WHEELING, W.Va. — The new federal prosecutor for the Northern District of West Virginia is very familiar with the job. Bill Ihlenfeld was confirmed by the U.S. Senate this week.
Ihlenfeld, who resigned his seat in the state Senate, was nominated to the position by President Biden earlier this year, but previously served as the U.S. Attorney in the same office during the Obama administration.
“It’s in my blood. My grandfather was the Ohio County Prosecuting Attorney, my father was the chief assistant prosecuting attorney in Ohio County. I was a prosecutor, state and federal, for nearly two decades. It’s a real passion of mine,” Ihlenfeld said Wednesday on MetroNews “Talkline.”
Ihlenfeld said his passion for the job comes because he knows it’s one where he can make a difference in improving the quality of life in the community. He said one of the top priority is to tackle substance abuse, and not in just the traditional law enforcement way.
“I know from my last go around we made a difference and it’s not just from prosecuting, convicting, and incarcerating people. We have to do those and will continue to do those, but also to use creative approaches to that crises,” he explained.
.@IhlenfeldWV recently became the new U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of WV. Why exactly did he want to get into this position? He explains it all to @HoppyKercheval. WATCH: https://t.co/yCFQ3nm85Y pic.twitter.com/0T6Be8ASxs
— MetroNews (@WVMetroNews) October 6, 2021
Ihlenfeld suggested an alternative drug court had shown great promise in the northern district and he would like other alternatives to prosecution of drug crimes where they are warranted.
But he added the job isn’t limited to drugs. He shared there are a host of problems even northern West Virginia faces just like the rest of the nation.
“Cyber Security, domestic terrorism, protecting our natural resources. All of those help people in our state each and every day,” Ihlenfeld said.
Since resources for federal law enforcement and the U.S. Attorney’s office are limited Ihlenfeld said there needs to be prioritization in the cases pursued. He admitted, sometimes there are cases that go untouched even though they are violations, just because of a lack of manpower and resources. He added however, the number one job will always be public safety.
“You have to make sure you’re addressing the most pressing issue and keep the public safe. At the end of the day, that’s the job, to keep the public safe and make it safer . That’s my job, to enhance public safety, Ihlenfeld said.