Pursuant to the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, First Assistant United States Attorney Michael Rhett DeHart has been named as the interim successor of the outgoing U.S. Attorney Peter M. McCoy, Jr. Michael Rhett DeHart is an experienced federal prosecutor in the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina. The latter is expected to temporarily fill the highest position in the Office as U.S. Attorney McCoy steps down. Acting U.S. Attorney General Robert M. “Monty” Wilkinson had previously announced in an all-U.S. Attorney call on February 9, 2021, that the remaining 55 Trump-appointed Top Federal Prosecutors, U.S. Attorney McCoy included, are being requested by President-elect Joe Biden to vacate their posts on or before the end of February, as is considered customary in the transition process into the new administration. U.S. Attorney McCoy has announced his plans to depart from the Office last February 23, 2021, through his letter of resignation tendered to President Joe Biden. First Assistant U.S. Attorney M. Rhett DeHart will step into the role as Acting United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina beginning on March 1, 2021, and will serve in the position for the subsequent 300 days or until a successor is nominated and confirmed by the Biden Administration.
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Appointment
Michael Rhett DeHart – a veteran federal prosecutor – is officially named the Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina, taking the place of the outgoing U.S. Attorney Peter M. McCoy, Jr. by virtue of the Federal Vacancies Reform Act. Peter McCoy was previously in an all-U.S. Attorney call with Acting U.S. Attorney General Robert M. “Monty” Wilkinson, who had extended the request of President-elect Joe Biden to the remaining 55 Trump-appointed U.S. Attorneys, asking them to vacate their posts in order to fill the 94 districts in the United States with new Top Federal Prosecutors appointed under the Biden Administration. Former U.S. Attorney McCoy announced his resignation on February 23, 2021, which shall be made effective on February 28, 2021. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Rhett DeHart shall begin performing duties as Acting United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina on March 1, 2021, and shall continue to do so for the succeeding 300 days or up to the time that a new Chief Federal Law Enforcement Official for the district has been appointed by the Biden Administration.
Educational Background and Bar Admission
Acting U.S. Attorney Rhett DeHart graduated from the Honors College of the University of South Carolina, receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1991. Ever so faithful to his alma matter, he subsequently pursued law at the University of South Carolina School of Law, graduating Order of the Coif and receiving his Juris Doctorate in 1994. On January 3, 1995, United States Attorney DeHart was granted admission into the South Carolina Bar Association.
Committed solely to government service, U.S. Attorney Rhett DeHart became a Counsel on the United States Senate Judiciary Committee. For several years before becoming a part of the United States Department of Justice, Acting U.S. Attorney DeHart focused on supervising the criminal legislation section.
Legal Career
In 2001, U.S. Attorney DeHart pursued a career in the Department of Justice and joined the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. He served in the Charleston, SC Branch Office and focused his legal career on prosecuting a variety of federal criminal cases, with emphasis on child exploitation and white-collar fraud. A native of North Augusta, SC, Acting U.S. Attorney Rhett DeHart has spent most of his legal career serving and protecting the district from where he was born. He has dedicated approximately two decades to be an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina, prosecuting hundreds of felonies throughout the past 20 years. Acting U.S. Attorney DeHart has been able to further develop his practical skills and expertise through a wide variety of experience gained over the period of time he has been with the Department of Justice. He had argued seven cases before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, authored thirty appellate briefs, and tried about 20 jury and non-jury trials, among other notable accomplishments.
Prior to being named as the interim Top Federal Prosecutor for the District of South Carolina, M. Rhett DeHart served as First Assistant United States Attorney to former U.S. Attorney Peter M. McCoy, Jr. as second-in-command in the Office of the United States Attorney, DeHart was in charge of managing and supervising the Criminal, Civil, Appellate, and Administrative Divisions, as well as served as the primary liaison between the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Chief U.S. District Judge.
Honors and Awards
With his two decades of service to the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina, Acting U.S. Attorney DeHart has been acclaimed and recognized numerous times. He has been the recipient of the United States Attorney’s Award thrice, in 2006, 2009, and 2014, and has received other law enforcement awards.
Statement of Acting U.S. Attorney DeHart
Upon his appointment, U.S. Attorney M. Rhett DeHart expressed his gratitude for serving under such an opportunity. In addition, he has asserted that as the Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina, he will continue to ensure the impartial carrying out of justice.
“Having worked two decades in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, I am extremely humbled and honored to serve as acting U.S. Attorney. I will continue to ensure our office remains impartial in enforcing the rule of law and committed to protecting the people of South Carolina by never giving safe harbor to criminals here,” said Acting U.S. Attorney DeHart.
Office Jurisdiction
Being the interim Chief Federal Law Enforcement Official for the District of South Carolina, Acting U.S. Attorney Michael Rhett DeHart is responsible for representing the interests of the United States in civil, criminal, and appellate litigation within the jurisdiction of the District of South Carolina. Moreover, he is in charge of leading the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina, divided amongst the four branches in Charleston, Columbia, Florence, and Greenville.
Contact Details
Full Name: Michael Rhett DeHart
District/State: South Carolina
Public email ID: Rhett.dehart@usdoj.gov
Charleston Branch Office
Liberty Center Building
151 Meeting Street
Suite 200
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 727-4381
Main
(843) 727-4443
Fax
Columbia Branch Office
Wells Fargo Building
1441 Main Street
Suite 500
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 929-3000
Main
(803) 254-2912
Fax
Florence Branch Office
McMillan Federal Building
401 West Evans Street
Room 222
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 665-6688
Main
(843) 678-8809
Fax
Greenville Branch Office
One Liberty Square Building
55 Beattie Place
Suite 700
Greenville, SC 29601
(864) 282-2100
Main
(864) 233-3158
Fax
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Updated: July 5, 2021