William R. Keyes was sworn in as the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia today. The oath was administered by Chief U.S. District Judge Leslie Abrams Gardner at the C.B. King United States Courthouse in Albany, Georgia.
Keyes expressed gratitude for his appointment, stating, “It is a tremendous honor to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, and I am incredibly grateful that President Trump and Attorney General Bondi have placed their trust in me.” He emphasized his commitment to working with law enforcement partners to protect communities and uphold the rule of law.
As U.S. Attorney, Keyes will oversee federal law enforcement efforts across 70 counties in Georgia, including major cities such as Albany, Athens, Columbus, Macon, and Valdosta. His office is tasked with prosecuting federal crimes like terrorism, public corruption, child exploitation, fraud, firearms offenses, illegal gangs activities and narcotics-related crimes. The office also handles civil cases involving the United States and collects debts owed to it.
Keyes has been part of the Department of Justice since 2018 as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the same district where he prosecuted various federal criminal cases including drug trafficking organizations and violent crime. He has held several leadership roles within the office such as Project Safe Neighborhood Coordinator and Deputy Criminal Chief.
Prior to joining the Department of Justice, Keyes served on active duty in the U.S. Army where he worked with military commissions prosecuting alleged Al-Qaeda members at Guantanamo Bay and provided legal advice during Operation Inherent Resolve from Camp Arifjan in Kuwait.
In addition to his role as U.S. Attorney, Keyes serves as a Judge Advocate in the U.S. Army Reserve providing humanitarian law instruction internationally and has received military awards like the Joint Service Commendation Medal.
He holds four degrees from the University of Georgia including a law degree and remains actively involved with its alumni board for business school matters.
Keyes succeeds C. Shanelle Booker who had been serving as Acting U.S. Attorney since January but will continue her role as First Assistant U.S. Attorney (FAUSA). Keyes praised Booker’s leadership saying she did “an incredible job serving our District.”
The Middle District of Georgia's U.S. Attorney's Office is one among 94 offices under direction from the Attorney General serving nationwide litigation needs.
For more information about this office visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdga
