Steven D. Weinhoeft

Steven D. Weinhoeft was appointed to serve as the Interim U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois on Feb. 28, 2025, by Attorney General Pamela Bondi. On June 23, the district judges entered an order for Mr. Weinhoeft to serve under a court appointment effective on June 28. 

Having previously served as U.S. Attorney from 2018 to 2022, Mr. Weinhoeft returned to serve as the district’s chief federal law enforcement official representing the United States in all criminal and civil litigation. He brings nearly three decades of experience in federal and state law enforcement and complex litigation to the position.

He has been a member of the U.S. Department of Justice since February 2008, holding multiple leadership roles, including United States Attorney (2018–2022), First Assistant U.S. Attorney, Chief of the Criminal Division, and Supervisor of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force and Dangerous Drugs Division.

Weinhoeft has built a distinguished career dating back to 1996. Before joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, he spent more than eleven years at the Sangamon County (Ill.) State’s Attorney’s Office, including serving as its First Assistant State’s Attorney and Chief of the Criminal Division. He has significant trial experience, and his expertise includes broad areas of state and federal law, including violent crime, multi-district and international drug conspiracies, public corruption, national security, and complex financial crimes. He has technical experience serving as the office’s criminal Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property Coordinator. He has also served as the Digital Asset Coordinator with specialized expertise in cryptocurrency and blockchain issues.

He is admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, The US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and the Illinois Supreme Court.

The Southern District of Illinois covers 38 counties in southern Illinois and serves approximately 1.2 million people. The district has offices in East St. Louis, Benton, and Fairview Heights.