SPOKANE — Grant County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Carlee Bittle has been named a special assistant U.S. attorney for Eastern Washington, according to an announcement from Grant County Prosecutor Kevin McCrae and U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref.

As a SAUSA, Bittle will prosecute cases in both state and federal court, focusing primarily on crimes against children, the announcement said.

“As a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney and a SAUSA, Carlee Bittle will have the ability to rely on both federal and state laws to prosecute those who commit crimes against our children, allowing us to better protect children and achieve justice on behalf of children who are harmed,” McCrae wrote in the announcement.

Both McCrae and Waldref commended Bittle’s commitment and dedication to public service. Bittle has served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Grant County since July of 2017, according to the announcement. She is primarily responsible for the prosecution of Special Assault Unit cases. The SAU prosecutes sex offenses, crimes against children and crimes of domestic violence.

“We will continue to prosecute the area’s most dangerous criminals to the fullest extent,” Waldref wrote. “Today’s announcement should serve as yet another signal to those who victimize children that such crimes will not be tolerated in our communities.”

In the announcement, Bittle expressed her continued desire to protect the most vulnerable in our communities.

“I’m excited to join the U.S. Attorney’s Office, while also continuing my work as a state prosecutor in Grant County,” she wrote in the announcement. “It is an honor to work with the talented state and federal investigators, who devote their careers to protecting young children from physical and sexual abuse. Through combined state and federal efforts, we can make Grant County a safer place to live, work and raise our families.”