Lafayette, LA – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, Brandon B. Brown, has announced his resignation, which will take effect on January 20, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Brown, who was nominated by President Joe Biden in November 2021 and confirmed by the Senate in December 2021, has led the district’s efforts to tackle federal crimes, including violent offenses, drug trafficking, white-collar crime, and civil rights violations.
During his tenure, Brown was responsible for overseeing an office of approximately 90 prosecutors and staff, handling criminal and civil cases in the Western District of Louisiana. The district, which includes 42 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes, covers two-thirds of the state. As U.S. Attorney, Brown worked on some of the district’s most high-profile cases, securing significant convictions and spearheading initiatives aimed at reducing violent crime.
In his statement, Brown expressed gratitude for his time in office, stating, “It has been the honor of a lifetime and the pinnacle of my career to serve the American people and the citizens of the Western District of Louisiana for 12 years, with the last 3 being the U.S. Attorney. I thank President Biden for nominating me, Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy for their constant and unwavering support, and Attorney General Merrick Garland for his vision and guidance during my tenure.”
Under Brown’s leadership, the office made substantial progress in combating crime. One of his key initiatives was addressing the rising levels of violent crime in Louisiana, particularly in Shreveport and Monroe. Brown’s office led successful prosecutions related to firearms offenses, drug trafficking, and public corruption, with notable declines in violent crime rates in 2023 and 2024.
Brown also made significant strides in civil rights, including a joint investigation into the Louisiana State Police for alleged discriminatory policing practices. Additionally, his office played a central role in prosecuting cases involving human trafficking and child exploitation. Noteworthy cases included the convictions of individuals involved in sex trafficking, child pornography, and a range of violent crimes.
In addition to his work in criminal law, Brown was an active participant in the broader Department of Justice community. He was selected by Attorney General Merrick Garland to serve on the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC), where he contributed to the creation of department-wide policies and served on subcommittees focused on white-collar crime, violent crime, and civil rights. He was also appointed to the Resource Allocation Working Group, which advises the department on personnel resource allocation across U.S. Attorneys’ Offices.
Brown’s tenure also saw increased collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Through his efforts, the office successfully coordinated a number of initiatives to combat firearm-related violence, drug trafficking, and gang activity. His office also worked closely with local communities, including organizing outreach programs such as the “Focusing on the Future” community advisory group, which advised on strategies to prevent violent crime.
Before being confirmed as U.S. Attorney, Brown had an extensive career in law, beginning as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in 2012. He also served as the district’s Project Safe Neighborhoods Coordinator, a role that involved leading task forces focused on investigating and prosecuting violent crime organizations.
Upon his resignation, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook, a 25-year veteran of the office, will serve as Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana until a permanent successor is nominated by President Biden and confirmed by the Senate.