Richard Rodriguez

Regional Coordinator/Transnational Organized Crime Advisor/Human Smuggling and Trafficking Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the Regional Border Intelligence Collaboration Center located in San Salvador, El Salvador. My primary responsibilities include providing oversight and strategic direction to a multi-national interagency task force comprised of 16 participating and collaborating countries joining forces to assist law enforcement efforts to combat transnational organized crime and associated networks operating throughout the western hemisphere. Exceptional leader and (federally retired) law enforcement manager within Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with a well-established track record of organizational accomplishments, including headquarters experience supervising matters that had an organization wide impact at national and international levels. Organized and resource oriented with 28 years of federal law enforcement experience (8 of those with the United States Secret Service), 2 years state law enforcement experience, and 6 years as a Department of Defense (DoD) Intelligence Analyst and Honorably Discharged U.S. Army Veteran. Expert knowledge in addressing a wide range of complex law enforcement disciplines vital to the Departments domestic and international mission. Native/Fluent Spanish speaker; Federally Certified Polygraph Examiner. Held Top Secret Security Clearance/SCI (Valid through 04/16/2021). I have represented my organization before external stakeholders, including but not limited to, top level federal, state, and foreign governmental officials. On September 30, 2019, retired honorably from federal service as a Special Agent/Senior Agency Representative with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations Directorate, International Operations. While serving internationally received U.S. Department of State, Meritorious Honor Award for exemplary skill and dedication while leading a team of U.S. and Hondurans Officials in making Honduras and the U.S. safer; and a Franklin Award for exceptional Liaison and dedication to duty in promoting U.S. Embassy’s and DHS HSI’s Law Enforcement mission. Identified, developed, and directed police reform and international affairs programs in Mexico, Central and South America, engaging international partners, influencing formulation and execution of national security policies, investigating the illicit movement of people and goods throughout the world. Managed combined budgets over $22 M. I have a strong reputation for integrity and dedication to keeping America safe. From 10/2019 through 04/2022, I worked as a POST Certified law enforcement/police officer in Florida and Tennessee where I served in the community policing program patrol division. 04/2022 through 07/2023, I worked for the State of Tennessee, Office of Inspector General as a Special Agent identifying, investigating, and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the State of Tennessee’s TennCare program. These investigations include, but not limited to, doctor shopping, drug diversion, and other eligibility issues. SELECT ACCOMPLISHMENTS: While serving most recently as the General Coordinator for the Regional Border Intelligence Collaboration Center, I led efforts to develop and implement the organizations first automated Data Request Management System, successfully processing over 300,000 Requests for Information, within 8-month period, and led collaborative efforts to seek the arrest of 492 subjects, facilitated the processing of 3,136 tactical intelligence reports, 117 intelligence reports, and 58 intelligence alerts. These recent efforts led to a special recognition by U.S. State Department with an award for Excellence in Service to the United States. My last duty assignment with the Federal Government was with the Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATFS), HSI Directorate – International Operations, with more than 10 years working in Mexico, Central and South America. Lead DHS HSI efforts, responsible for the department’s expansion and increased success in partner nation engagement, protecting the region and the U.S. In 2019, lead HSI at JIATFS to the collective disruption of 325 narcotics trafficking ventures; seizure of 225 Metric Tons (102,058 kilos) of cocaine with a street value of $ 3,900,300,000; seizure of 12 Metric Tons of Marijuana (26,456 pounds) with a street value of $ 23,541,400; and 699 arrests. In 2018, lead HSI at JIATFS to the collective disruption of 387 narcotics trafficking ventures; seizure of 273 Metric Tons (272,715 kilos) of cocaine with a street value of $ 5,454,300,000; seizure of 17 Metric Tons of Marijuana (37,412 pounds) with a street value of $ 35,541,400; and 822 arrests. Built ICE HSI Transnational Criminal Investigative Unit (TCIU) programs in Mexico, Central and South America to a strength of more than 300 vetted host government law enforcement officers, Immigration and Customs Officials with unpreceded transnational and regional police reform programs, operational cooperation, and investigations collaboration. Led HSI/Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Teams and more than 100 host government employees including vetted military and law enforcement officers to identify illegal migration routes into and through Central America implementing security plans to address the illicit migration threat. In fiscal year’s (FY) 12, 13, 14, and 15 conducted 185 seizure events, arrested 803 criminals, opened 414 investigations, trained 6,579 of our foreign host government counter parts and deported more than 120,000 illegal aliens back to Central America. Rescued over 1,900 child victims of trafficking and exploitation. Responsible for the extradition of OFAC designated Drug Kingpin “Carlos EL NEGRO Lobo” the first ever in the history of Honduras. Worked closely with U.S. Department of State (DOS), International Narcotics and Liaison Bureau (INL) Honduras to implement a robust police reform programs encompassing, preservation of natural resources, recruitment, vetting, public corruption, Interactions in diverse communities, criminal investigations, fundamentals of patrol, report writing, vulnerability/risk assessments, anti-gang/narcotics operations, operational planning, critical incident management, forensic services, resource management, community oriented policing programs, citizen security, and other critical outreach programs.