Ryan K. Patrick Sworn in as 23rd United States Attorney for the SDTX

HOUSTON – Chief U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal has sworn in Ryan K. Patrick as the 23rd presidentially-appointed United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas (SDTX). He began his duties immediately. As the United States Attorney for the SDTX, Patrick is the chief law enforcement officer responsible for prosecuting and defending the interests of the United States in the seventh largest district in the nation.

Patrick, of Houston, took the oath of office at 8:45 a.m. today before an audience including Judge Rosenthal’s staff, federal court personnel and Assistant U.S. Attorneys and staff. Upon administering the oath, Judge Rosenthal noted his energy, commenting that as soon as receiving his Presidential commission, Patrick called her saying, “I’m ready. When can we do this?”

Information about a possible media availability will be provided at a later date.

President Trump nominated Patrick to serve as U.S. Attorney for this district on Nov. 2, 2017, upon the recommendation of U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz. The full Senate unanimously confirmed his appointment on Dec. 20, 2017.   

Patrick began his a career as an Assistant District Attorney in Harris County. During that time, he was responsible for the prosecution of narcotics trafficking cases and illegal pill mill operations in the Major Offenders Division. 

In 2012, then Texas Governor Rick Perry appointed Patrick to be a judge at the 177th state district court. He was elected to a full four-year-term in 2012.

Prior to his current position, Patrick was in private practice, serving as the managing partner of The Law Office of Ryan Patrick PLLC and senior counsel with HooverSlovacek LLC where he focused on felony criminal defense work.

In swearing Patrick in today, Judge Rosenthal noted the job would not be an easy one, stating that the SDTX is not an easy district. She explained that the SDTX is on the front lines due to geography, time and politics which was never more true than it is now. She further commented that the job is one of the most challenging out there, but told the audience that “he is good to go!”

The SDTX, 7th largest in terms of personnel, typically prosecutes more cases against more defendants than most other USAOs nationwide, representing 43 counties and 8.3 million people and covering 44,000 square miles. This district currently comprises seven U.S. District Court divisions with federal district courts in Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen and Laredo. The United States Attorney's office, headquartered in Houston, has five additional branch offices in Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen, Laredo and Victoria to staff all seven divisions.