The 2024 NGCRC 27th International Gang Specialist
Training Conference (Aug. 5 - August 7, 2024):
A Look at the Presenters
Last Updated: July 26, 2024
Rina Arita
Rina Arita is currently employed with Loudon County Department of Family Services (DFS) where she has served as a family support specialist since October 2020. Mrs. Arita provides short-term, family-focused intensive case management to prevent child abuse/neglect. She provides crisis intervention, referral for services and collaboration with community agencies to assist them in developing and implementing treatment plans. The goal is to ensure the safety of children and youth in their homes, connect families with needed services and resources, and ensure all efforts are made to preserve the family unit. She provides support by coordinating and facilitating family-focused intensive support meetings and case management services. This can include attending school meetings, WrapAround Meetings, Interdisciplinary Team Meetings, Child and Family Team Meetings, and referring to Family Partnership Meetings. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University Nacional Autonoma de Honduras.
Curtis Artis
I am the City of Danville’s Asst. Violence Prevention Manager of Project Imagine which is a nationally recognized community violence collaborative model. I am a certified gang specialist with over 20 years of lived experience. Also, I have been a Peer Recovery Specialist for the past 6 years. Over the course of this time, I have assisted individuals who desire to change their lives accomplish their goal. As a member of the local reentry council, I have dedicated my life to providing opportunities for those in need of resources as they journey towards success. I hold a bachelor’s in criminal justice/sociology. I am the author of Leading By Example: Credible Messenger Basics. This is a guide to a structural approach to developing relationships with at risk youth.
Sally-Ann Ashton, Ph.D.
Sally-Ann Ashton is a Psychologist and Research Scientist at the Texas Juvenile Crime Prevention Center at Prairie View A&M University. She has an Mphil in Criminological Research (University of Cambridge, England) and an M.S.c. in Investigative Psychology (University of Huddersfield, England). Her Ph.D. investigated the psychological and social risk factors associated with gang membership, group offending and desistance from crime. She was a recipient of a Frederick Milton Thrasher Award in 2017 for superior accomplishments in gang research and in 2020 for superior accomplishments in gang training.
Corporal Jim Bailey
Corporal Jim Bailey has been with the Battle Creek Police Department for over 13 years, and has been assigned to the Battle Creek Police Department Gang Suppression Unit for over 6 years. Corporal Bailey has been directly involved in many of the same gang investigations as Detective Sutherland, and has assisted as one of the lead investigators with Detective Sutherland, on many of the same violence crime investigations. Corporal Bailey has also been involved in cell phone investigations, writing and executing search warrants, surveillance techniques, undercover drug buys, and managing confidential informants. Corporal Bailey has been recognized in Michigan State District Court and Circuit Court as an expert in drug trafficking and drug investigations, identifying armed subjects, and cell phone site analyses. Corporal Bailey is currently a K-9 handler for the Battle Creek Police Department and is a member of the department’s Emergency Response Team. He is a Defensive Tactics Instructor and a Patrol Training Officer for the Battle Creek Police Department. He has also received Instructor certification for Active Shooter Response for Civilians, through the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Center at Texas State University.
Andy Bain, Ph.D.
Andy Bain is an assistant professor of Criminal Justice Studies at Westminster College, PA. He holds a Ph.D. in Offender Behavior, a Msc. Criminal Justice and a Graduate Diploma in Psychology. Andy has authored, and edited numerous books, chapters, and articles, on the outlaw motorcycle gangs; law enforcement and technology; and, professional risk working with mental health, social care, and criminal justice, publishing with a number of leading international academic and professional journals. His professional background includes four years with the National Probation Service (England & Wales) and six years running a successful Criminal Justice Consultancy Group, providing guidance and advice to law enforcement agencies and correctional bodies. This, in turn led to the publication of a number of local and national policing and corrections reports.
Sue Ann D. Ballat, MPA
SueAnn D. Ballat has an MPA degree and she serves as the Executive Director of the Gang Alternatives Program in Los Angeles, California.. She was a fellow at the “GPSN: Catalyzing Excellence in Public Education” in Los Angeles, CA.
SA Dino Balos
ATF Special Agent Dino Balos is a 26-year federal law enforcement officer. He is a certified ATF instructor who has investigated hundreds of firearms, explosives, and arson cases – many of which were supported by reliable confessions as evidence – and has testified concerning confessions or admission made to him as part of the prosecution’s case-in-chief. S/A Balos is assigned to the ATF Tampa Field Division. Other duty assignments include the ATF Boston Field Division’s Arson & Explosives Group and the U.S. Bomb Data Center at ATF Headquarters in Washington, DC. Prior to ATF, he was a special agent at the Office of the Inspector General investigating fraud, waste, and abuse in programs administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Det. Nicholas Bocik
Nicholas Bocik is a Detective with the Toledo Police Department in Toledo, Ohio.
