Scott Twito of Yellowstone County will become interim US Attorney for Montana

Scott Twito, Yellowstone County Attorney for 16 years, will be interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana.

Twito’s last day with the county will be Oct. 25, and he steps into the new role on Oct. 26, he said in a letter of resignation last week. The U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed Twito was tapped for the role.

Typically, the U.S. Attorney General appoints interim U.S. Attorneys to serve for 120 days, and a district court may reappoint or appoint a new interim until a permanent U.S. Attorney is in place.

U.S. Attorneys are nominated by the president and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

The U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana conducts federal prosecutions in this state including of white collar crimes and public corruption.

Former U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme, nominated by President Donald Trump, stepped down in March to run for the U.S. Senate.

The White House did not respond to an email about whether Trump plans to nominate Twito for the permanent post, and the press office did not answer when called.

Twito did not respond to an email or voicemails in time for this story.

His letter of resignation said he was leaving the county because “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity presented itself to me.”

In the letter, Twito said he worked for Yellowstone County for nearly 30 years, and he tried to serve with humility, “aware that each day of my job I answered to the residents of this community.

“They were my supervisors,” Twito said. “I am proud of my service and forever grateful to those who helped me along the way.”