WASHINGTON – Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch announced today the appointments of John W. Huber, U.S. Attorney for the District of Utah, and Peter F. Neronha, U.S. Attorney for the District of Rhode Island, to the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC), effective immediately.
“The Attorney General’s Advisory Committee plays a crucial role in shaping the Justice Department’s approach to fighting crime, countering national security threats and securing equal justice under the law and I am pleased to welcome two new members to its ranks,” said Attorney General Lynch. “U.S. Attorneys John Huber and Peter Neronha have spent their careers tackling some of the most high-profile and difficult challenges we face, from political corruption and terrorism to gun violence and organized crime. I have come to know them both as outstanding law enforcement officers and devoted public servants and I look forward to drawing upon their insight and expertise in the months to come as we continue our work to create a stronger, safer, and more equal nation for all Americans.”
U.S. Attorney Huber will fill the seat vacated by former U.S. Attorney for the District of Kansas, Barry Grissom, who resigned on April 15.
U.S. Attorney Neronha will fill the seat vacated by former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, Steven Dettelbach, who resigned on Feb. 5.
U.S. Attorney Huber was nominated by President Barack Obama on Feb. 4, 2015, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on June 10, 2015, as U.S. Attorney for Utah. Prior to confirmation as the U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney Huber prosecuted a number of high profile federal cases and coordinated task forces that focused on violent crime and counter-terrorism. He also served as chief of the National Security Section in the U.S. Attorney’s Office before being asked to serve as the Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney, a member of the office’s executive management team.
Mr. Huber is a veteran public servant who has served as a prosecutor at every trial court level in the State of Utah. After graduating with honors from the University of Utah, Mr. Huber went on to complete his juris doctor degree at the University of Utah’s S.J. Quinney College of Law. He began his prosecution career in the Weber County Attorney’s Office, and later served as the Chief Prosecutor for West Valley City before joining the United States Attorney’s Office in 2002.
U.S. Attorney Neronha was nominated by President Barack Obama on July 31, 2009, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Sept. 15, 2009, as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Rhode Island. In 2002, U.S. Attorney Neronha joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island. As an Assistant U.S. Attorney, he prosecuted criminal cases involving political corruption, white collar crime, drug and firearm offenses. When he joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office, he was named coordinator of the District’s Project Safe Neighborhoods, a Department of Justice initiative against gun crimes. Prior to being named U.S. Attorney, he was Chief of the District’s Organized Crime Strike Force. U.S. Attorney Neronha previously served on the AGAC during 2009-2011.
The AGAC was created in 1973 to serve as the voice of the U.S. Attorneys and to advise the attorney general on policy, management and operational issues impacting the offices of the U.S. Attorneys.