United States Attorney Sandra J. Hairston has announced her resignation from the position as head of the United States Attorney’s Office in the Middle District of North Carolina, effective January 18, 2025. This decision marks the end of her federal service career.
"Serving this district as United States Attorney and as an Assistant United States Attorney has been the honor of my life," Hairston stated. She quoted Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., saying, "The time is always right to do what is right," and expressed confidence that she contributed positively to community safety and justice during her tenure.
Hairston began her career with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the MDNC in 1990, holding various positions including Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division and Lead Task Force Attorney in the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Section. She also served as Professional Responsibility Officer, Ethics Advisor, and Criminal Discovery Coordinator.
From April 1994 to June 1996, Hairston was Chief of the Criminal Division in the Eastern District of North Carolina's U.S. Attorney’s Office. She became First Assistant U.S. Attorney for MDNC in April 2014 until November 2021 when she was sworn in as United States Attorney.
During her tenure, notable achievements include expanding Project Safe Neighborhoods to tackle juvenile crime through community engagement and strategic enforcement efforts, planning re-entry simulations to aid inmate assimilation into society, and integrating ballistics information networks with local police departments to address gun crime incidents.
Under Hairston's leadership, significant reductions in violent crime were achieved through initiatives like the Violent Impact Player case screening model. Other accomplishments included prosecuting high-profile cases involving civil rights violations and organized crime conspiracies.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall Galyon will assume duties as acting U.S. Attorney following Hairston's departure.