a friend.”

Braley began his career with the SDTX in 2003, spending the majority of his tenure as an AUSA in OCDETF. In 2012, he became the deputy criminal chief of the Narcotics Enforcement/OCDETF Section and named chief of the Criminal Division in 2017. He served as Patrick’s FAUSA since January 2018.

The SDTX has the busiest criminal docket in the country. Prosecuting more cases against more defendants than most other USAOs nationwide, the SDTX represents 43 counties and nearly nine million people and covers 44,000 square miles. More than 200 attorneys and 500 total staff cover seven offices across the district.