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Press Release

Seiler Nominated by the White House to be U. S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of South Dakota

Randolph J. Seiler has received the official nomination by President Barack Obama to be the 41st United States Attorney for the District of South Dakota. Prior to this White House nomination, Seiler has served as the Acting U.S. Attorney since March 12, 2015.

Pursuant to an order signed by U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch on October 6, 2015, Seiler was sworn in that same day by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange at a ceremony at the U.S. District Courthouse in Pierre, South Dakota.

“It is with tremendous gratitude and appreciation that I have received the White House nomination to be the  41st U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Seiler.  “I feel privileged and honored, but it is also an awesome responsibility.  The mission of pursuing justice is so incredibly pure, impactful, and fulfilling.  I can’t envision a more rewarding line of work, than to help deliver justice on behalf of victims of violent crimes, for citizens suffering civil rights violations, victims of fraud and public corruption, and the myriad of other crimes dealt with in the U. S. Attorney’s Office.

One of the most crucial aspects of this position is the work we do in Indian country.  I’ll continue to enhance our outreach and prosecutions on our state’s nine reservations, and strive to give a voice to those who don’t have one.  Working with my staff, and shoulder to shoulder with our law enforcement partners, I look forward to this next chapter, and am excited to officially take over the reins of U. S. Attorney.” 

Randy Seiler has been with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for 20 years.  From November 2009 to March 2015, Seiler served as both the First Assistant United States Attorney and the Tribal Liaison for the District of South Dakota.  Prior to serving in those two capacities, Seiler was an Assistant U.S. Attorney, and he spent 14 years prosecuting violent crime offenses in Indian country and other areas throughout the state.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota has jurisdiction on nine Indian reservations.

As First Assistant, Seiler was responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of the U.S. Attorney's Office.  He was also the supervisor of the U.S. Attorney’s branch office in Pierre, where he was directly involved in prosecutorial matters and decisions.

As Tribal Liaison, he consulted and coordinated with tribal justice officials and leaders, tribal communities, and victim advocates in an effort to address any issues in the prosecution of major crimes in Indian country in South Dakota.

Seiler also served as counsel to the Director in the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., in 2008.  He has been an instructor at the National Advocacy Center in Columbia, South Carolina, as well as a presenter at numerous conferences and trainings on various topics including violent crime, sexual assault, domestic violence, and legal issues in the prosecution of crimes in Indian country.

He has received the Attorney General's Award for Fraud Prevention, as well as the Director's Award for Superior Performance in Indian Country.

Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney's Office in 1995, Seiler was in private practice in Mobridge, South Dakota, where he practiced criminal and civil law.  He also previously served as Campbell County Deputy States Attorney and Special Judge for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.

As U.S. Attorney, Seiler will continue with the priority areas of the office, and he will maintain the strong commitment to prosecuting Indian country crimes and human trafficking.

Seiler grew up in Herreid, South Dakota, served his country in the U.S. Air Force, which included a year-long tour in Vietnam, and graduated from the University of South Dakota School of Law.

He and his wife, Wanda, live in Fort Pierre, and have four grown children and two grandchildren.

Seiler’s nomination will be sent to the United States Senate for confirmation.

Updated October 8, 2015