Charles Leeroy Rhodes Jr.
Poolville,USA
Summary
Dynamic law enforcement professional with 15 years at the U.S. Forest Service, excelling in criminal investigations and interagency collaboration. Proven track record in evidence collection and report writing, successfully prosecuting complex cases. Adept at navigating high-pressure situations, ensuring public safety, and protecting natural resources through strategic operations and effective communication.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Law Enforcement Officer/Firearms Instructor
U.S. Forest Service
Caddo/LBJ National Grasslands & Forest, USA
07.2009 - Current
- I worked on the Caddo/LBJ National Grasslands and Forest for 15 years as a law enforcement officer.
- I conducted patrol and criminal interdiction operations within the forest.
- These interdiction operations were conducted on foot, patrol vehicle, ATV, boats, and air.
- I provided educational opportunities to Forest visitors to reduce incidents of criminal activity, increase public safety/awareness, and provide an increase in protection of natural resources.
- I applied experience, training, and knowledge to the investigation, detection, and apprehension of persons suspected of offenses against the United States and State of Texas, within my jurisdictional area.
- My responsibilities also included the following: Collaborating regularly with criminal investigators from other law enforcement agencies at the federal, state, and local levels.
- Communicating effectively in stressful situations while affecting arrests, serving warrants, vehicle, and foot pursuits, building entries, physical altercations, and while conducting other special operations.
- Writing comprehensive reports of investigation which clearly articulated facts and observations in chronological order.
- Writing and executing search and arrest warrant affidavits in the state court system, wrote geo-locate orders, property seizure packets, and other case documentation.
- Investigating civil cases involving government property, government employees, personal property, and private citizens.
- Writing all-inclusive law enforcement operation plans.
- Participating as a member of an arson investigatory taskforce comprised of federal, state, and local officers.
- Adhering to standard methodology when conducting wildland fire or arson investigations.
- Analyzing facts and information to develop leads and resolve the relationship between known facts and circumstantial or hearsay evidence.
- Successfully located, secured, and processed crime scenes.
- Collecting physical evidence, took crime scene photographs, and drew sketches.
- Processing numerous felony and misdemeanor crime scenes.
- Installing, servicing, and collecting evidence from covert electronic surveillance systems.
- Working in conjunction with the United States Attorney's office to prepare cases for prosecution.
- Deciding what investigatory information to disseminate to other agencies or personnel regarding on-going investigations based on the need to know.
- Using various investigatory approach to gain cooperation from diverse interview subjects.
- Testifying as a witness at trials, grand juries, suppression hearings, evidence discovery hearings, and other pre-trial hearings.
- Collaborating with prosecutors to ensure comprehensive criminal cases were properly prepared for prosecution in the federal, state, and local court systems.
- Enforcing Texas laws under CCP 2.112e, as a Special Investigator.
- Case openings (LEIMARS): I initiated 123 cases for serious misdemeanor and felony offenses while stationed on the Caddo/ LBJ National Forest.
- Many were complex investigations that required collaboration and coordination with other agencies and investigative resources for successful prosecutions.
- Successfully prosecuted 16 undocumented aliens with firearm cases (18 USC 922(g)) in cooperation with ICE, BATF, and the US Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Texas.
- Maximum sentence received 120 months. All deported from the United States at conclusion of incarceration.
- Successfully prosecuted numerous unlawful possessions of firearm by felons using delegated state authority in Wise County, Texas.
- Investigated as part of a wildland fire investigatory taskforce, a complex serial arson case where the principal was lighting fires in a 5-county area of West Texas.
- Successfully linked evidence from multiple police and fire departments to suspect. Case turned over to the State of Texas for prosecution.
- Investigated numerous complex wildland fire investigations as the lead investigator for a multi-agency arson taskforce in Texas.
- Most investigations required working in collaboration with state investigators from the Texas Forest Service, various fire marshals, Texas Rangers, Sheriffs, fire departments, and prosecutors.
- Successfully prosecuted an illegal dumping case where the defendant received 8 months for felony dumping.
- Successfully investigated and prosecuted multiple manufacture/delivery of controlled substance cases, possession of controlled substance, evading arrest/detention with motor vehicle, illegal dumping, wildlife poaching, and other lesser offenses in the federal, state, and local court systems.
