United States Attorney Dena J. King has announced her departure from her role as the chief law enforcement officer for the Western District of North Carolina, effective immediately. King expressed gratitude for her time in office, stating, “It has been a tremendous honor to serve the people of the Western District of North Carolina.”
King made history as the first person of color appointed to this position in the district. She was nominated by President Joseph R. Biden Jr. on September 28, 2021, confirmed by the Senate on November 19, 2021, and officially sworn in on November 29, 2021.
During her tenure, King led an office with nearly 100 federal prosecutors and support staff across a district that spans 32 counties. The area includes significant natural landmarks such as half of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
As U.S. Attorney, King oversaw all criminal and civil matters filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina. Her office focused on protecting civil rights, enhancing public safety, recovering taxpayer dollars, and combatting various forms of fraud including health care and COVID-19-related fraud.
One notable achievement during King's term was forming WDNC’s first Civil Rights Team to enforce civil rights laws and enhance community engagement regarding potential violations. Additionally, she reconstituted the Health Care Fraud Task Force to prosecute those defrauding insurers and wasting taxpayer money.
King prioritized protecting vulnerable populations from exploitation and violence by prosecuting child predators and financial scammers targeting older adults. She also worked on dismantling drug trafficking networks and reducing gun violence through targeted prosecutions.
Throughout her service, King emphasized strengthening partnerships with law enforcement agencies at all levels through training seminars addressing Department of Justice priorities.
“Serving as U.S. Attorney has given me the privilege of working alongside our dedicated federal, state, and local law enforcement partners,” said King.
She engaged in outreach efforts like Think Again to prevent illegal firearm purchases and United Against Hate to fight hate crimes. Her focus included youth engagement initiatives with local schools to address issues like school violence and leadership development.
In addition to her role as U.S. Attorney for WDNC, King served as Chair of several subcommittees within the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC), providing input on key issues to Department of Justice leadership.
Despite challenges such as budget cuts and the COVID-19 pandemic since taking office in 2021, King successfully maintained a large caseload while securing additional resources for her team.
Before becoming U.S. Attorney, King held various roles including Deputy Criminal Chief at WDNC overseeing violent crimes and narcotics sections.
“Being U.S. Attorney is an incredible job,” she remarked upon announcing her departure.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Lawrence J. Cameron will serve as Acting U.S. Attorney until a successor is appointed.