Rooted in more than 25 years of experience analyzing cartel violence, gang activity, regional instability, and security threats in Mexico and Central America, this regional security and transnational criminal organizations expert witness specializes in drug cartel operations, gang violence, regional threat assessments, travel security preparation, and risk analysis involving organized criminal groups and cross-border security concerns. The expert has prior experience providing consultations and courtroom testimony involving cartel activity, gang-related violence, regional security conditions, and immigration-related matters associated with deportation proceedings, asylum claims, and requests for withholding of removal under the Convention Against Torture. Additional expertise includes preparation of detailed threat assessments, briefing materials, talking points, training packages, and travel security guidance for individuals, organizations, and business operations involving travel or activity within high-risk regions. The expert is a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army and holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in History with specialization in Latin American Studies and Security Issues in the Americas, along with a Master of Arts degree in History, certificates in Latin American Studies and International Security Studies, and a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point. Military education also includes specialization studies in Homeland Security and Latin America through the U.S. Air War College and the U.S. Army School of the Americas.

Professional and academic experience includes faculty and leadership appointments involving Latin American history, regional security, military affairs, international relations, and geopolitical instability throughout the Americas. The expert has served in academic leadership and teaching roles at multiple universities, including responsibilities involving graduate studies administration and instruction in Latin American culture and society, U.S.-Latin American relations, the military in Latin America, and regional political and security dynamics. Research and analytical work has focused extensively on transnational criminal organizations, Central American gang violence, Mexican cartel activity, military affairs, intelligence issues, and regional instability affecting governmental interests, commercial activity, and public safety throughout Mexico and Central America. Additional experience includes preparation of intelligence-style briefings, security presentations, regional violence analysis, and country-condition assessments involving organized criminal activity, migration-related concerns, and violence patterns relevant to asylum and deportation-related proceedings. The expert has also held leadership positions within Latin American studies organizations, including service as President of the Pacific Coast Council on Latin American Studies and participation in executive committee, conference leadership, and scholarly review activities.

Research, publication, and media contributions include authorship of Drug Cartels and Gang Violence in Mexico and Central America: A Concise Introduction and Case Studies in Domestic and International Terrorist Organizations, along with peer-reviewed articles, encyclopedia contributions, edited academic volumes, and scholarly work involving Latin American military relations, intelligence activity, Cold War security dynamics, and regional violence. The expert has delivered invited lectures and conference presentations concerning Central American gang violence, Mexican cartel operations, the regional effects of the war on drugs, military-security relations in Latin America, and transnational criminal threats affecting the United States and neighboring regions. Media and public commentary experience includes appearances and interviews with the Biography Channel, History Channel, NBC News, the Associated Press, and other national media outlets involving Latin American political figures, military affairs, ethics in military leadership, and regional security issues. Additional professional involvement includes participation in the American Historical Association, International Studies Association, Latin American Studies Association, and related organizations focused on international affairs, intelligence studies, regional conflict, and geopolitical analysis.