- Interdicted 2 persons on terrorist watch lists and reported specific information to the appropriate agency personnel.
- Long term investigation for cattle trespass and illegal grazing. Successfully prosecuted for criminal and civil penalties.
- Recovering over $13,750.00 back to the U.S Forest Service.
- Successfully prosecuted 33 cases for hunting violations involving deer decoy operations or hunting out of season on public roads.
- Prosecuted in State court through either the DA’s office for felony convictions or County Attorney’s officer for misdemeanor cases.
- Participated in numerous detection and eradication missions involving illegal cultivation of marijuana on National Forest System Lands in California, Kentucky, Texas.
- Worked many eradication missions directly with airborne and ground military units.
- Worked as a member of the Wise County Counterdrug Taskforce.
- Participated in the writing and serving of narcotic search warrants, arrests of suspects, searches of residences, and eradication missions.
- Detailed to the Coronado National Forest. Conducted anti-smuggling operations with US Border Patrol agents, BORSTAR agents and other Forest Service agents.
- These operations resulted in numerous drug seizures and arrests.
- While detailed to the Coronado NF, requested by the Patrol Captain to evaluate the arrest, and booking procedures for the area.
- Crew Chief/ Marijuana spotter for USFS air operations for Marijuana eradication.
- Investigations involving wildlife crimes, to include reptile, migratory bird, lacey act, and poaching cases.
- Successfully prosecuted hunting guides in state and federal court for illegal guiding on National Forest and National wildlife refuges.
Refuge Officer/Field Training Officer
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Texas Mid Coast National Wildlife Refuge System, USA
04.2005 - 04.2009
- I worked on the Texas Mid Coast National Wildlife Refuge System for 4 years as a Refuge Officer, and Field Training Officer.
- I provided comprehensive program management and oversight for 3 Wildlife Refuges.
- I wrote investigatory plans for complex and simple investigations.
- I was accountable for coordinating investigations involving multiple agencies and jurisdictions.
- My responsibilities included the following: Assessed investigatory needs and formulated recommendations based on the needs of the investigation.
- Worked as a member of the Brownsville HIDTA Taskforce.
- Participated in numerous multi-agency narcotic and human trafficking interdiction operations.
- Developed the first U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service joint taskforce to interdict narcotics trafficking in an international riverine environment.
- Successfully prosecuted the following types of criminal cases: assault of federal officer, arson, wildlife poaching, unlawful entry of illegal alien, narcotic smuggling, stolen vehicles, possession of marijuana, and other lesser offenses.
- Served as Operations Commander for multiple US Coast Guard/USFWS anti-smuggling interdictions operations.
- Operational area was in high-threat areas known to be under the protection of Los Zetas and the drug cartel.
- Operations resulted in 32 arrests for unlawful entry by foreign national and approximately 1,100 pounds of marijuana seized.
- Worked as a member of the SORT TEAM HIDTA taskforce.
- Conducted investigation of illegal rallying of waterfowl by hunting guide.
- Investigation resulted in the guide receiving more than $15,000.00 in fines and losing his guide privileges for one year.
- Successfully prosecuted subject for assault of a federal agent, subject was ordered to serve 5 years federally.
- Worked on SORT team, AZ border drug enforcement, Southern AZ border HIDTA task force.
- Worked waterfowl enforcement, prosecuting Migratory Bird Treaty Act violations.
Immigration Agent
U.S. Border Patrol
Euless, USA
04.1997 - 04.2005
- I worked as an Immigration Agent for seven years serving as a member on the U.S. Border Patrol metropolitan task force.
- I conducted border patrol operations on the international border between Mexico and the United States.
- I worked independently to initiate investigations that resulted in the arrest and deportation of numerous undocumented foreign nationals.
- I actively searched for persons suspected to be affiliated with known anti-government or terrorist organizations.
- I independently searched for persons bringing unlawful narcotics or contraband into the United States and apprehended them in adverse terrain, poor weather, and in high-threat areas.
- I worked in the mid-cities investigating illegal worksites for undocumented aliens and employer sanctions.
- I served as a senior firearms instructor, field training officer, and counter surveillance team leader.
- Deported criminal aliens throughout the world.
