U.S. Attorney for Kansas Barry Grissom is stepping down from his position.
Grissom, 62, announced Monday that his last day will be April 15. Pres. Barack Obama nominated Grissom in April 2010, and the U.S. Senate confirmed him later that year.
"Serving the American people and the citizens of Kansas is the best job in world,” Grissom said in a statement. “It has been an honor and a privilege to work with the attorneys and staff of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Kansas.”
Grissom led an office of around 50 Assistant U.S. Attorneys and 50 support staff across three offices in Wichita, Topeka and Kansas City, Kan. During his time serving as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Kansas, he founded the Kansas Civil Rights Symposium, founded the District’s first Human Trafficking Working Group, established the District’s first criminal prosecutor position and oversaw the District’s Project Safe Childhood program targeting sex offenders.
Grissom was also responsible for convicting Terry Lee Loewen, the man who plotted to bomb the former Wichita Mid-Continent Airport in December 2013. Loewen was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison last August.
In a statement, U.S. Attorney General Lorette Lynch thanked Grissom for his service.
"Ultimately, Barry has helped to make his beloved state of Kansas – and the entire United States – a safer and more just place," she said.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Beall will serve as acting U.S. Attorney once Grissom steps down.
