Ohio has a new chief federal law enforcement officer. Dominick S. Gerace II was sworn in today as United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio. The ceremony, held in Cincinnati, saw U.S. District Judge Matthew W. McFarland administering the oath of office. Gerace's interim appointment was made possible through U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi's selection, as reported by the U.S. Department of Justice's official release.
While his formal arrival at the helm is recent, the wheels have been in motion since July, when President Donald J. Trump put forward his nomination for Gerace to take up the prestigious role. His confirmation, however, is still to be deliberated upon in the United States Senate. The new U.S. Attorney is expected to quickly dive into his work, leading a team of some 100 staffers spread across the Columbus, Cincinnati, and Dayton offices. His duties include spearheading all federal criminal and civil litigation within a district that is home to over five million people.
Gerace brings with him a wealth of experience, having served in the federal prosecutor's office for nearly a decade. He's tackled high-stakes cases that range from national security threats and international terrorism to drug trafficking and white-collar crimes. According to a statement obtained by the U.S. Department of Justice, Gerace said, "It is the honor of my lifetime to serve the people of Southern Ohio as United States Attorney, and I look forward to working closely with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to protect our communities and uphold the rule of law."
The Southern District of Ohio's new head honcho isn't just any legal mind; his credentials are impressive. After graduating magna cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center, Gerace served as Editor-in-Chief of The Georgetown Law Journal’s Annual Review of Criminal Procedure. He also has military roots, evidenced by an undergraduate degree in economics from the United States Military Academy and a background serving as a tank platoon leader and company executive officer in the United States Army. Prior to stepping into his new role, Gerace was on the partner track at the law firm Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, sharpening his skills in white-collar defense and civil litigation.
The Justice Department made a point to highlight Gerace's laurels, notably his receipt of the Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Furthering the Interests of U.S. National Security. This recognition was linked to his involvement in the case stemming from the August 2019 Dayton mass shooting. More than just an enforcer, he comes across as an individual deeply invested in the fabric of justice—a sentiment echoed by the regional praise he's received for his contribution to trial work in terrorism cases.
