ST. CROIX — This afternoon, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Wilma A. Lewis administered the oath of office to United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert at the Almeric L. Christian Federal Courthouse on St. Croix, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Ms. Shappert was appointed by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions to serve as the Interim United States Attorney, effective on January 5, 2018 for a term of 120 days.
Following today’s oath, Ms. Shappert became the court-appointed United States Attorney, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 546(d), effective May 5, 2018.
“It is a tremendous privilege and honor to serve as the United States Attorney in the Virgin Islands,” Ms. Shappert said. “I am committed to upholding the Constitution and the laws of the United States.”
Ms. Shappert stressed her dedication to the priorities of the Attorney General, including apprehending and prosecuting violent offenders and drug traffickers, and working with federal and territorial law enforcement to enhance public safety.
Prior to her appointment in the Virgin Islands, Ms. Shappert served as the Assistant Director for the Indian, Violent and Cyber Crime Staff in the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA) of the Department of Justice. Before joining EOUSA, she served as the United States Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina from 2004-2009 and as an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) from 1990-2004. As the United States Attorney and as an AUSA, she prosecuted a wide range of criminal defendants including outlaw motorcycle gangs and violent drug organizations.
Ms. Shappert also served as an Assistant District Attorney, an Assistant Public Defender, and in private practice prior to her federal service. She received her B.A. from Duke University in 1977 and her J.D. from Washington & Lee University School of Law in 1980.
Tags: U.S. Virgin Islands