Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District Georgia
Congratulations are in order for Shanelle Booker, who was named the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia on Jan. 12, according to a press release issued by the United States Attorney’s Office. Booker’s historic appointment marks the first time a Black person and a Black woman has led the office.
Booker has an impressive resume that makes her highly qualified for the position. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, she has prosecuted a wide range of high-profile cases, including violent crime, child exploitation, sex trafficking, public corruption, and fraud, all within the Middle District of Georgia. Since joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 2015, Booker has held nearly every key leadership role, including Elder Justice Coordinator, Criminal Civil Rights and Hate Crimes Coordinator, Deputy Criminal Division Chief, Criminal Division Chief, Acting Administrative Officer, and First Assistant U.S. Attorney.
Under her new role as Acting U.S. Attorney, Booker, a native of Riverdale, Georgia, will oversee legal affairs for the Middle District of Georgia. This district spans 70 of the state’s 159 counties, including Albany, Athens, Columbus, Macon, and Valdosta, serving a population of approximately 2,045,000 people. The office is tasked with prosecuting federal crimes within the district, including offenses related to terrorism, public corruption, child exploitation, fraud, firearms, gangs, and narcotics. Additionally, it defends the United States in civil cases and works to collect debts owed to the federal government.
Booker is excited for her new role.
“It is an honor for me to serve the citizens of the Middle District of Georgia in this leadership role, and to ensure the good work of the office continues seamlessly,” she said in a statement. “Upholding justice and ensuring the safety of all is our office’s utmost objective, alongside our strong law enforcement and community partners across the Middle District of Georgia.”
A community leader.
Booker is deeply committed to giving back to her community, with a particular focus on empowering young people. Throughout her career, she has mentored juvenile girls at the Macon Regional Youth Detention Center through the Girl Squad Mentoring Program and supports literacy through the United Way of Central Georgia’s Read United Program, which provides school-based reading support and tutoring. Additionally, Ms. Booker collaborates with the Just the Beginning Foundation to inspire underrepresented students to pursue careers in law, and she volunteers with the Georgia High School Mock Trial Competition.
She is an active member of Bibb Mount Zion Baptist Church and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Ms. Booker is also a former board member of the Central Georgia Empowerment Fund, a philanthropic organization dedicated to strengthening nonprofit groups that serve the Black community and address critical issues facing Central Georgia’s Black population.
Booker’s historic appointment comes after the resignation of Peter D. Leary, who had served as U.S. Attorney since 2021.
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