William Caldwell

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William Caldwell

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Prior offices
United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania

Education

Bachelor's

Dickinson College, 1948

Law

Dickinson School of Law, 1951

Personal
Birthplace
Harrisburg, Pa.


William W. Caldwell was a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. He joined the court in 1982 after being nominated by President Ronald Reagan (R). Caldwell retired from full-time service, assuming senior status, on May 31, 1994. His service ended on May 19, 2019, when he died.[1][2]

Early life and education

Born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Caldwell graduated from Dickinson College with his bachelor's degree in 1948 and from Dickinson School of Law with his LL.B. in 1951.[2]

Military service

Caldwell served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1945.[2]

Professional career

  • 1994-2019: Senior judge
  • 1982-1994: Judge

Judicial career

Middle District of Pennsylvania

Nomination Tracker
Fedbadgesmall.png
Nominee Information
Name: William W. Caldwell
Court: United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
Progress
Confirmed 27 days after nomination.
ApprovedANominated: February 19, 1982
DefeatedAABA Rating:
Questionnaire:
ApprovedAHearing: March 11, 1982
QFRs: (Hover over QFRs to read more)
ApprovedAReported: March 17, 1982 
ApprovedAConfirmed: March 18, 1982
ApprovedAVote: Unanimous consent

Caldwell was nominated to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania by President Ronald Reagan on February 19, 1982, to a seat vacated by Robert Dixon Herman. Hearings on Caldwell's nomination were held before the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 11, 1982, and his nomination was reported by U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.) on March 17, 1982. Caldwell was confirmed by the unanimous consent of the U.S. Senate on March 18, 1982, and he received his commission the next day. Caldwell elected to take senior status beginning on May 31, 1994.[2][3] He was succeeded in this position by Judge James Munley.

Noteworthy cases

Leader of "Felony Lane Gang" sentenced for crime spree (2014)

See also: United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania (U.S. v. Russ)

On March 19, 2014, Judge Caldwell sentenced Travis J. Russ to almost sixteen years in prison for his participation as the leader of the "Felony Lane Gang," a group of thieves who wreaked havoc upon patrons of national state parks, stealing more than $1 million. Russ served as leader of the gang during a five-year crime spree involving car break-ins, identity theft, and bank fraud. From August to October 2012, the gang stole from more than 100 people in Pennsylvania state parks before being caught. Six other gang members were sentenced prior to Russ.[4][5]

See also

External links

Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by:
Robert Herman
Middle District of Pennsylvania
1982–1994
Seat #3T
Succeeded by:
James Munley