Jacob J. Strain Appointed First Assistant U.S. Attorney
U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak named the longtime Department of Justice official to the new leadership role in Utah.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Latter-Day Saints
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Utah, Melissa Holyoak, has appointed Jacob J. Strain as the new First Assistant United States Attorney. Strain succeeds Felice Viti in the position.
Why it matters
The appointment elevates a veteran litigator to a key leadership role within the District of Utah's federal prosecutorial office. His extensive background in criminal justice and securities fraud informs his new management responsibilities.
Jacob J. Strain has served as an attorney with the Department of Justice for more than 17 years. He is a graduate of Brigham Young University and earned a law degree from the J. Reuben Clark Law School.
The players
Jacob J. Strain
He is the newly appointed First Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Utah who previously served as Chief of the Criminal Division.
Melissa Holyoak
She is the United States Attorney for the District of Utah who officially announced the new appointment.
Felice Viti
He is the former First Assistant United States Attorney who previously held the role now filled by Jacob J. Strain.
The details
Strain previously held several leadership roles within the agency, including Chief of the Criminal Division, Chief of the Securities Fraud Section, and Grand Jury Supervisor. He began his career through the Department of Justice Honors Program and previously served as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of Texas.
Timeline
The office announced the appointment on October 14, 2026.
Market Landscape
The transition reflects broader internal staffing trends within the Department of Justice, where career prosecutors frequently rotate through senior supervisory positions. This move solidifies the leadership structure in the District of Utah following the tenure of Felice Viti.
The appointment signals continuity for federal legal proceedings and operations within Utah. Residents and local businesses involved in federal litigation will see a new leader overseeing the administrative and prosecutorial functions of the office.
The takeaway
The appointment of a career prosecutor to this high-level role underscores the Department of Justice's focus on internal expertise for leadership transitions. Stakeholders can expect the current organizational priorities of the District of Utah to remain a primary focus under the new First Assistant.
Further reading
Learn more about local community developments in the Latter-Day Saints section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The United States Department of Justice.
