Young named chief deputy attorney general

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South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced Monday that Judge W. Jeffrey Young will be the new chief deputy attorney general, effective Aug. 1. Young will replace Robert Bolchoz, who has been chief deputy since October 2016 and who also served in the position from 1995-98 under former state Attorney Gen. Charlie Condon. Bolchoz is returning to private practice, according to a release. Wilson said Young brings "a wealth of knowledge and experience to this position as a state representative, private practice lawyer, judge and retired lieutenant colonel in the Air Force Reserve." "As someone who has legislated in the House, ruled from the bench and served in a combat zone, Judge Young has a passion for public service that has me excited about the work we'll be able to do together to serve the people of South Carolina," Wilson said. Young was most recently a circuit court judge at-large for the 3rd Judicial Circuit from February 2009 until his retirement last year. The 3rd Judicial Circuit comprises Clarendon, Sumter, Wiliamsburg and Lee counties. He served as a Family Court judge from 2004 to 2009. Young said he's always been impressed by the preparedness of the prosecutors in the Attorney General's Office. "This is a great honor, and it's probably the only position in state government that could pull me out of retirement," he said. "I could not pass up an opportunity to work with people of this caliber." Young served in the state House of Representatives from January 1995 to December 1998, representing his native Sumter, and again from January 2001 to December 2002. He's a 1977 graduate of The Citadel, and received his law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1984. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1977 to 2007, both active and in reserves, including four missions to Iraq. He retired as a lieutenant colonel. He and his wife, Sharon, have a daughter, Betsy; three sons, Will, Robert and Greyson; and two grandchildren.