First Assistant United States Attorney - Charles C. Calenda

Charles C. Calenda is the First Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island, appointed by Attorney General Todd Blanche, effective April 29, 2026. In his role, he supervises the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Rhode Island, covering the 39 cities and towns within the District.  He previously served as interim United States Attorney from December 29, 2025 through April 28, 2026. 

Mr. Calenda brings extensive litigation experience, particularly in criminal law, to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Prior to his appointment, he served as a Special Assistant Attorney General in the criminal division of the Rhode Island Department of Attorney General, prosecuting thousands of cases between 2006 and 2018. During that time, he was assigned to the Narcotics and Organized Crime Unit, the state Superior Court Gun Court, the Juvenile Prosecution Unit and served as lead trial counsel in courts across the state. Between 2014 and 2016, he was also cross designated as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island while managing the state gun court calendar.

Following his 12 years as a state prosecutor, Mr. Calenda joined the Coventry, RI-based law firm Inman & Tourgee as a trial attorney, focusing on both criminal and civil litigation in Rhode Island state courts and administrative agencies. During his eight years in private practice, Mr. Calenda vigorously advocated for his clients in many high-profile and complex cases, securing favorable verdicts and decisions throughout courts in Rhode Island and eastern Connecticut. During this time, he was also appointed a bail commissioner for the state District Court and elected as a Town Councilor in West Greenwich.

Mr. Calenda graduated from the University of Miami School of Law, earning his J.D. in 2006, and received his Bachelor of Science in Communication from the University of Miami in 2003. He is admitted to the bars of Rhode Island, Connecticut, Nevada, and Florida, as well as the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island.

Mr. Calenda is a Rhode Island native and lives in West Greenwich with his wife and daughter.