BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – U.S. Attorney Phillip W. Williams Jr. today announced changes in management personnel for the district.
“From day-one on the job I have been impressed with the caliber of personnel in the U.S. Attorney’s Office. These promotions are well earned!” said Williams. “Additionally, it is my sense that a refined focus on national security and homeland defense issues is warranted. I am pleased to bring that into reality with the advent of a newly formed National Security section in our Criminal Division.”
U.S. Attorney Williams’ first order of business was to establish senior leadership. Catherine L. Crosby will remain the First Assistant U.S. Attorney (FAUSA) for the district. For the past five months, Catherine has served as the FAUSA while simultaneously serving as the Criminal Division Chief, Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney, and for three months as the Acting U.S. Attorney.
Deputy Chief Kristy Peoples has been chosen to serve as Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney (EAUSA). In this role, she will supervise employees in the Discovery Center, Law Enforcement Coordination Committee, and a new media department. The EAUSA will also serve in many ways as the Ambassador for the office to local, state, and federal law enforcement and District Attorneys. And she will work with the U.S. Attorney and FAUSA on special projects, while maintaining a select docket of cases.
Deputy Chief Jonathan B. Ward has been chosen to serve as the Criminal Division Chief. The Criminal Division is growing in size with the addition of more Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs), a new National Security Section, two Senior Litigation Counsel (SLC), Asset Forfeiture, and the Victims’ Team. AUSA Brittany Byrd will serve as Deputy Chief over the Violent Crime Section, and AUSA Daniel McBrayer will serve as Deputy Chief over the White-Collar Fraud Section. Deputy Chiefs will also manage paralegals assigned to their sections and maintain cases of their own.
AUSA Will McComb will serve as a second Senior Litigation Counsel, alongside SLC Ryan Rummage. The two prosecutors will assist all AUSAs with best practices and strategies and work alongside newer AUSAs for mentorship.
Effective July 26, 2026, U.S. Attorney Williams is standing up a new National Security Section of the Criminal Division. AUSA Henry Cornelius will serve as the National Security Section’s first Deputy Chief. AUSAs in the National Security Section will be the primary points of contact for national security cases.
“Strong leadership is essential to the success of any organization,” said Williams. “I am confident these leaders will continue to bring the experience, integrity, and dedication necessary to move our office forward.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama represents the interests of the United States in federal court in a broad array of federal crimes and the litigation of civil matters. The Northern District is the largest of three districts in the State of Alabama. It has a population of more than 2.8 million, encompasses 31 of the state’s 67 counties, and contains 2 of the state’s most populous cities, Birmingham and Huntsville. Staff serve in the headquarters office in Birmingham and a branch office in Huntsville. U.S. Attorney Williams, who was sworn in as the presidentially appointed, senate confirmed U.S. Attorney in May 2026, serves as the top-ranking federal law enforcement official in the district.
Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office — Northern District of Alabama — U.S. Department of Justice press release.