Hiag Brown is the co-director at the Portland OIC Community Care Team. Hiag began working with POIC+RAHS in 2011 as an Outreach Worker and has developed strong relationships with the community and partner organizations. Hiag became the Trauma and Violence Family Coordinator in 2020, providing resources for victims of community violence such as relocation, rental assistance, funeral assistance, and much more. A Credible Messenger, Hiag was born and raised in NE Portland and received his bachelor’s degree in social sciences from Portland State University.
Hiag Brown
Hiag Brown is the co-director at the Portland OIC Community Care Team. Hiag began working with POIC+RAHS in 2011 as an Outreach Worker and has developed strong relationships with the community and partner organizations. Hiag became the Trauma and Violence Family Coordinator in 2020, providing resources for victims of community violence such as relocation, rental assistance, funeral assistance, and much more. A Credible Messenger, Hiag was born and raised in NE Portland and received his bachelor’s degree in social sciences from Portland State University.
Vanessa Collazo
Vanessa Collazo has a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Criminal Justice, majoring in Administration. She works at the Gang Alternatives Program in Los Angeles, California. Her special area of prevention work consists of being the Site Coordinator for the Step Up! Afterschool program.
Aaron Cunningham
Aaron Cunningham has (25) years of law enforcement experience and retired a 24-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department last assigned to CPIC Fusion Center, Bureau of Counter Terrorism & Special Operations. He is a highly decorated officer with extensive gang experience and past assignments to USATF PSN Task Force, Area Gun Team, Tactical Teams, District Intelligence Officer, and Patrol. His experience entailed joint activity with Federal, State, Local partner agencies, task force, and HIDTA/OCDEFT operations.
Past performance also includes organization of large format platform-based training events to include the 1st and 2nd International Counter-Terrorism Conference (2012, 2013) for National-level components with intelligence, defense, and police agencies hosted by the Korean National Police Agency, South Korea. Aaron further led an officer survival project, Uso Tactico de la Fuerza y Supervivencia Policial, over (7) years for more than (950) members of El Salvador’s Policia Nacional Civil.
Joshua Davis, M.S. Ed.
Joshua Davis, Team Lead Instructor, Pathfinders Resources, Inc, Danville, VA, is a highly experienced professional in educational development, with a strong focus on onboard training, activity coordination, and youth development. With five dedicated years in the field, his expertise primarily revolves around devising innovative solutions to improve educational access, quality, and outcomes. He possesses extensive experience in developing and implementing educational programs that inspire and equip the young individuals, promoting lifelong learning and elevating their potential. Driven by a passionate commitment to nurturing the positive development of youths, particularly those at risk of juvenile delinquency, he has successfully created avenues that connect education with personal growth. He boasts a proven track record of designing impactful intervention strategies that steer young minds away from delinquency, fostering an environment that encourages intellectual and emotional growth. His mission is to provide sustainable, empowering, and transformative educational solutions that strategically drive personal and societal change.
Kenneth Davis
Kenneth Davis retired from the Yonkers Police Department in July of 2017. From 1985-1990 he was assigned to uniformed patrol (task force and public housing) and plainclothes (street-level and undercover narcotics). From 1990-2000 he worked street gangs, graffiti crimes and police academy. From 2000-2009 he was assigned to several middle/high schools as a school resource officer. In 2009 - 2017, as a detective, he continued investigating street gangs, narcotics (search warrants) and graffiti crimes. As the departments liaison, he assisted the YMCA’s Cure Violence/SNUG Program and the Westchester County Department of Corrections Re-entry Program. From 2017-present, he is a NYS private investigator and a graffiti/gang specialist presenting at various regional, national, and international conferences.
Det. Pete Delatorre
Pete Delatorre is an investigator with the Richmond Hill Police Department. He is in his 24th year in law enforcement with most of the time spent working plain clothes assignments working narcotics, gangs, and violent crime investigations. He has the basic gang investigations certificate and has investigated numerous street gangs in his career.
Dr. Daniel Adrian Doss, Ph.D.
Dr. Daniel Adrian Doss, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Cybersecurity, Johnston
School of Business, at the University of Tennessee. His research interests include cybersecurity
and cybercrime, criminal justice, and higher education. His career has spanned both periods in
the defense and commercial sectors. He earned his doctorate from Jackson State University.
LaRon Douglas, Sr.
LaRon Douglas is a certified gang specialist and a CVI consultant from Cleveland, Ohio. He is the founder and executive director of the Renounce Denounce Gang Intervention Program which was founded in 2014. As a former gang leader he understands the pittfalls that our youth have to endure and knows what it takes to decrease gun and gang violence in our communities.
Jacqueline Espejo
Jacqueline Espejo, Redirectional Specialist, 4 years of experience.
Dr. Gregg W. Etter Sr., Ed.D.
