AP: US attorney for West Tennessee resigning in late February

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The U.S. attorney for West Tennessee has announced his resignation.

D. Michael Dunavant said in a statement Wednesday that he is stepping down effective Feb. 28. An appointee of former President Donald Trump, the move opens the door for President Joe Biden to appoint a replacement.

Such resignations by U.S. attorneys after the president who appointed them leaves office is not unusual. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Murphy will serve as acting U.S. attorney until a permanent appointment is made.

A former state district attorney, Dunavant began his term as U.S. attorney in September 2017. He prosecuted federal crimes in 22 counties in the Western District of Tennessee, which includes the cities of Memphis and Jackson.

Dunavant was aggressive in prosecuting offenses such as drug trafficking, illegal prescription pill sales, public corruption and gang-related crime. He called his stint at U.S. attorney “the professional honor of a lifetime.”

Photo Courtesy: US Attorney’s Office, Western District of Tennessee