CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The US Attorney for the Western District is cracking down on crime on the Charlotte Area Transit System. US Attorney Russ Ferguson says charging offenders federally could mean stiffer penalties if convicted. “There’s no parole, and people get much longer sentences in feder al court,” Attorney Ferguson said. “So really, we’re just taking the worst of the worst out of our public transit system and making sure they’re not on the train, not on the bus, not on the street.” Most recently his office charged Oscar Solarzano with violence against a mass transportation system. Authorities say Solarzano stabbed a man with a 12 inch knife on the light rail December 5th. DeCarlos Brown is facing one count of violence on a mass transportation system after he’s accused of brutally killing Iryna Zarutska on the blue line August 22nd. Federal authorities took Brown into custody last week hoping to get him in front of a federal judge faster. “We wanted to send a message about light rail and public transit early and so I think it’s important to get results and get federal results,” Attorney Ferguson said. Ferguson says repeat offenders crowding the dockets often means justice delayed. “Part of the reason that it’s taking so long to get trial in state court is because it’s the same defendants showing up with more crimes crowding the docket there and crowding the DA’s workload,” Ferguson said. He says he will use his power to prosecute anyone who fits the criteria. His office has the authority to pursue charges against anyone who commits violence on trains or buses. He can also prosecute convicted felons or people accused of crimes across state lines. “We are very concerned about all public transit,” Ferguson said. “If something happens on the bus or if something previous we find out about, or we can bring a federal charge, we will absolutely do it.” The charges Oscar Solarzano and DeCarlos brown are facing carry a life sentence in addition to their local charges. Brown will go through a mental evaluation to decide if he is competent to stand trial. Officials say that will likely happen before the end of January. ...read more read less