New top prosecutor in Middle Georgia is a Macon resident, Georgia graduate
.jpg "From left to right, U.S. Attorney William R. Keyes and former Acting U.S, Attorney C. Shanelle Booker. Keyes succeeded Booker’s position on June 24, 2025.")
William R. “Will” Keyes will succeed C. Shanelle Booker as the new U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, the Department of Justice announced Tuesday.
Keyes started his career in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 2018 as an assistant U.S. attorney for Middle Georgia. But now, he will hold the top-ranking position in federal law enforcement for 70 counties in Middle Georgia, including cities such as Albany, Athens, Columbus, Macon and Valdosta, according to the DOJ.
Booker was appointed acting U.S. attorney on Jan. 11 after the previous U.S. attorney at the time, Peter D. Leary, resigned. At the time, she was the first Black prosecutor and woman to hold the position.
Keyes will now be responsible for prosecuting federal crimes in the district, including “terrorism, public corruption, child exploitation, fraud, firearms, illegal gangs and narcotics,” the DOJ said. His office will also defend the U.S. in civil cases and collect debts owed to it.
Before being appointed as U.S. attorney, he had prosecuted cases that involved drug trafficking organizations, violent crime, child exploitation and offenses related to terrorism, officials said. Keyes has also held leadership positions in the office. He has served as the Project Safe Neighborhood coordinator, a member of the Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council, a National Security Cyber specialist, a district election officer, and deputy criminal chief.
He also serves in the U.S. Army Reserve as a judge advocate and “provided instruction on humanitarian law to forces from partner nations in East Africa and Central America,” according to prosecutors. Keyes has won military awards including the Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.
Keyes explained that taking the position as U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Georgia is a “tremendous honor.” He said he was grateful to President Donald Trump and Attorney General Pamela Bondi for placing their trust in him.
“I care deeply for this District and look forward to working closely with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners on behalf of all Middle Georgians,” Keyes said in a statement. “Together, we will protect our communities and uphold the rule of law.”
Will Keyes’ earlier career
Keyes began attending college in 2005 at the University of Georgia, where he obtained two undergraduate degrees in economics and statistics. After obtaining his master’s in economics, he attended UGA’s School of Law, where he eventually received his juris doctor in 2013, according to his LinkedIn profile.
He worked as an associate for a law firm in Atlanta before being deployed to Camp Arifjan in Kuwait to work on Operation Inherent Resolve, which was aimed at defeating ISIS in designated areas in Iraq and Syria, according to his LinkedIn profile. He also worked as a legal adviser to soldiers.
He then served with the Office of Commissions in Washington, D.C., where he prosecuted alleged members of Al-Qaeda in Guantanamo Bay, the DOJ said.
Keyes remains involved with UGA and serves on the alumni board for the business school. He lives in Macon with his wife and two kids.
This story was originally published June 24, 2025 at 4:58 PM.
