A well-known New Orleans criminal defense lawyer is one step closer to becoming the area's top federal prosecutor.

A Senate committee has advanced David Courcelle's nomination to become the U.S. Attorney. Advertisement

It will now head to the full Senate for a vote for final confirmation, which is expected to happen in the next few weeks.

Courcelle was nominated by the Trump administration to be the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana, which includes 13 parishes in Southeast Louisiana.

He will lead all federal prosecutions of confirmed.

Courcelle has years of experience in the federal system, handling drug, gun and corruption cases.

He has recently represented clients involved in the federal staged wrecks case.

Courcelle is a graduate of De La Salle High School, Uni

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