Dr. Gregg W. Etter Sr., Ed.D. is a Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Central Missouri. He retired as a Lieutenant with the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office after serving from 1977 to 2006. He is rated as a gang expert by the National Gang Crime Research Center. He has written extensively and presented classes on gangs, white supremacist groups and police management topics in the United States and Canada. Dr. Etter earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Wichita State University and his Doctorate degree from Oklahoma State University. Dr. Etter is the author of numerous books, book chapters, edited and refereed articles. His latest book is: Gangs and Organized Crime which he authored with Dr. George W. Knox and Dr. Carter F. Smith.
Christopher M. Felton, MS
Christopher M. Felton, MS is a detective sergeant from the Fort Wayne (IN) Police Department’s Gang and Violent Crimes Unit. Additionally, Det. Sgt. Felton is the team coordinator for the department’s Peer Support/Critical Incident Stress Management Team, represents the department on the Indiana Statewide CISM Team Network, and is a member of the Northeast Indiana Critical Incident Stress Management Team. Det. Sgt. Felton holds two master’s degrees (A Master of Science in Criminal Justice with a concentration on Forensic Psychology and a Master of Philosophy) and is a Ph.D. candidate currently writing his dissertation for his Ph.D. in Criminal Justice - Law and Public Policy. Det. Sgt. Felton is also an adjunct professor at two local universities where he teaches courses revolving around forensic psychology, and teaches police mental health to police officers.
Luis Flores-Montalvo
Luis Flores-Montalvo is a decorated 29 year veteran of El Salvador’s Policia National Civil including ten years with the Grupo Maritimo Policial (GMP) where he conducted interagency work with DEA. Luis is an accomplished in-service training instructor with long term roles in specialized training. He is currently involved in an Officer Survival training project with El Salvador’s Policia Nacional Civil (PNC). He is also a recipient of the Frederic Milton Thrasher Award from the NGCRC.
Brother Jim Fogarty, M.Div.
Br. Jim Fogarty has worked with gangs on the streets and in jail since 1987 and serves as the Executive Director of Brothers and Sisters of Love (BSL). BSL is a Catholic organization that has worked with gangs on the streets and in jail since 1983. He holds a Master’s in Divinity from Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, Illinois (1990) and five summers course work from the Institute for Black Catholic Studies Xavier University New Orleans Louisiana (1989-1993).
Kali Gardner, JD
Kali Gardner is currently an Assistant Hennepin County Attorney in the Adult Prosecution Division of violent crimes as a Gang Specialist trial attorney. She has ten years of state prosecution experience and personally approaching 70 jury trials and the prosecution of thousands of defendants for all types of felony level violent crimes. She uses gang statutes and expert gang testimony to explain motive and gang culture in Minneapolis leading to successful conviction of gang members from multiple hybrid gangs, Bloods, Vice lords, Crips, Native Mob, Black P. Stones, Gangster Disciples and more.
Mia Golden
Mia Golden is a youth and family counsellor with over 25 years of experience. She began her career in a blue-collar town in Northern British Columbia known for its violence and motorcycle club presence and now works in Victoria, the Province’s Capital city. Golden has worked with youth, victims of violence, parents, sex offenders, victims of exploitation, victims of intimate partner violence, and gangs.
FBI SA Mark Gripka
FBI Special Agent Mark Gripka has 20 years of law enforcement experience as a Special Agent assigned to the Southern border of Texas and Norfolk, Virginia. SA Gripka has extensive experience working RICO and Continuing Criminal Enterprise investigations focusing on gangs and violent drug trafficking organizations.
John Hetey
John Hetey has been the Gang Response and Intervention Team (GRIT) Coordinator in Loudoun county since 2010. He coordinates the Loudon County gang prevention and intervention program, collaborates with law enforcement to identify emerging gang trends in the County and Region and works closely with the Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force and the Human Trafficking Task Force. John also provides Gang Awareness and Human Trafficking presentations to the community throughout Northern Virginia. He supervises the Post Dispositional Program and Sex Offender Program and is the Probation and Parole Supervisor of the Supervised Released Program (SRP), which deals with offender in the community placed on house arrest and electronic monitoring. He completed his undergraduate work at the State University of New York at Plattsburgh in criminal justice and received his graduate degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in Counseling.
Aspen Hockley
Ms. Aspen Hockley is an undergraduate student of Criminal Justice and Criminology at the University of Central Missouri. She is a member of the American Criminal Justice Association/Lamda Alpha Epsilon competitive team for UCM.
Deputy Noah Holland
Deputy Noah Holland has worked for the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office for 7 years. He has been member of the Gang Intelligence Unit (Corrections Division) and Cell Extraction Team for 6 years. During that time, he has developed various skills and techniques investigating gang related violence in a corrections setting as well as identifying gang related tattoos and graffiti, interviewing gang members, and utilizing open-source platforms to identify gang members.
