Top deputy to head local U.S. attorney’s office

The top deputy for the federal prosecutor's office for central and southern Indiana is taking over following the resignation of U.S. Attorney Joe Hogsett.

The U.S. attorney's office in Indianapolis said Friday that Josh Minkler is now the district's acting leader. Minkler has been the first assistant in the office and its drug unit chief.

Hogsett announced a couple weeks ago that he was stepping down at the end of July after four years in the position. He is joining an Indianapolis law firm and is considered a possible Democratic candidate in next year's Indianapolis mayoral election.

A permanent replacement as U.S. attorney would need to be nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate.