Former U.S. Attorney Peter McCoy

Former US Attorney Peter McCoy

Peter M. McCoy became the United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina on March 30, 2020. As U.S. Attorney, McCoy is the chief federal law enforcement officer responsible for federal criminal prosecutions and civil litigation involving the United States in the District of South Carolina. He supervises an office of approximately 62 Assistant United States Attorneys, 75 support staff, and 18 contract support staff, all of whom are responsible for prosecuting federal crimes affecting the district, including narcotics and firearms cases, gang violence, human trafficking, white-collar crime, securities fraud, public corruption, terrorism, and civil rights violations. The office also defends the United States in civil cases and collects debts owed to the United States. The Civil, Criminal, Appellate, and Administrative Divisions of the U.S. Attorney’s Office span the District’s headquarters office in Columbia, and its three staffed branch offices in Charleston, Florence, and Greenville.

Upon his swearing in, United States Attorney General William P. Barr lauded McCoy’s qualifications for the appointment. “Peter’s extensive legal and prosecutorial experience, and strong commitment to public safety and the rule of law will make him an able leader of this office,” said Barr. “Peter has been a fierce advocate for the rights of children and strict accountability for sex offenders and other violent criminals.  He will make an outstanding U.S. Attorney for the people of South Carolina.”

Before becoming U.S. Attorney, McCoy was a partner at McCoy and Stokes Law Firm. McCoy also served as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives and focused his legislative work on protecting children and keeping neighborhoods safe.

A Charleston, S.C., resident and graduate of Hampden-Sydney College and Regent University Law School, McCoy spent more than five years as a criminal prosecutor in the Ninth Circuit Solicitor’s Office, handling thousands of crimes involving violence, guns, and drugs. As a legislator, McCoy was the lead sponsor of legislation requiring the mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse as well as legislation establishing a mandatory minimum sentence for anyone who commits a crime while out on bond. He worked to pass statutes that ensure violent repeat criminal offenders do not remain out on bond if they continue to commit crimes.

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