ATF Agent Lee Hoover
ATF Agent Lee Hoover is an accomplished ATF agent with 21 years of experience managing complex, multi-jurisdictional crimes of violence including arson and explosives offenses, armed career criminals, organized crime, and the unlawful use, manufacture and possession of firearms. She is also a Certified Fire Investigator and a member of ATF’s National Response Team.
Janice Joseph, Ph.D.
Janice Joseph, Ph.D. is a professor of the Criminal Justice Program at Stockton University. She is the Editor for Journal of Ethnicity in Criminal Justice. She earned her Ph.D. degree from York University in Toronto, Canada. She is the author of the book: Black Youths, Delinquency, and Juvenile Justice; and she co-edited the book With Justice for All: Minorities and Women in Criminal Justice; and she has published numerous articles on delinquency, gangs, violence against women, and minorities and crime. She has earned a Frederic Thrasher Award for her research on gangs and has successfully completed several gang specialist training programs at the National Gang Crime Research Center. She was elected to be the president of the World Society of Victimology (WSV) and gives her presidential speech during the 17th International Symposium of the WSV being held in San Sebastian, Spain in June, 2023.
George W. Knox, Ph.D.
George Knox earned his Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Chicago. He has extensive field experience with gangs, including interviewing gang members, gang leaders, and gang victims. He has taught in the field of criminal justice and sociology. He serves as the Executive Director of the National Gang Crime Research Center. He was the author of the first full textbook on gangs (An Introduction to Gangs) and other books and monographs on gang topics. His research interests include how to deal with gang problems in probation/parole, juvenile corrections, adult corrections, and gang threat analysis — examining the gang as a unit of social organization.
Maggie E. Koch, JD
Maggie E. Koch JD is an assistant prosecutor with the Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office, in Toledo, OH. She is responsible for the prosecution of all levels of felony offenses in the adult criminal division, both as first and second chair.
Jennifer Kooyoomjian, MA, MPA
Mrs. Jennifer Kooyoomjian is the Gang Response Intervention Team (GRIT) Coordinator for the 31st Juvenile Court Service Unit in Prince William County, Virginia. She earned her masters’ degrees in Education and Public Administration at George Mason University. In her prior position, she was an Intensive Probation Officer for over 15 years. She has assisted in developing the Court Service Unit Gang Management Team Program. She is a member of the Virginia Gang Investigators Association. She has been certified in several areas by the NGCRC. Her training includes over 40 hours through the FBI National Academy’s class entitled “Gangs, Developmental Issues, and Criminal Behavior”. Having received several awards for her work, she continues to facilitate and support interagency cooperation, community education, and trauma informed care in order to meet the needs of high risk youth.
Kevin Kreuser
Kevin Kreuser, B.S., Psychology, Loyola University of Chicago; 17 years as a Probation Officer — Cook County, ILL. Juvenile Court.
Lawrence Lujan
Lawrence Lujan has led a distinguished (33) year career with the El Paso Police Department (EPD) since 1990. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy (Class 274), and a past Chief Judge, Pueblo at National American Indian Court Judges Association. Lawrence served as Gang Unit Lieutenant, Gang Unit field officer, and tactical team experience with EPD SWAT, Mountain Rescue, and Anti-Burglary. Lawrence has worked alongside the Policia National Civil with ITTA’s ongoing Officer Survival Project ‘Uso Tactica de la Fuerza y Sobrevivencia Policial’.
Det. Jim MacIntosh
Detective Jim MacIntosh is an Investigator with the Collingdale Borough PD (Delaware County PA), where he has specialized in gun violence and gang activity, particularly in tracking criminal activity through social media. Detective MacIntosh is also cross-designated as a county wide narcotics officer and a member of the SWAT team.
Gord Magee
Gord Magee is a police officer with the Victoria Police Department in Victoria, BC Canada. He started his career in Scotland in 1996 first in Kilmarnock, then downtown Glasgow and was part of the Strathclyde Police Pipe Band. In 2003, Magee moved back to Victoria and joined the Victoria Police Department where he has worked in patrol, coordinator of the Con Air Program, Crowd Management Unit, Bikes and Beats Unit, and now with MYST.
Juan Maldonado
Juan Maldonado will present with Mr. Newman. Juan is the head outreach worker at SISU in Lawrence, Masssachusetts. Through his lived experience, he will provide valuable insight into the Trinitarios gang and out case studies.
Dr. David H. McElreath, Ph.D.
Dr. David H. McElreath, Ph.D., is a professor of Legal Studies at the University of Mississippi. He is the former chair of the Legal Studies Department at the University of Mississippi. He retired as a Colonel from the United States Marine Corps and served as adjunct faculty at the United States Marine Corps University. Dr. McElreath also is a former law enforcement and corrections officer. Dr. McElreath earned his B.P.A. and M.C.J. at the University of Mississippi. He is a graduate of the Unites States Army command and General Staff College and the United States Army War College and his Ph.D. at the University of Southern Mississippi. Dr. McElreath is the author of numerous books, book chapters and refereed articles.
