WHEELING, W.Va. — Bill Powell, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia, announced his resignation Wednesday.
Powell, who was named to the position shortly after the 2016 election of Donald Trump, will step down at midnight on Feb. 28.
Powell’s move comes after the U.S. Department of Justice asked for the resignations of all but two Trump appointees. It’s not unusual for a new administration to seek the resignations of federal prosecutors appointed by the previous president.
Powell called serving as U.S. Attorney was a great professional honor to serve with “the dedicated men and women in the Northern District of West Virginia.”
“It was that dedication along with their hard work that the districts’ successes were possible,” he said. “I believe this district serves as an example of consistency, fairness and effectiveness. I always did my best to serve justice and to do so in an impartial manner. I will miss serving in this position more than words can express, and I wish great success to whoever is appointed as the new US Attorney,” Powell said.
Powell dealt with several high-profile cases during his four years in the position including the conviction of Reta Mays in connection with murders of veterans at the Clarksburg VA Hospital. Mays is scheduled to be sentenced later this year.
According to a news release from Powell’s office, under his tenure the number of defendants charged has increased by 50% with a 90% conviction rate.
Powell has not indicated what he’ll do next.
The DOJ also asked southern district U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart to resign. As of noon Wednesday, there had been no announcement from Stuart’s office.