- I worked closely with the state department and foreign consulates to get country clearance for nationals of the country of origin and officer clearance to foreign countries to depart criminal aliens.
- Supervisory Firearms Instructor: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement/ Dallas Field Office 2003-2005.
- I supervised 3 full time firearm instructors, I oversaw making schedules, retaining ranges for 120 Agent/officer’s.
- I oversaw ordering firearms and ammunition, turning in seized weapons to the ICE armory in Altoona, PA.
- I made schedules and provided firearm training every quarter along with tactical training exercises.
- I wrote policies pertaining to firearms and the use of fully automatic weapons.
- These policies were developed for the purpose of handling and the control of federally owned agency weapons.
Education
West Texas A&M
01.1995
Howard College
01.1994
High School Diploma -
Sands High School
01.1992
Skills
- Criminal investigation
- Report writing
- Evidence collection
- Search warrant execution
- Interagency collaboration
- Patrol operations
Affiliations Organizations
- Cross designation authority, USFWS, USFS, BLM, USPS
- State authority, Texas state laws and wildlife enforcement authority
Additional Information
Routinely seek out, build, and maintain positive professional working relationships., Developed the reputation of 'thinking outside the box' to provide solutions., Possess a passion for protecting the natural and historical resources of the United States., Excel in a team environment and can build relationships in a variety of operational situations.
Professional References
- Joseph McGallicher, Region 9, Supervisory Special Agent, tony.McGalicher@usda.gov, 936-494-9915
- Mike West, Region 3, USFWS/K-9, mike_west@fws.gov, 817-304-4173
- Chris Crain, Region 8, Patrol Captain, christopher.crain@usda.gov, 501-209-1581
- Justin Smith, Region 8, Law Enforcement Officer, justin.smith@usda.gov, 936-662-8993
- Thomas Karabanoff, Region 3, RAC/ USFWS (retired), tjrusso@gmail.com, 817-304-8883
- Wally Garza, Retired Texas State Trooper, 806-332-9462
- Lane Akin, Wise County Sheriff (Retired Texas Ranger), 940-393-1586
Phone Numbers
940-627-5475, 817-602-1390
Achievements Awards
- Multiple Star Awards (USFWS)
- Letter of Commendation (USBP)
- Director’s Award (ICE)
- Director’s Award (INS)
- Director’s Award/ Lifesaving award (TPWD)
- Numerous Letters of Appreciation and performance awards
- Prosecutor’s Award for Investigatory Excellence (Wise County, Texas, Office of the District Attorney)
- Texas Park’s and Wildlife, Director’s Award 2015 (Lifesaving Award)
Job Related Training
- Natural Resource Police Training (NRPT), 720 hours
- United States Immigration Academy, 736 hours
- Racial profiling instructor (FBI)
- Texas Peace Officer’s Training Academy (TCOLE), 605 hours
- Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Certification, 40 hours
- Special Operations Response Team (SORT) Training Course, 80 hours
- Drug Enforcement Training Program (Title 21), 80 hours
- Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination (FI-210), 80 hours
- Wildland Fire Investigation Case Development (FI-310), 40 hours
- Field Training Officer Training Course, 80 hours
- Crisis Intervention Training (CIT), 40 hours
- Rapid Response to Active Shooter Training, 16 hours
- Motorboat Operator Certification Course, 40 hours
- Airboat Operator Certification Course, 40 hours
- NITSA Radar and Lidar Operator Training Course, 40 hours
- All-Terrain Vehicle Certification Course, 16 hours
- United States Army Combat Lifesaver Course, 40 hours
- Wildland Firefighter Certification Course, 40 hours
- Drug Enforcement Administration (Instructor, Title 21)
- Firearms Instructor (FLETC Certification)
- Supplemental Texas Police Officer course 09/2022 180 hours
- Texas Commission of Law Enforcement Exam 09/22/2022 PASSED
- Texas Commission of Law Enforcement Peace Officer License TECOLE ID # 216162
Timeline
Law Enforcement Officer/Firearms Instructor
U.S. Forest Service
07.2009 - Current
Refuge Officer/Field Training Officer
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
04.2005 - 04.2009
Immigration Agent
U.S. Border Patrol
04.1997 - 04.2005
West Texas A&M
Howard College
High School Diploma -
Sands High School
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