Deputy District Attorney Laurie Moore
Deputy DA Laurie Moore has 14 years of prosecutorial experience in Philadelphia, Bucks and Delaware Counties. She currently supervises the Organized Crime and Narcotics Divisions at the Delaware County DA’s Office. Deputy DA Moore oversees all gang and gun violence investigations and prosecutions including firearms offenses, drug trafficking, and homicides in Sector 4.
Roy Moore
Roy Moore is the Director of the Portland OIC Community Care Team. Under his leadership, the POIC Healing Hurt People program serves 3 hospitals across the Portland, OR metro area, advocating for patients and helping to bridge the gap with hospital staff to help families navigate the resources needed to recover after traumatic events. His team of credible messengers works alongside the City of Portland and Multnomah County to be a vital part of the solution to increased gun violence. Roy has served on the Portland Police Bureau Accountability Committee, and the City of Portland Youth Violence Prevention Committee, and was a presenter at the 2023 HAVI (Health Alliance for Violence Intervention) Conference. He is recognized as a national leader for his work in Community Violence and Hospital-Based Intervention and spearheading Medicaid billing for sustainability and longevity.
Marilia Tellex Nava
Marilia Tellex Nava graduated with honors from George Mason University with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology, Law, and Society, laying the foundation for her career in criminal justice. Recognized as a leading gang intervention expert, she has certification as a gang specialist through the Virginia Gang Investigators Association where she has been a member since 2016. Beyond her daily duties, she actively engages in initiatives combating youth delinquency and exploitation. She continues to demonstrate commitment fo academic and professional growth by obtaining additional certifications, including as a Certified REAL Colors Facilitator, a Certified Crossroads Facilitator, and a Certified Instructor for the Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) Program. Her biography reflects her resilience, compassion, and commitment to justice, inspiring individuals to create brighter futures in their communities and beyond.
Mark Newman, JD
Mark Newman is currently the community engagement coordinator at SISU. He retired from the Massachusetts Juvenile Court after 20 years on the bench. He served as First Justice of the Lawrence Juvenile Court where he led community efforts to reduce violence and provide positive youth development opportunities. He is an advocate in the Lawrence community for the use of outreach workers to address gang violence. He currently promotes restorative justice practices in the community and schools to support at risk youth. Mark Newman served for eight years in the Boston District Attorney’s office where he prosecuted many homicide cases and headed the drug unit. Mr. Newman has taught and lectured on juvenile justice and criminal justice subjects at Merrimack College, University of Massachusetts/Lowell, and Cambridge College.
Mayra Nunez
For over 20 years, Mayra Nunez has been a liaison between law enforcement and the community. She has worked with various police departments such as the San Diego County Probation Department, National City Police Department, and currently the San Diego Police Department. Her experience with street gangs comes from a lived experience along with working in the prevention and intervention field. She has earned a masters degree in psychology with an emphasis on human behavior and has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a minor in human services. Mayra has been a guest speaker in conferences such as International Latino Gang Investigators Association (ILGIA), Southern California Gang Conference (SCGC), Riverside County Gang Investigators Association (RCGIA), and California School Resource Officers Association (CSROA) among others.
Sgt. Bryan Oato
Sgt. Bryan Oato, Honolulu Police Department, Honolulu, HI.
Chukwemeka Okonmah
Chukwuemeka Okonmah has always had a passion for working with youth and providing critical services. For the last 14 years I have worked in the capacity as caseworker for the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center. I have also worked as a direct care provider for the youth in detention. I have had the opportunity to work in many capacities in the facility including Resident Internal Affairs which has increased my knowledge base in gang culture and my skills at conflict resolution. I hold a BS in History from Southern Illinois University Carbondale as well as an MS in Rehabilitation Administration from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
Deepa Patel, MSW
Deepa Patel is the Co-Founder of Trauma and Hope. Trauma and Hope specifically focuses towards survivors of violence, sexual exploitation, gang prevention and intervention, and sex offender evaluations and treatment. Deepa is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Certified Sex Offender Treatment Provider, and a Gang Specialist through the National Gang Crime Research Center. She is a dynamic clinician who has developed an expertise in treating non-voluntary clients, specifically juvenile and adult gang members, survivors of sexual trauma, and sex offenders. Deepa draws from a range of therapeutic approaches to support individual and families. She specializes in developmental trauma, complex trauma and mood disorders. She uses trauma-focused modalities to support traumatized individuals and families. Deepa is clinically trained in modalities such as Havening, EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), ad Dialectal Behavioral Therapy (DBT). She has extensive experience in the field of trauma and has been in the field since the early 2000's. Most recently, Deepa was selected for the Virginia Commission on Human Trafficking formed by Governor Youngkin to enhance services for survivors, increase response from law enforcement and prosecution and enhance prevention education.
