Meet the U.S. Attorney

Honorable Ronald C. Gathe, Jr.
U.S. Attorney

Ronald C. Gathe, Jr., on December 13, 2021 after being nominated by President Joseph R. Biden was sworn in as the first black U. S. Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana. As the chief federal law enforcement official in the district, Mr. Gathe is responsible for enforcing the federal criminal laws, representing the U.S. government in civil proceedings, and managing programs for the community and state and local law enforcement to keep the district safe.  In addition, he serves as the Executive Director for the Center of Disaster Fraud. The mission of the National Center for Disaster Fraud is to improve and further the prevention, detection, investigation, and prosecution of fraud related to natural and manmade disasters and to advocate for victims of such fraud.  

Previously, he served as the Chief of Trials for the 18^th Judicial District, Office of the District Attorney since January of 2021, where he was responsible for the training of the assistant district attorneys and supervising all trials held in the district which encompasses West Baton Rouge, Pointe Coupee and Iberville Parishes.  Previously, Mr. Gathe was the Section Chief for the 19^th Judicial District, Office of the District Attorney, where he became the first black section chief.  He was responsible for prosecuting a broad range of felony crimes including homicides, rapes, robberies, and other crimes of violence. 

Mr. Gathe is a native of Baton Rouge where he attended St. Francis Xavier School and Catholic High of Baton Rouge.  He received his Bachelor of Science from Xavier University of Louisiana and his Juris Doctor from Southern University Law Center.

Upon graduating from Law School, he worked as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable James Best in the 18^th Judicial District.  Mr. Gathe has also served as an Adjunct Professor at Southern University Law Center where he taught Criminal Procedure, Criminal Law and Trial Advocacy.  He was also the supervisor of Southern University Law Center Externs who try actual cases through the District Attorney’s Office.  Mr. Gathe was awarded the honor of Distinguished Alumni at Southern University Law Center.

Mr. Gathe has served as the First President of the Louisiana Black Prosecutors Association in which he helped established. While President, Louisiana was awarded Chapter of the Year.  He has also served as Regional Director, Vice President of Membership, and Treasurer of the National Black Prosecutors Association. He was acknowledged by the National Black Prosecutors Association at the National Convention for having 15 years of experience as a prosecutor. He also received the NBPA President Special Recognition Award.