Peter D. Leary, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, has announced his resignation. This will lead to a change in leadership for the office responsible for prosecuting federal crimes across a large area of Georgia, according to the U.S. Attorney Office.

On Saturday, Leary will leave his role as U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia to join an Atlanta law firm, ending a career in the federal legal system that began in 2007. He became U.S. Attorney in 2012 and led efforts against transnational crime, arms trafficking, and child exploitation. In his farewell statement, he said, "Every day the men and women of this office stand shoulder to shoulder with federal, state and local law enforcement partners to advance safety and promote justice," as stated by the U.S. Attorney Office.

Leary led key efforts, including prosecuting a street gang in Columbus, defending religious rights in Macon, and supporting the Macon Violence Prevention program, which reduced homicides. He also added a full-time Civil Rights investigator. Shanelle Booker, the First Assistant U.S. Attorney, will take over as Acting U.S. Attorney, overseeing an office that serves 2 million Georgians across 70 counties and handles issues like terrorism, public corruption, and narcotics, as reported by the U.S. Attorney Office.