Ricky Pickens
Ricky Pickens is a professional gang intervention specialist/consultant in Los Angeles County. Raised in Pasadena, CA, a city claimed by one of the oldest blood gangs in Southern California. Ricky grew up in the 1980's during the crack cocaine epidemic, and during the height of gang and gun warfare. Living in a gang-impacted community as a young person, Ricky witnessed many of his friends and family die due to gang violence or serve long prison stints due to violent crimes. Ricky was resilient and determined not to find himself dead, in prison, or on drugs. For 23 years and counting, Ricky has committed his life to serving gang-impacted youth. Recognized for his involvement on the syndicated television programs Gangland One Blood sharing his knowledge of gangs, Ricky’s experience, leadership, and advocacy efforts in the gang intervention arena have placed him in high demand. Ricky’s services have transformed the lives of many high-risk youth.
Danny Polo
Bachelor’s degree Psychology. Law enforcement for 30 years. Detective 2016-present, Broward County units in chronological order) Tactical Deployment, Crime Suppression, Organized Crime, Gang Investigations. Task Force Officer, United States Drug Enforcement Administration, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and Explosives. Advanced Gang Specialist with the Florida Gang Investigators Association, hundreds of hours of training in criminal gangs, organized crime, and money laundering. Presenter at the 2019 Attorney General’s FCPT program. Presenter at Broward College Institute of Public Safety, trained State Attorney’s Office prosecutors in Career Criminal and 10-20-life Units. Received the Florida Gang Investigators Association Investigator of the Year Award, and DEA Miami Field Division Task Force Officer Award for local impact. Testified in a Bloods gang member attempt murder trial as a Subject Matter Expert and got conviction for Gang Enhancement proving the crime was committed in furtherance of the gang. Selected as Subject Matter Expert on high profile rapper and bloods gang member Jarnell Demons “YNW MELLY” double homicide trial.
Det. Vincent Port
Detective Vincent Port works at the Delaware County (PA) CID Homicide Unit. Detective Port was previously employed by the city of Philadelphia as an officer in the Criminal Intelligence Unit. Detective Port has been investigating and successfully prosecuting gang crime for the last 10 years. He also proudly holds his mountain bike patrol officer’s certificate.
Ana Portillo
Ana Portillo is currently is currently employed with Loudon County Department of Family Services (DFS) where she has served as a family support specialist since November 2021. She works with parents and youth, 11-17 years of age, who are experiencing challenges in parent-child communication, running away, failing grades, truant and poor school attendance, substance abuse, human trafficking concerns, and other at-risk behaviors. Her goal is to help and strengthen parental and family relationships through prevention, education, and supportive case management services. These services are offered within a strengths-based, trauma-informed, and protective/promotive factors framework. Ms. Portillo provides support by coordinating and facilitating family-focused intensive support meetings and case management services. She is a member of he Loudon County Youth Trafficking Prevention Task Force and is co-chair of the Community Education and Training committee. She received her BSW from Radford University and is currently pursuing her MSW.
Casey Rosales, MSW, LCSW
Casey Rosales is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) located in the northern Virginia area. She specializes in trauma-informed care, gang intervention, and youth services. Casey began her career in 2015 as a Juvenile Probation Counselor with the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court where she worked with youth and families on pretrial court supervision assisting families in connecting with resources and staying safe while awaiting adjudication. Casey has worked primarily in neighborhoods with a heavy gang presence and specialized in working with clients involved with gangs and human trafficking. She is clinically trained in modalities such as EMDR, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). Casey holds an M.S. in Social Work from Boston University.
Mitchel P. Roth, Ph.D.
Mitchel P. Roth, Ph.D. is Professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Sam Houston State University. His areas of interest include global organized crime and gangs, history of crime and punishment, mass murder and serial homicide. His many books include, Power on the Inside: A Global History of Prison Gangs (2020), Fire in the Big House: The Worst Prison Disaster in American History (2019), The Illicit Economy in Turkey (with Mahmut Cengiz)(2019), An Eye for An Eye: A Global History of Crime and Punishment (2015) and Convict Cowboys: The Untold History of the Texas Prison Rodeo (2016). His books have been translated into Chinese, Persian, Croatian and Turkish. He has been an instructor at the Zhejiang Police College from 2009 to 2019 and at the International Law Enforcement Academy (Roswell) from 2001-2009. In 2020, Dr. Roth was awarded the Frederic Milton Thrasher Award for Excellence in Gang Research.
Tom Schneider, M.S.
Tom Schneider, the moderator for this session, retired from the Cook County Illinois Juvenile Probation Department in January of 2013 after forty years on the street as a juvenile probation officer. He holds a BA degree from the University of Illinois Chicago in the Administration of Criminal Justice and a M.S. degree from Chicago State University in Correction and Criminal Justice. He is currently conducting Anger Management/Violence Prevention groups for juvenile probationers and is the Director of Project Lifeline, the Cook County Juvenile Court scholarship program.
