COLUMBIA, S.C. - U.S. Attorney Strom Thurmond Jr., the state's top federal prosecutor the past three years, says he will resign.

Thurmond, the son of late Sen. Strom Thurmond who died in 2003, told The (Columbia) State for Thursday editions he wants to return to private practice in Aiken, where he was born.

"It has been the highest of honors and the opportunity of a lifetime to have served in your administration," he wrote in his resignation letter to John Ashcroft last month. His last day will be Jan. 20.

Thurmond, 32, said he would join the firm of Smith, Massey and Brodie. "I guess we'll stick Thurmond in there somewhere," he said.

When Thurmond was nominated in 2001 at age 28, his youth and lack of experience raised eyebrows. He had tried just seven cases by himself as an assistant prosecutor in Aiken and had practiced law for only three years.

But his oversight in hiring 11 new attorneys and willingness to step aside won over at least one early skeptic.

"He knew when he needed to get involved and when to leave the lawyers alone," said John Barton, a prosecutor who served under seven U.S. attorneys before retiring in October. "He was 10 years old when I started working at the U.S. attorney's office, so I don't think there were many people more skeptical than I was."

But Barton, who joined the office in 1983, said Thurmond was "one of the best U.S. attorneys" the state has had.

"He showed wisdom and judgment far beyond his years," Barton said.

Thurmond said he would practice criminal and civil law, and probably become a lobbyist.

He said he was proud of participating in the state's first federal death penalty trials. Chadrick Fulks and Branden Basham each were sentenced to die for the kidnapping and carjacking of a Galivants Ferry woman. The pair were the first defendants in the nation to be sentenced to death without locating the victim's body, Thurmond said.

Some think he will have a political future, especially because of his name recognition. However, Thurmond said he was unsure about running for public office.

"I don't know. I've not made up my mind," Thurmond said. "I'm looking forward to returning to Aiken and immersing myself in the practice of law."

Attorney Jack Swerling, who defended Basham in the recent trial, had little doubt Thurmond would seek office.

"In my opinion, we have not seen the end of Strom. He will be back," Swerling said.

The Thurmond family drew national attention last year when Essie Mae Washington-Williams proclaimed she was the illegitimate biracial daughter of the late senator. The younger Thurmond has declined to discuss his relationship with Williams, but the family has acknowledged her claim.

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Information from: The State, http://www.thestate.com/