Latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Midlands

COLUMBIA (AP) -- Criminal defense attorney Bill Nettles has been sworn in as South Carolina's top federal prosecutor.

Nettles was sworn in as U.S. attorney during a private ceremony on Monday. His office says a formal investiture ceremony will be scheduled later.

The U.S. Senate approved Nettles' nomination last month. President Barack Obama in December nominated the 48-year-old attorney to succeed Walt Wilkins. Kevin McDonald has served as acting U.S attorney since Wilkins left office in January.

Nettles is a graduate of The Citadel and Widener School of Law. He served as a public defender in Richland County for two years before going into private practice.

He has been practicing with his father-in-law, former judge and Charleston School of Law founder Alex Sanders.

(Copyright ©2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)