UNITED STATES ATTORNEY ANNOUNCES RESIGNATION
DES MOINES, Iowa—United States Attorney Matthew G. Whitaker announced today that he has tendered his resignation to President Obama as United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa. Whitaker, who has served as United States Attorney since June 2004, will leave office upon his successor being appointed.
“Being United States Attorney is the greatest professional experience and honor of my life. I am very proud of what we have accomplished in this office,” Whitaker said. “We have worked very hard these almost 5 ½ years to advance the goals of the Department of Justice. We have been firmly committed to protecting our citizens from terrorist attacks, reducing gang and gun violence, protecting our children from predators, reducing the availability of meth, cocaine, and marijuana in our communities, and protecting the taxpayers through our civil division.”
During his tenure, Whitaker emphasized cooperation among federal, state and local law enforcement. Particular areas of emphasis have been gangs, child exploitation, and drug trafficking. Whitaker also established a staffed office in Council Bluffs.
“The dedication and professionalism of the men and women comprising this office has truly been inspiring,” stated Whitaker.
Among significant cases prosecuted by his office during his tenure were:
• United States v. Cunningham, et al, the “CIETC” case: pleas and convictions in connection with the fraud at the Central Iowa Employment Training Consortium;
• Operation Wirebreaker: a coordinated District-wide enforcement effort seeking individuals that trade child porn on peer-to-peer networks resulting in 13 individuals being charged;
• United States v. Wallenfang: conviction and sentencing of a child pornography producer from Ankeny;
• Swift & Company Immigration Enforcement: charged almost 30 individuals with Immigration and Identity Theft charges with pleas and convictions;
• United States v. Davis and Edwards: both defendants received 360 months in prison for their involvement in an arson in Iowa City that resulted in one person’s death.
Whitaker holds three degrees from the University of Iowa (Law, MBA and BA) and was an academic All-American football player, playing on the University of Iowa’s last Rose Bowl team in 1991. On November 20 , Matt will th be inducted into the Iowa High School Football Hall of Fame at half time of the 4A state championship game. Upon stepping down from his post, Whitaker will join a Des Moines law firm as a partner.