James Stanley Lemelle (DOJ)

Attorney General Eric Holder has appointed James Stanley “Stan” Lemelle the new interim U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana, effective Sunday.

A Louisiana television station reported the news Monday afternoon.

David R. Dugas served as the district’s head prosecutor from 2001 until last week when he resigned to enter private practice in Baton Rouge.

“I have been an Assistant United States Attorney for the Middle District for 31 years,” Lemelle said in a news release. “For the past 16 years, I’ve served as criminal chief and supervised the office’s criminal division.”

“I am honored by the Attorney General’s appointment and look forward to continuing my work with the fine professionals of this office and with our outstanding law enforcement community,” Lemelle added.

President Barack Obama nominated Don Cazayoux, a former member of the U.S. House, earlier this month.