Douglas L. Semark, Ph.D.
Douglas L. Semark, Ph.D.is a nonprofit leader with four decades of experience, including 17 years as Executive Director of the Gang Alternatives Program (GAP) in Los Angeles. Semi-retired, he now serves as Executive to the Board and Chief Learning Officer. He provides gang and violence prevention professional development for K-12 school counselors; serves in various advisory capacities; such as the NGCRC, and works with local and national agencies in the areas of violence reduction and community rebuilding. He is currently the Director and lead instructor of the Gangfree Life Academy®.
Elvis Slaughter, M.S.
Criminologist Elvis Slaughter served as a fire and police commissioner, and is a retired Cook County Sheriff’s Superintendent with more than thirty years’ experience in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement. Slaughter holds a Master’s in Criminal Justice and Corrections. He has authored several articles and ten books, which include Safer Jail and Prison Matters, Mentally Ill Inmates and Corrections, and Preschool to Prison. Elvis is a speaker, security consultant, and correctional auditor. He is also a member of the American Jail Association, American Correctional Association, Hammond Police Citizen Advisory Commission, National Sheriff’s Association, Illinois Sheriff’s Association, and former president of he Illinois Academy of Criminology. Elvis taught criminal justice at the college level.
Larry Slayton Jr., B.Ed.
Larry Slayton Jr., B.Ed., Team Trainer, Pathfinders Resources, Inc, Danville, VA, is a dedicated professional with a strong background in educational development, gang training, field coordination, youth development, and juvenile delinquency. With five years of experience, he has passionately worked towards making a positive impact on young lives by developing and implementing effective strategies to support at-risk youth in achieving their full potential. Through out his career, he has successfully coordinated and delivered various educational programs aimed at reducing juvenile delinquency rates and steering troubled youth towards a more positive path. He possesses a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by at-risk populations and excels in developing tailored interventions and mentoring programs to address heir specific needs.
Deputy Garfrey Smith
Deputy Garfrey Smith has worked at the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office for over 8 years, where he has been part of the Gang Intelligence Unit and Cell Extraction Team. Before his time at the Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Smith had worked at various Juvenile Detention Centers which was the start of his professional experience interviewing and identifying gang members. Deputy Smith has learned how to use various interview techniques to conduct interviews with gang members to get vital information to assist in arrest or helping with safety and security of the facility.
Michelle Smith
Michelle Smith is the Superintendent of the Loudoun County Youth Services Center (YSC) in Leesburg, VA. The YSC is comprised of a 20 bed Juvenile Detention Center, a 16 bed staff secure Youth Shelter and Youth and Family Resource Center. She works with delinquent youth detained by the court as well as youth placed in alternative program providing them a wide range of services with the goal of providing the youth support and guidance in order for them to become productive citizens. She has worked in the youth services field for over 30 years. She works very closely with partners within Loudoun County government, law enforcement, as well as community partners to develop and implement solutions to address juvenile justice concerns. She has chaired the Loudoun County Youth Prevention Task Force for the last 7 years. Her mantra is “we don’t have bad youth we have youth who made bad choices and it is our job to teach them how to make good choices while we have them”.
Deborah Spencer-Chun, MSW
Deborah Spencer-Chun, MSW has been with the agency for 36 years, 20 in direct services. She has co-authored two books: (1) Toward a Gang Solution: The Redirectional Method, and (2) Turning it Around: Redirectional Therapy. She is a member of several working groups which include the Women Prison’s Project, Visitor’s Public Safety Committee, Family Reunification Working Group, Workforce Developmental Council-Youth Services Committee, and the Juvenile Justice Oversight Advisory Committee.
Det. Tyler Sutherland
Detective Tyler Sutherland has been a police officer for the Battle Creek Police Department for over 13 years. He is currently assigned to the Battle Creek Police Detective Bureau, and was previously assigned to the Gang Suppression Unit for over 6 years. As a member of the Gang Unit, Detective Sutherland was directly involved as the lead investigator in a number of gang, and violent crime, cases that resulted in courtroom trials and jury convictions. While participating in all aspects of gang investigations and court room prosecution, Detective Sutherland has been qualified as, and testified as, a gang expert in the U.S. District court and Michigan State Circuit and District Court, more than 15 times in the last five years. One of these gang cases, was the first criminal gang enhancement jury conviction in the State of Michigan since the state statute was created. He is also recognized in circuit and district court as an expert in Drug Trafficking and Drug Investigations. A Defensive Tactics Instructor, and Patrol Training Officer, he has also received Instructor certification for Active Shooter Response for Civilians, through the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Center at Texas State University.
Captain Philip J. Swift, Ph.D.
