Prosecutor Shayla Favor Announces Restructuring of Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office Criminal Divi

Prosecutor Shayla Favor Announces Restructuring of Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office Criminal Division

Posted on 2/25/2025

Defendant:

As Franklin County Prosecutor Shayla Favor marks her seventh week in office, she is implementing a strategic restructuring of the Prosecutor’s Office to strengthen its efficiency, case management, and service to the community.

Effective March 31, the Criminal Division will be divided into two specialized divisions, each with newly created units designed to address crime more effectively.

“These changes will streamline operations, enhance our responsiveness to community needs, and foster a culture of innovation within our office,” said Prosecutor Favor. “By strategically realigning our divisions, we will be better equipped to serve Franklin County with fairness, efficiency, and integrity.”

Newly Structured Divisions and Units

Criminal Division
Led by newly appointed First Assistant Bob Krapenc, an experienced defense attorney, the Criminal Division will focus on prosecuting major offenses and enhancing professional development. The division includes the following units:

Violent Crime Unit (VCU): Led by Chief Counsel Jason Manning, this unit will disrupt patterns of violence by targeting repeat offenders, organized crime elements and the major drivers of violence in the community.
General Felony Unit (GFU): Led by Chief Counsel David Zeyen, this unit is dedicated to investigating, prosecuting and ensuring justice for a wide range of serious offenses, and will handle most felony indictments returned by the grand jury.
Strategic Operations Unit (SOU): Led by Chief Counsel Marla Farbacher, the SOU will focus on enhancing the skills and effectiveness of the office’s assistant prosecuting attorneys (APAs) through continuous professional development, while also providing critical support for litigation and discovery processes.

Strategic Prosecution Division
Led by newly appointed First Assistant Sheryl Prichard, who is currently an APA in the Appeals Unit, the Strategic Prosecution Division will employ data-driven strategies and specialized prosecution techniques to proactively address crime trends. This division includes:

Crime Strategies Unit (CSU): Led by Chief Counsel John Gripshover, the CSU will utilize intelligence gathering and data analytics to identify crime patterns and disrupt emerging threats.
Specialized Prosecution Unit (SPU): Led by Chief Counsel Renee Amlin, the SPU will handle complex cases requiring expertise in specialized legal areas, ensuring high-stakes cases are prosecuted with precision and integrity.
Innovation Unit (IU): Led by Chief Counsel Laurie Arsenault, the IU will develop and implement forward-thinking strategies to address the root causes of crime, emphasizing rehabilitation, diversion, and reintegration.

“I am confident that these changes will shape the future of this office and the Franklin County justice system as a whole,” says Prosecutor Favor. “I’m excited to welcome one new team member and elevate seven current team members who are ready to help execute my vision of creating a more equitable, fair, and efficient justice system.”