Gregg N. Sofer Is Sworn In as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas

Gregg N. Sofer is officially the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas.  He was sworn in by Chief U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia this morning at the federal courthouse in San Antonio. 

Attorney General William P. Barr appointed Mr. Sofer to the position effective October 10, 2020.

“The Western District of Texas is one of the largest, busiest, and most diverse districts in the United States.  Every day, the women and men of the U.S. Attorney’s Office diligently work to protect our communities, prosecute the criminals who prey upon the weak and vulnerable, defend the interests of the United States, and safeguard the rights of the people who live in the 68 counties we serve.  In my 29 years of public service, I have worked to seek justice for crime victims and bring accountability to those who place their interests over those of society.  It is an honor and a privilege to continue this mission alongside the Assistant U.S. Attorneys, support personnel, law enforcement officers, judges, and court staff that make this district so great,” said U.S. Attorney Sofer. 

As U.S. Attorney, Mr. Sofer is the chief federal law enforcement officer in the Western District of Texas.  He is responsible for prosecuting violations of federal law and representing the federal government in civil litigation where the United States is a party. 

The Western District of Texas spans approximately 93,000 square miles, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office employs more than 300 people.  The headquarters are in San Antonio with staffed offices in Austin, El Paso, Midland, Del Rio, Waco, and Alpine.

Prior to his appointment, Mr. Sofer served as Counselor to the Attorney General of the United States where he handled criminal and national security matters as well as crisis response.  Before going to Main Justice, he served for 12 years in the Austin Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas.  As an Assistant U.S. Attorney and accomplished litigator, he handled national security, fraud, violent crime, and corruption cases, among others.  His last trial in Austin was a RICO prosecution that resulted in a life sentence without parole for a man who attempted to assassinate a state court judge as she sat in her car with her family.  Some of Mr. Sofer’s other notable prosecutions include that of an individual who was planning to fight for ISIS overseas; a defendant who built a bomb intending to kill soldiers at Ft. Hood; the former Jarrell Police Chief who was involved in a bribery scheme where he fraudulently provided illegal aliens with immigration benefits; and a money laundering conspiracy involving the owner of several Austin nightclubs. In 2018, Mr. Sofer was promoted to Chief of the Criminal Division.  In that role, he was responsible for the supervision of over 120 Assistant U.S. Attorneys and all aspects of the district’s criminal practice.  

From 2003 to 2007, Mr. Sofer was a trial attorney in the National Security Division at Main Justice where he led the investigation and prosecution of international terrorism cases.  He also served as the Director of the Office of Justice for Victims of Overseas Terrorism and Director of the National Gang Targeting Enforcement and Coordination Center.

Mr. Sofer started his legal career in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.  Among a wide variety of cases, he prosecuted violent gang, murder and firearms trafficking cases for over 11 years, distinguishing himself as a skilled trial lawyer, indefatigable investigator, and fierce advocate for justice. Mr. Sofer earned his J.D. from New York University School of Law and his B.A. from Rutgers University.

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The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.