U.S. Attorney Will Thompson, a Boone County native, resigns effective immediately

Thompson was born in Charleston and raised in Boone County where he practiced law and was a circuit court judge. He presided over the first family treatment court in West Virginia.

"Serving as the United States Attorney has genuinely been a career highlight,” Thompson said in a statement. “Thinking that a boy who grew up in Boone County, West Virginia, would be able to serve his country in such a prestigious and vital role leaves me in awe."

Thompson said he was most proud of three accomplishments while he was in office:

• A decline in overdose deaths
• A reduction in violent crime and overall crime in the district
• The creation of a review process to ensure there were no evidence issues with cases

The news release said Thompson changed the office's drug enforcement strategy from targeting street-level dealers to mid- and upper-level distributors.

Most recently, Thompson's Operation Smoke and Mirrors caused the seizure of over 400 pounds of methamphetamine and disrupted a drug trafficking organization with connections to the southern border and California.

Thompson's office also had 20 convictions related to COVID-19 benefits fraud.

Thompson has previously said he is proud of the work his office did in prosecuting law enforcement officers who broke the law.

In January, the last of eight defendants was found guilty after a man was assaulted and killed at the Southern Regional Jail.

In December, former Gauley Bridge Police Chief Larry Allen Clay Jr. was sentenced to 25 years in prison for sex trafficking of a minor and other crimes.

Lisa G. Johnston, who has been with the office since 2006, is the acting U.S. attorney. She was also acting U.S. attorney in 2021 before Thompson took office.