MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota’s new chief federal prosecutor said Wednesday he’s launching initiatives to combat human trafficking, heroin, fraud, violent crime and identity theft, and he’s already reaching out to local authorities statewide for their ideas.

It’s an ambitious agenda for U.S. Attorney Andy Luger, who was sworn in Feb. 14. He filled a post last held by B. Todd Jones, who juggled dual roles for two years as U.S. attorney in Minneapolis and acting head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Washington, until the Senate finally confirmed him as director last July. Jones’ critics, including a former head of the Minneapolis FBI office, complained that he was reluctant to prosecute violent gang, drug and gun crimes, leaving the problems to local authorities to solve — a charge Jones’ supporters disputed.

Luger had only praise for Jones. “He was asked to do two very difficult jobs at the same time, and he did them extremely well,” he said.

But Luger said in an interview with The Associated Press that he prepared himself to assume the job by seeking out the opinions of law enforcement leaders from across Minnesota, and a wide variety of other people, who helped inform his vision for the office.

Luger, 54, served as an assistant U.S. attorney in New York and Minnesota from 1989 to 1995 before going into private practice. He said his plan for a renewed emphasis on human trafficking is one initiative that came from his dialogue with law enforcement.