Sandusky native confirmed as U.S. district attorney

WASHINGTON — Marisa T. Darden, a Sandusky native, has just made state history as the first Black woman to serve as U.S. Attorney for Ohio's Northern District. The U.S. Senate confirmed Darden's nomination on Wednesday. In her new role as U.S. Attorney, she will serve as the highest prosecutor over the 6 million residents of the Cleveland, Akron and Toledo areas for Ohio's Northern District. Darden's nomination came from the White House in November. Darden has clocked in eight years as an assistant district attorney in both New York and Cleveland and began practicing international law out of Cleveland in 2019. U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, made the recommendation to President Joe Biden, that Darden would bring a "wealth of knowledge and experience to lead the Northern District with excellence." "Ms. Darden will be an outstanding U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio," Brown said. "Throughout her legal career, serving the community has been her priority." Now as the U.S. Attorney for Northern Ohio, Darden will hold jurisdiction over 40 counties in Ohio. Darden's office will be responsible for prosecuting any federal crimes across the Northern District. Darden's ambitious streak runs in her family. Her father, Thom Darden Jr., was a safety and punt returner for the Cleveland Browns in the 1970s and holds the franchise record for interceptions over his career. Marisa's grandfather, the Rev. Thomas Darden, was the first Black person elected as a Sandusky city commissioner and then as mayor of Sandusky. Rev. Darden said that the confirmation has been an excitement for the family. He said that Marisa had her sights on this future since she was a teen and has put in the sweat to get here. "I'm lost for words, we are so excited," he said. "It's an answer to our prayers. She has worked so diligently since she was in high school, then through college. She's had her eyes set on a position along the lines of where she is now." Marisa's confirmation comes just three weeks after Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed as a U.S. Supreme Court justice. Jackson is the first Black woman to be appointed to the Supreme Court. Rev. Darden said watching his granddaughter make historical strides in tandem with Jackson has been an inexplicable experience. "With Judge Jackson's nomination it's situated our efforts for Marissa," Rev. Darden said. "Seeing history being made and being part of that now seeing one of your own making history, I'm lost for words. It's exciting to see. "You knew things would be better but you never dreamed you would be a part of it and to have offspring that are a part of it to the extent that she is," he said. Rev. Darden was just coming out of politics when Marisa was born, he said he began devoting full-time to his ministry when she was young and was a babysitter to Marisa and her younger sister. Rev. Darden said that Marisa and her sister, who is also an attorney, were big Law and Order fans — possibly a contributing inspiration to her prosecutorial wheelhouse. "Watching Law and Order has really paid off for us," Rev. Darden joked. "That was our favorite show when she was a young girl. She always wanted to be the prosecutor." Darden will have to return to Ohio from Washington to be sworn into her new role. Marisa's career has taken her to many places including California, Manhattan, D.C, and Cleveland but Rev. Darden said she still considers her grandfather's home on Wamajo Drive in Sandusky to be her home. "She still calls Sandusky home," Rev. Darden said. "She's quite a girl." - Appreciate news from your community? Click here to subscribe to the Register.