BALTIMORE, MD—The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland announced that Kelly O. Hayes was appointed and sworn in as Interim U.S. Attorney on Monday, March 3, 2025. Before this appointment, Hayes was the Chief of the Southern Division, U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland, since 2021.
In 2013, Hayes became an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Maryland. In addition to her role as Chief of the Southern Division, she has also served as Principal Deputy Chief for the Southern Division, Deputy Chief for the Southern Division, and Deputy Appellate Chief for the District.
As Chief of the Southern Division, Hayes supervised all criminal investigations and prosecutions. This included prosecutions related to MS-13, violent crime and illegal firearm possession and trafficking offenses, human trafficking, child exploitation, fraud, and illegal immigration offenses.
“I have spent over a decade witnessing the incredible and impactful work my colleagues do every day, and I am beyond honored to lead this Office as we continue to serve and protect the people of Maryland and the United States,” interim U.S. Attorney Hayes said. “In cooperation with our federal, state, and local partners, I am confident that the outstanding men and women of the U.S. Attorney’s Office will work tirelessly and zealously to combat criminal activity that harms the people of the United States and to steadfastly represent the interests of the United States. I thank the President and the Attorney General for placing their confidence in me. It is the honor of a lifetime to serve in this role.”
Hayes grew up in Montgomery County, Maryland. She obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland at College Park and her law degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law. After law school, Hayes clerked for Judge Janis L. Sammartino in California’s Southern District.
This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.
Photo by Sora Shimazaki from Pexels
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