Jessica D. Aber
Name: Jessica Diane Aber
Current Role: Former U.S. Attorney, Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA)
Start / End Date: Sworn in October 12 2021; resigned effective January 20 2025
Party Affiliation: Not publicly confirmed
Birth: September 9 1981, Walnut Creek, California
Death: March 22 2025, Alexandria, Virginia, age 43
Career Overview
Jessica D. Aber built a respected career as a federal prosecutor and leader within the Department of Justice. She began as a law clerk to Magistrate Judge M. Hannah Lauck in the Eastern District of Virginia (2006–2007), then joined McGuireWoods LLP in Richmond as an associate attorney (2007–2008).
In 2009, she entered public service as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia, handling financial fraud, public corruption, violent crime and child exploitation cases. From 2015 to 2016, she served in Washington D.C. as Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General in the DOJ’s Criminal Division. Returning to Virginia, she became Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division in the EDVA, a role she held until her nomination as U.S. Attorney.
President Joe Biden nominated Aber in August 2021, and the Senate unanimously confirmed her on October 5 of that year. She was sworn in on October 12 2021. During her tenure, she directed one of the nation’s most active federal districts, encompassing Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Hampton Roads. Her leadership combined operational discipline, fairness, and a focus on community trust.
Education and Early Life
Born in Walnut Creek, California, Aber graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Richmond in 2003. She earned her Juris Doctor from the William & Mary Law School in 2006.
Major Cases and Actions
During her tenure as U.S. Attorney, Aber oversaw a diverse portfolio of high-impact prosecutions involving cybercrime, financial fraud, gang violence, and national security.
1. Immigration-fraud and money-laundering prosecution (2023)
Aber’s office secured a guilty plea from an Israeli national who organized illegal employment schemes for non-citizens and laundered the proceeds. The case reflected her emphasis on cross-border enforcement and immigration-related financial crimes.
2. Russian money-laundering and cryptocurrency-exchange indictment (2024)
Two Russian nationals were charged for operating billion-dollar laundering platforms supporting ransomware and darknet operations. Aber underscored the DOJ’s commitment to “unmasking” digital crime and pursuing cyber-enabled financial misconduct.
3. War-crimes charges related to the conflict in Ukraine (2023)
The EDVA indicted four Russia-affiliated individuals for the kidnapping and torture of a U.S. citizen in occupied Ukraine. Aber described the case as a hallmark of the DOJ’s accountability efforts for atrocities committed abroad.
Earlier in her career, she prosecuted a $100 million life-settlement fraud case and numerous public-corruption matters. Collectively, these actions demonstrate her blend of courtroom skill, strategic focus, and international cooperation.
Public Image and Focus
Jessica Aber was widely recognized for her professionalism, humility, and dedication to justice. Colleagues described her as a meticulous and fair-minded leader who fostered collaboration and mentorship within her office.
Her leadership priorities included reducing violent crime, strengthening financial-fraud enforcement, advancing national-security prosecutions, and improving public understanding of federal legal processes.
In 2026, she was posthumously awarded the Virginia State Bar’s Harry L. Carrico Professionalism Award for her integrity and service to the profession.
Personal Life
Details of Aber’s family life were largely private. She had publicly acknowledged living with epilepsy, a condition that shaped her advocacy for awareness of neurological health. Her death in March 2025 was attributed to sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Her passing prompted widespread tributes from the legal community, honoring her intellect, kindness, and leadership.
Fast Facts
-
Born September 9, 1981, Walnut Creek, California
-
University of Richmond (B.A., 2003, magna cum laude)
-
William & Mary Law School (J.D., 2006)
-
Clerked for Magistrate Judge M. Hannah Lauck (2006–2007)
-
Associate, McGuireWoods LLP (2007–2008)
-
Assistant U.S. Attorney, EDVA (2009–2021)
-
U.S. Attorney for EDVA (2021–2025)
-
Led landmark cases on cybercrime, immigration fraud, and war-crimes accountability
-
Died March 22 2025, Alexandria, Virginia, age 43
-
Posthumous recipient of the 2026 Harry L. Carrico Professionalism Award
