Nevada U.S. Attorney Nicholas Trutanich
LAS VEGAS — The U.S. attorney in Nevada announced Tuesday he will resign Feb. 28, as prosecutors appointed by Republican former President Donald Trump leave to make way for appointments by Democratic President Joe Biden.
Nicholas Trutanich declined to comment beyond a statement that called serving as the top federal prosecutor in Las Vegas and Reno "more than I could have ever imagined," and the honor of his lifetime.
Trutanich is a former top aide to then-Republican Nevada state Attorney General Adam Laxalt and previously served as a prosecutor in the U.S. attorney's office in the Central District of California surrounding Los Angeles.
He was sworn as U.S. attorney in Nevada in January 2019, replacing Daniel Bogden, who served under Trump and President Barack Obama. The office has more than 120 employees responsible for federal criminal prosecutions and civil litigation.
Trutanich noted efforts to prosecute human trafficking, narcotics and racketeering cases and said he aimed for "targeted, impactful prosecutions and to promote ethics, diversity, and crime prevention."
He also pointed to an emphasis on prosecuting crimes on Indian reservations and colonies, particularly violence against Native American women.
Nevada Democratic U.S. Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen are expected to help recommend a nominee to Biden.
