OKLAHOMA CITY (JR) - U.S. Attorney Sanford C. Coats on Wednesday announced his resignation effective Jan. 15.

Coats said he plans on taking some time to determine his next professional endeavor.

Coats was nominated by President Barack Obama to become U.S. attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma on Sept. 30, 2009. The nomination was confirmed by the Senate on Dec. 24, 2009, and Coats was sworn-in on Dec. 30, 2009.

As U.S. attorney, Coats served on the Attorney General's Advisory Committee, vice-chair of the AGAC Native American Issues Subcommittee, co-chair of the Domestic Terrorism Executive Committee, co-chair the AGAC Terrorism and National Security Subcommittee and co-chair of the AGAC Crimes Against Children Subcommittee.

He served as an assistant U.S. attorney from 2004-2009 serving as team leader of the Major Crimes Team. …