Bellevue grad appointed to federal bench

BELLEVUE — Judge Jeremy Santoro's road to the federal immigration court in Cleveland began in Bellevue.Santoro, the son of Randy and Verlea, was born and raised in Bellevue. He attended high school there. He lettered in football and baseball and participated in Science Club, Spanish Club and Key Club before graduating in 1991.After graduating from Bellevue High School, he went to Bowling Green State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1996. He continued his education at the University of Toledo College of Law, where he obtained his Juris Doctorate in 2001.Santoro practiced law at a private firm before joining the Lucas County Prosecutor's Office in 2002. He then moved to the federal government.From 2009 to 2019, he served in various legal roles for the Office of Chief Counsel, Office of Principal Legal Advisor, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security.Santoro's diverse legal background led U.S. Attorney General William Barr to appoint him as a judge at the Cleveland Immigration Court. He started hearing cases this month.When he isn't presiding over cases in a federal court, he lives in Avon with his wife Kendra and daughters, Natalie and Ava.Reach reporter Michael Harrington at michaelharrington@sanduskyregister.com, follow the Register at Facebook.com/SanduskyRegisterJudge Jeremy Santoro