New federal magistrate in Cape Girardeau named

Abbie Crites-Leoni of Cape Girardeau has been selected by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri to fill a vacancy for U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Southeastern Division.

According to a news release from the Eastern District, Crites-Leoni was selected from nominees submitted by a merit-selection panel that consisted of lawyers and laypeople. Crites-Leoni will fill a vacancy created when Judge Lewis M. Blanton retires in March. The term is eight years with the opportunity to renew the appointment for additional terms, and Crites-Leoni's main workplace will be the Rush H. Limbaugh Sr. U.S. Courthouse in Cape Girardeau, the release said.

Crites-Leoni is an assistant federal prosecutor for the Eastern District of Missouri specializing in the prosecution of drug trafficking, child exploitation and government program fraud crimes. Crites-Leoni also spent time as attorney for the 32nd Judicial Circuit Juvenile Office and as assistant prosecutor for Cape Girardeau County.

Pertinent address:

599 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, MO