William T. Stetzer, Filling U.S. Attorney Position, North Carolina 2021

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A new face has taken the helm as the Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, following the departure of U.S. Attorney Andrew Murray on February 28, 2021. William T. Stetzer, a career prosecutor, has been named to fill the position.

Acting U.S. Attorney Stetzer is a seasoned public servant with over 20 years of experience in state and federal prosecution. He joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 2018 and has since served as the First Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

During his extensive career, Mr. Stetzer has handled numerous high-profile cases, including capital and non-capital murder cases. His experience in felony jury trials has earned him a reputation as a formidable prosecutor.

One notable case that Mr. Stetzer was involved in was United States v. Lindberg et al., a high-profile bribery case involving public officials. The case was a significant accomplishment for the prosecution team, and Mr. Stetzer’s contributions were instrumental in securing a successful outcome.

Before joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Mr. Stetzer served as Supervisor of the Homicide Prosecution Team at the District Attorney’s (DA’s) Office for Mecklenburg County, which includes Charlotte. During his seven-year tenure, his unit achieved significant reductions in the homicide case backlog and in case disposition time, while increasing both the conviction rate of homicide defendants and the sentences they received.

Mr. Stetzer has received numerous awards for his dedication to public service, including the Justice Department’s Assistant Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service in 2020. He has also been recognized by the FBI, the Crime Victim’s Coalition, and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department Homicide Support Group for his lifelong contribution to the pursuit of justice.

Acting U.S. Attorney Stetzer resides in Gaston County and received his undergraduate degree from the University of Central Florida in 1993. He graduated with honors from Washburn University School of Law in 1996. His spouse, Kelly Stetzer, is a prosecutor assigned to the Violent Crimes Unit with the Mecklenburg County DA’s Office.

In a statement, Acting U.S. Attorney Stetzer expressed his commitment to serving the people of the Western District and upholding the office’s mission to seek justice and protect the rights and safety of the public.

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