Pilot, Aviation Expert Witness

Expert Witness No. 2355

Virginia

POSITIONS HELD/HOLDING

2006 to present, Curriculum Project Manager, a business providing support to the Federal Government in a variety of disciplines (Contract to )
U.S. Dept. of State
Diplomatic Security
Anti-terrorism Assistance Program
CPM for the Homeland Security courses that are developed for delivery all over the world through the Anti-terrorism Assistance Program.  Courses include:  Airport Security Management, Quality Control in Civil Aviation Security, Border Control Management, Fraudulent Travel Documents, and seven (7) cyber investigative related courses.  Direct the development and/or revising of my courses, from the needs assessment through the “pilot” delivery in an overseas country.  Approve payments, direct, review interim work products and approve the final products for use by the Anti-terrorism Assistance Program.

2003 to 2006, SSA / CFA, Dept. of Homeland Security, Fairfax, VA
Immigration & Customs Enforcement
Cyber Crimes Center
Conducted computer forensic exams on over 100 cases from child pornography to terrorism and teach computer forensics to new and experienced agents in our academy.  Testified in state and federal court as an “expert” in cyber, corruption and drug related investigations.  Retired as a Senior Special Agent & Computer Forensic Agent on June 30, 2006.

2000 to 2003, SSA, U.S. Customs Service, El Paso, TX
Office of Investigations
Investigated civilians found to be violating federal law, also preformed computer forensic exams on several forms of digital media and provided expert witness reports and testimony.

1994 to 2000, SSA, U.S. Customs Service, El Paso, TX
Office of Internal Affairs
Investigated both criminal and civil offences committed by employees of the U.S. Customs Service, managed an undercover operation which found several employees violating federal law.

1988 to 1991, Aviation Safety Mgr., U.S. Customs Service OKC, OK
First National Aviation Safety Officer for Operations for the service during which the program grew from 89 to 435 pilots and from 69 to 135 aircraft.  Developed the first Aviation Operations Handbook for the U.S. Customs Service’s Aviation Program which is still in use today.  Designed the Aviation Hazard Notice Program where pilots and others could raise safety concerns anonymously.  This reporting system has specific time frames for management action/follow-up.  This system alone accounted for a 67% increase in communication between flight crews and management with an eighty (82%) reduction in aircraft incidents/accidents.  Investigated aircraft incidents and accidents for the service for and with the NTSB.

1986 to 1988, Customs Pilot, U.S. Customs Service, San Antonio, TX
Flew airplanes and helicopters on drug missions along the southwest border

1985 to 1986, Corp. Pilot, Oliver Realty, St. Louis, MO
Company pilot flying officials and customers to sites

1984 to 1985, Corp. Pilot, Medical Air Rescue Co., Rapid City, SD
Pilot for the central U.S. transporting patients and company officials

1979 to 1984, Police Officer, Joplin Police Dept., Joplin, MO
Patrolman/traffic officer, investigated accidents & testified in court 

1979, Safety Engineer, Boeing – Wichita Company, Wichita, KS
Primary system safety engineer for the KC-135 aircraft

1978 to 1979, Police Officer, Rolla Police Dept., Rolla, MO
Beat patrolman performing normal officer duties

1977 to 1978, Flight Instructor, Dickman Aviation, Rolla MO
Taught flying and acted as pilot-in-command for on demand charter flights

1976 to 1977
Flight Instructor, Central Missouri State University, Warrensburg, MO
Grad student and taught flying to beginning and licensed undergrad students

1972 to 1974
Manager, Phillips Funeral Home, Philippi, WV
After mother died, managed the family business until sold

1970 to 1972
Pharmacy Tech, Broaddus Hospital, Philippi, WV
Filled prescriptions under direction of pharmacist

FORMAL EDUCATION

1972
High School Diploma
Philip Barbour High School, Philippi, WV

B.S Degree in Professional Aviation
Minor in Speech Communication
Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Durant, OK

M.S. Degree in Aviation Safety
Central Missouri State University, Warrensburg, MO

1988 & 1989
Aviation Safety Certificate Degree
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA

1989 to 2001
55 hours of Doctorate of Education, (Ed.D.) in Aerospace Sciences
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

1978
Missouri State Highway Patrol
Law Enforcement Academy

Joplin Police Dept., Joplin, MO
Police Academy

Federal Criminal Investigator’s Course
Federal Law Enforcement Training Academy, Glynco, GA

Criminal Investigator Course
U.S. Customs Service Academy, Glynco, GA

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Aircraft Accident Investigators School
NTSB Academy, Oklahoma City, OK

Internal Affairs Special Agent Course
U.S. Customs Service Academy, Glynco, GA

Undercover Operatives School
U.S. Customs Service Academy, Glynco, GA

Seized Computer Evidence Recovery School (SCERS)
Treasury Computer Forensic Training Program

Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE)
International Association of Computer Investigative Specialist (IACIS)

Re-Certified as a CFCE with IACIS

TRAINING / TEACHING ASSIGNMENTS

National District Attorney Association & American Prosecutors Research Institute – Faculty/Instructor
Teach computer forensic and internet investigation related topics to prosecuting attorneys throughout the country.  Provide follow-up assistance with their child victim prosecution investigations.

Northern Virginia Community College – Adjunct Instructor
Teach beginning and experienced motorcycle rider courses for The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF)

DHS-ICE Academy
Teach/proctor at two one-month long Federal Computer Forensic Courses each year

U.S. Customs Service Academy
Taught 20+ classes on “Law Enforcement Integrity”
Taught classes on undercover operations

Certified Flight Instructor  (Airplanes – Helicopters & Instruments)
Taught several pilot students since becoming an instructor in 1975

Testified in several federal and state courts (including grand jury, preliminary and suppression hearings, and full jury trials)

Have made over 50+ presentations to various civic groups on subject ranging from aviation to law enforcement.

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS / MEMBERSHIPS

International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists, CFCE – Fellow
Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), Professional Member
Association of Former Customs Special Agents (AFCSA), Member

KEYWORDS