Mr. Swift, Ph.D. is a husband, father, and a 23-year law enforcement veteran. Since April of 2018, Mr. Swift has served as the Fort Worth City Marshal. Prior to becoming the City Marshal, Mr. Swift rose to the rank of Captain in the Denver Sheriff Department. During his law enforcement career he served as a City Marshal, Director of Security, Watch Commander, FTO Commander, Gang/Intelligence Unit Commander, K-9 Unit Commander, Internal Affairs Bureau Investigator, Conduct Review Office Sergeant, Emergency Response Unit member and Sergeant, Court Services Sergeant, and as Adjunct Training Academy Instructor. Mr. Swift holds a MS and Ph.D. in Forensic Psychology from Walden University and has also received dual MBA’s and a BS in Criminal Justice from American International University. Mr. Swift is a published author (Gangs, Outlaw Bikers, Organized Crime & Extremists; Looseleaf Law Publishing), a contributor to Inside Police Psychology: policepsychologyblog.com, and is frequently asked to speak locally and nationally on topics related to gang, criminal, inmate, and law enforcement culture, forensic psychology, and jail gang investigations.
Michael Tabarrok, JD
Michael Tabarrok is the Assistant Attorney General 3, Office of Attorney General Chris Barr, Prosecution Division, Gangs, Atlanta, Georgia. Having been a prosecutor for 24 years around the State of Georgia and Guam, (with a brief stint as a criminal defense attorney in the middle of his career for 3 years), he specializes in the prosecution of gangs, murders, and drugs, as well as asset forfeitures and special prosecutions. Using RICO, gang statutes, forfeitures, and Federal referrals, he brings novel approaches to attacking gang problems.
Siutiti Takai
Siutiti Takai, Director of Redirectional Services, 6 years of experience.
Lisa Tamashiro
Lisa Tamashiro, Director of Operations & Special Programs, 13 years of experience.
FBI SA Justin Terry
FBI Special Agent Justin Terry has 14 years of law enforcement experience as a police Detective, Task Force Officer, and Special Agent, and is currently assigned to the FBI Norfolk Field Office. SA Terry has extensive experience working violent crime and criminal enterprise cases, with an emphasis on using technical resources to enhance investigations.
Dr. Martha Wall-Whitfield
Dr. Martha Wall-Whitfield is an educator from Little Rock, Arkansas where she is currently the Principal at the state’s largest juvenile facility for incarcerated youth. During her time in Arkansas, she also has been the District Principal for Rite of Passage, overseeing all correctional education in the state. She taught for six years at the University level as an Assistant Professor for Averett University. She currently serves as an Adjunct for Arkansas State University, teaching in the school leadership program. Dr. Whitfield is a mom of five and a Mimi to three. She has been active in both her church as a Sunday School teacher and the community as a foster parent and foster parent trainer for the state.
Dr. John Z. Wang
Dr. John Z. Wang is a world renowned criminological expert on Asian gangs. He has done research with the NGCRC and he has taught at previous NGCRC gang training conferences. He is a California POST certified instructor since 2009. He is a full professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at California State University Long Beach where he teaches criminal justice, forensic sciences, transnational organized crime, and the investigation of high tech crimes. Since 2018 he has also been a fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.
Michael-Phillip Washington
Michael-Phillip Washington has found that being in the helping field has been a rewarding experience. Although rewards are not often monetized I have gained a lo of real world knowledge and skill sets to effectively work with youth. The current trends in gang culture have changed over the years but I have learned to keep my ears in the streets and build rapport with youth active in the gang culture. I have worked directly with the juvenile and youth charged as adults within the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center for 13 years. Understanding the needs and being able to tap into community resources that allow youth to make positive changes has been helpful.
Major David Whitley
Major David Whitley has 20 years experience working for the Danville Police Department, spending the first five in patrol, becoming sergeant in 2017 working on street crimes and gang homicide. He served as commander of the Civil Disturbance Unit and the Hostage Negotiations Team. He holds a Master of Arts degree. He has had a number of different special recognitions (Award for Lifesaving, VGIA Gang Investigator of the Year Team Award, Distinguished Service medal, Homicide Investigator of the Year Award, and more).
Alvis Williams
Alvis Williams, A.A. CJ & BS Psych, Chief Training Officer, Pathfinders Resources, Inc, Danville, VA, is an exceptional advocate for at-risk youth, dedicating his career to gang prevention and intervention. With over two decades of experience in the field, Alvis has become a trusted specialist in crisis intervention, collaborating closely with the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) to bring about meaningful change in the lives of young individuals. His expertise as a youth advocate allows him to connect with young people on a profound level, transforming their lives and redirecting them towards a path of success. Through his unique approach, he has successfully bridged the gap between communities and the justice system, fostering understanding and unity. In addition to his hands-on work with at-risk youth, he is deeply passionate about training and development. He firmly believes that empowering others with the knowledge and skills necessary to make a positive impact is crucial for creating lasting change. He has had the privilege of conducting numerous training sessions for professionals working in the field, equipping them with the tools and strategies needed to effectively engage and support at-risk youth.