ALEXANDRIA, Va. – United States Attorney G. Zachary Terwilliger announced Tuesday that he will step down from his position as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA), effective 11:59 p.m. on January 15.
“It is with tremendous gratitude for the women and men of Team EDVA, our selfless federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, and my incredibly supportive family that I conclude my time in public service,” said Terwilliger. “It has been the honor of honors to be in the arena with so many dedicated individuals in the pursuit of justice, and I feel so fortunate to conclude my service as the United States Attorney in the district where it all began. To the people of the EDVA, thank you for the extraordinary opportunity to serve you. May you and your families have a safe, healthy, and productive 2021.”
According to a press release, Terwilliger is joining the private sector with a post at the Vinson and Elkins law firm.
Terwilliger was appointed in May 2018, with support from Senator Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, and was nominated by the President and in September 2018 was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate as the 62nd United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Terwilliger supervised investigations into and secured charges or convictions in major cases, including against two alleged ISIS militants charged with a hostage-taking scheme that led to multiple deaths of Americans in Syria; a Russian national charged with interfering in the U.S. political system; the trial conviction of the Chesapeake doctor who performed unnecessary and irreversible surgeries on women; arrests of35 people in Operation Cookout, a local drug conspiracy; and a $137 million agreement with Walmart.
Raj Parekh, a career federal prosecutor and EDVA’s First Assistant U.S. Attorney, will now serve as Acting U.S. Attorney. Parekh will become the first Indian-American and minority in the 232-year history of the Office to serve as EDVA’s U.S. Attorney (acting or otherwise).
“Lest there be any doubt, the accomplishments above are a credit to the amazing women and men of EDVA and our partner agencies,” said Terwilliger. “I am so humbled to have had the privilege to work alongside them.”
