BIRMINGHAM – U.S. Attorney Phillip W. Williams Jr. has announced a series of promotions and organizational changes within the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama.The restructuring includes a new National Security Section within the Criminal Division. It also establishes new leadership responsibilities in violent crime, white-collar fraud, litigation, law enforcement coordination, and media operations.

Williams said the changes reflect his confidence in the office’s personnel and his desire to strengthen its focus on national security and homeland defense.

“Strong leadership is essential to the success of any organization,” Williams said. “I am confident these leaders will continue to bring the experience, integrity, and dedication necessary to move our office forward.”

Crosby Remains First Assistant U.S. Attorney

Catherine L. Crosby will remain the First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama.

Crosby has served in that position for the past five months. During that time, she also served as Criminal Division chief and executive assistant U.S. attorney. She spent three months serving as acting U.S. attorney before Williams took office.

As first assistant, Crosby will continue to hold one of the district’s highest-ranking leadership positions.

Williams described establishing a permanent senior leadership team as his first order of business following his confirmation and swearing-in.

Peoples Named Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney

Kristy Peoples has been selected to serve as executive assistant U.S. attorney.

Peoples will supervise employees assigned to the office’s Discovery Center and Law Enforcement Coordination Committee. She will also oversee a newly created media department.

Her duties will include serving as a liaison between the U.S. Attorney’s Office and local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. She will also work with district attorneys throughout Northern Alabama.

Peoples will assist Williams and Crosby with special projects while continuing to maintain a select docket of cases.

Ward Selected to Lead Criminal Division

Jonathan B. Ward has been chosen to serve as chief of the office’s Criminal Division.

The division is expanding with the addition of more assistant U.S. attorneys and the newly created National Security Section. Its structure will also include two senior litigation counsel positions, Asset Forfeiture, and the Victims’ Team.

Brittany Byrd will serve as deputy chief of the Violent Crime Section. Daniel McBrayer will serve as deputy chief of the White-Collar Fraud Section.

Both deputy chiefs will manage paralegals assigned to their sections while continuing to handle cases.

New National Security Section Established

The most significant structural change is the creation of a National Security Section within the Criminal Division.

The section officially took effect Sunday, July 26. Henry Cornelius will serve as its first deputy chief.

Assistant U.S. attorneys assigned to the section will serve as the office’s primary contacts for national security cases.

Williams said he believes the district needs a more concentrated focus on national security and homeland defense issues.

“From day one on the job, I have been impressed with the caliber of personnel in the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” Williams said. “These promotions are well earned.”

Williams said the new section will make the office’s increased national security focus an established part of its organizational structure.

Senior Prosecutors to Provide Mentorship

Will McComb will become the office’s second senior litigation counsel. He will serve alongside Ryan Rummage.

The two senior prosecutors will assist other assistant U.S. attorneys with litigation practices and case strategies. They will also mentor newer prosecutors as the Criminal Division continues to grow.

District Serves More Than 2.8 Million Residents

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama represents the federal government in criminal prosecutions and civil litigation throughout the district.

The Northern District is the largest of Alabama’s three federal judicial districts. It encompasses 31 of the state’s 67 counties and serves more than 2.8 million residents.

The district includes Birmingham and Huntsville, two of Alabama’s most populous cities. Staff members work from the district’s headquarters in Birmingham and its branch office in Huntsville.

Williams serves as the district’s top-ranking federal law enforcement official. He was sworn in as the presidentially appointed and Senate-confirmed U.S. attorney in May.

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