Bobby L. Christine, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, announced his resignation from the post in which he has served since Nov. 22, 2017. Christine says he will return to the private practice of law in the Augusta area.
“It has been my distinct honor and privilege to serve the people of the 43 counties of the Southern District as their chief federal prosecutor and law enforcement officer,” Christine says. “I am proud to have worked alongside an unparalleled team of lawyers and staff in assisting our law enforcement partners to make our communities safer.”
Christine was appointed to the position by President Donald Trump, and it is customary for a new presidential administration to make new appointments to positions such as U.S. attorneys.
Law enforcement officers across the state were quick to laud Christine’s service.
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“U.S. Attorney Bobby Christine has done much to reduce violent crime in our Southern Georgia communities. He has served with honor and distinction because at his core, he values faith, honor, family and commitment above all else,” said Arthur D. Peralta, special agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Peralta added that Christin had inspired federal law enforcement officers to excel. “Our mission to reduce violent crime will continue unabated, due in large part to the path that U.S. Attorney Christine has put us on,” he added. “I join all members of the ATF Atlanta Field Division in wishing U.S. Attorney Christine all the best.”
Christine is an Army veteran who served in the Iraq War and has attained the rank of brigadier general in the Army National Guard. Prior to accepting his presidential appointment, Christine was a magistrate judge in Columbia County and served as chief magistrate from 2009 to 2012.
As U.S. Attorney, Christine created the Prosecutor to Prosecutor Program, or P3, a partnership between the U.S. Attorney’s Office, state and local law enforcement, and the 11 state District Attorneys’ offices that cover the Southern District.
The communication program led to a dramatic uptick in arrests and convictions in a broad array of crime across the state.
The Biden administration has yet to announce a replacement for the post.
Meanwhile, Christine says he looks forward to returning to the private sector and being able to spend more time with his wife and children.
Scott Hudson is the Managing Editor of The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
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