William S. Thompson U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia
Will Thompson has concluded his service as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia, effective immediately. Reflecting on his tenure, Thompson stated, “Serving as the United States Attorney has genuinely been a career highlight,” and expressed pride in his office's work and its strengthened relationships with law enforcement partners.
Nominated by President Joseph R. Biden Jr. on August 10, 2021, and confirmed by the Senate on October 5, 2021, Thompson led an office comprising 34 attorneys and 41 non-attorney personnel across Charleston, Huntington, and Beckley. He acknowledged former Senator Joe Manchin’s role in securing his nomination and appreciated the support from both Manchin and Senator Shelley Moore Capito during his confirmation process.
Thompson commended his team for their dedication to federal prosecution in the district. “The people of this office are the true backbone of federal prosecution and representation in this district,” he said.
Among Thompson’s achievements was a significant decline in overdose deaths due to a strategic shift targeting mid- and upper-level drug distributors rather than street-level dealers. His office disrupted fentanyl supply chains from China and methamphetamine from Mexican cartels while promoting prevention and treatment opportunities.
Thompson also reported reductions in violent crime through improved communications with law enforcement partners and securing federal grants to enhance resources. He emphasized that most crimes were linked to drug trade activities.
Another key accomplishment was implementing a rigorous review process for cases to address evidentiary issues effectively. This involved closer collaboration with law enforcement officers throughout the district.
Under Thompson’s leadership, notable operations included Operation Smoke and Mirrors which dismantled a high-volume drug trafficking organization (DTO) resulting in significant seizures of methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, firearms, and cash.
The office prosecuted various cases involving narcotics distribution, sex trafficking, child pornography production, excessive force by police officers, firearms trafficking schemes connected to violent offenses including homicides in Philadelphia, bankruptcy frauds resulting in substantial restitution orders among others.
Thompson personally participated in prosecuting civil rights violations by correctional officers leading to convictions related to an inmate's death at Southern Regional Jail. He maintained zero tolerance for officers violating civil rights despite respecting law enforcement roles generally.
His tenure also saw successful prosecutions related to COVID-19 benefits fraud with restitution exceeding $1 million; investment fraud schemes causing losses up between $395k-$434k; mail fraud conspiracies defrauding Boone County Board Education out approximately $3m amongst other indictments still pending trial outcomes due legal presumptions innocence until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt court law
Before becoming U.S Attorney Thompson served Circuit Court Judge West Virginia presiding over several treatment courts focusing family matters practicing Cook Law Firm Boone County previously held executive roles Madison Healthcare Inc Danville Lumber Company holds degrees Civil Engineering Law West Virginia University
A copy press release available online U.S Attorneys Office Southern District WV website
