Lynch’s appointment took effect yesterday, Press Secretary Charles Reyes Jr. said. Reyes said Lynch replaced Jeffery L. Warfield Sr. who will now work as a full-time courtroom prosecutor.
Reyes said Lynch is the CNMI’s longest tenured assistant AG, having served the AG’s Office in various capacities for the past 11 years.
Lynch was the chief prosecutor from 1999 to 2002 and was the chief counsel to the Department of Labor from 2002 to 2006.
Lynch also served as counsel to the Division of Immigration and handled deportation proceedings, immigration matters, refugee protection and prosecuted criminal labor violations.
Reyes yesterday said Warfield’s decision to vacate his post is a personal decision.
“He wants to practice law in the courtroom rather than be an administrator,” Reyes said in an e-mail.
Warfield was appointed chief prosecutor by Attorney General Matthew Gregory on Jan. 30, 2006.
Under Warfield’s leadership, the criminal division successfully charged and prosecuted the first cases under the CNMI’s new human trafficking laws and obtained guilty verdicts resulting in a life sentence for kidnapping and attempted murder, Reyes said.
The division also prosecuted and obtained significant sentences for individuals convicted of copper wire thefts and poker robberies, Reyes added.
Gregory, in a separate media statement, said that he respect Warfield’s decision.
“Although I have been pleased with Mr. Warfield and would welcome his continued service as chief prosecutor, I certainly respect his desire to serve the commonwealth in a different role,” Gregory said.
“Mr. Warfield passed the CNMI Bar Exam in February 2008 and was sworn in during a ceremony at the Supreme Court on May 1, 2008. This reflects as commitment to serve the commonwealth and he is an inspiration and valued asset to the Office of the Attorney General,” Gregory added.
