MEET THE SPEAKERS

John Barrick joined the office as a deputy district attorney in 2005 after graduating from the Southwestern University School of Law. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Northridge, in 1991. Mr. Barrick was promoted to Senior Deputy District Attorney in April 2013. 
 
As a trial attorney, he has prosecuted a variety of cases including misdemeanors, general felonies, domestic violence, serious and violent felonies, gang crimes and homicides. He served in the Gang Unit from August 2008 until December 2014.  During that time, he prosecuted various gang crimes from the cities of Ventura, Simi Valley, Santa Paula, Ojai, Moorpark, Thousand Oaks and Oxnard. These crimes have ranged from gang injunction violations, vandalism, assault with deadly weapons, robberies, firearm-related offenses, and attempted murders. Mr. Barrick also prosecuted all of the hate crimes from Ventura County during that time period. To date, Mr. Barrick has tried almost 40 gang-related cases and hate crimes. In addition to prosecuting hate crimes, Mr. Barrick often teaches hate crime prosecution to law enforcement agencies within the county as well as new cadets at the police academy. 
 
In December 2014, Mr. Barrick moved into the Major Crimes – Homicide Unit, where he still currently serves. Mr. Barrick has tried several homicides, including People v. Wilson Chouest, a cold case multiple rape-murder involving two Jane Does from 1980 that occurred in Kern and Ventura Counties, People v. Mayra Chavez, a no-body child murder case which involved the abuse, torture, and death of 3-year-old Kimberly Lopez, and People v. Antoine Nehme, a cold case murder from 2004 which involved the defendant recruiting an associate to murder 71-year-old Dennis Wood because the defendant had conned the victim out of $28,500, and the defendant didn’t want to pay the money back. 
 
The Chouest case was featured on the television programs Cold Case Files, Web of Death, and On the Case with Paula Zahn. The Nehme case was recently featured on the television program Who Hired the Hitman? 
 
Mr. Barrick has presented these cases at the California Homicide Investigator Association conference, and he has presented the Chouest case at the National Homicide Investigator Association conference. 

Jennifer L. Nicolalde is a Senior Assistant Public Defender with the Orange County Public Defender’s Office. Mrs. Nicolalde started her career in the Orange County Public Defender’s Office in 2004. Throughout her 20 years with the office, Mrs. Nicolalde handled a variety of cases ranging from misdemeanors to capital cases. She has also worked within the collaborative treatment courts and the writs and appeals unit. Mrs. Nicolalde currently supervises the Orange County Public Defender’s Office Recidivism Reduction Unit. She is passionate about promoting equal, meaningful access to effective legal representation in the criminal justice system. In addition to her work with the Orange County Public Defender’s office, Mrs. Nicolalde is a part-time adjunct faculty member at California State University, Fullerton, where she teaches Criminal Law, Criminal Courts, and Courtroom Evidence.

Scott Sanders graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a BA in history and received his law degree at the Emory University School of Law. He served 32 years in the Orange County Public Defender’s Office before entering private practice last year. 

While representing defendants in two death penalty case, Scott uncovered the existence of a secret jailhouse informant program that covertly encouraged inmates to question charged defendants about their alleged crimes.  Years of evidentiary hearings would follow in the case of People v. Scott Dekraai, in which eight people were killed.  The judge in that case would ultimately remove the District Attorney’s Office from the case and strike the death penalty as a potential punishment.  In the 15 years since Scott’s first discovery, the nation’s largest informant scandal has seen 61 cases impacted.  In 2022, the United States Department of Justice found that the Orange County District Attorney’s Office and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department had systematically violated the constitutional rights of defendants. 

Scott also played an integral role in what has become known as the Orange County Evidence Booking Scandal and the Orange County Evidence Booking Scandal. 

Debra Allen is a licensed private investigator in Hawaiʻi and California and founder of 808 Investigations, a woman-owned agency serving clients across Hawaiʻi and California. With over 40 years of investigative experience, she brings one of the most distinctive and comprehensive backgrounds in the private investigation profession. 

Debra served as a senior investigator at the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, where she worked directly alongside prosecutors in trial preparation and mitigation on felony and complex criminal matters. That foundation built inside the prosecution’s own infrastructure shapes her defense-side PI practice and her approach to training other investigators. 

Her law enforcement career included homicide investigations, crimes against children, narcotics, crisis negotiation, and DA trial preparation. As a licensed PI for more than 22 years she has handled missing persons, criminal and civil litigation support, death investigations, workplace misconduct, cyber and bank fraud, adoption and DNA genealogy searches, and defense attorney support. She holds active PI licenses in both Hawaiʻi (License #HI PD 28766) and California (License #29141). 

Debra is a volunteer Team Adam Consultant for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) for the Hawaiian Islands and holds FEMA and Homeland Security clearances in connection with that role. Guided by the Hawaiian values of ʻohana, respect, and community trust, she leads her agency with a commitment to ethical practice, disciplined methodology, and credibility earned over decades in the field. 

Debra is trained and qualified to conduct pre-employment background investigations for law enforcement and fire service candidates under California POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) approved methodology. This specialized training in background investigation standards for police and fire applicants further informs their approach to thorough, legally defensible investigative work across all case types. 

For over 30 years, Neil Caddell has honed his knowledge and expertise in the intelligence community by working as an advocate and Expert Data Specialist with some of the largest professional LE organizations and government agencies in the country. With over a decade of experience in the Data Fusion industry and his 20+ years as a licensed private investigator in Florida and New York, he has developed a unique understanding of how actionable insights can fuel more efficient and successful investigations. Mr. Caddell has served on major investigations and insurance boards and is an active member of many country-wide investigator groups. He is now a Director at IDI where he works to help build the best data for the PI community, and to share all the features the idiCORE™ solution offers including mobile access, geospatial technology, and an intuitive interface.  

Mark DiMichael is a partner in the valuation and litigation/dispute services department at Citrin Cooperman. He specializes in matrimonial dissolutions, economic damages, digital assets, shareholder disputes, white collar criminal defense, and business valuations. Mr. DiMichael has prepared and rebutted expert reports and has experience working with companies in a wide range of industries. He has also provided expert witness testimony in federal court, state court, and arbitration proceedings.

Leisha Fenton-Fauth is the founder of Fenton Investigations, a California-based investigative firm providing legal investigative services to attorneys and their clients. Licensed as a California private investigator since 2018 (License #188469) and based in Orange, California, Leisha began her career in law enforcement in 1981 as a police officer and brings more than 44 years of experience in law enforcement and investigative work, including service as a senior investigator at the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, where she worked alongside Debra Allen in trial preparation and mitigation on serious and complex felony matters. 

Her law enforcement career encompassed a broad range of specialized investigative disciplines including robbery and homicide investigations, officer-involved shootings, child abuse, sex crimes, juvenile cases, forgery investigations, accident investigation, and pre-employment background investigations. That depth of field experience across some of the most demanding investigative assignments in law enforcement is the foundation on which her private practice is built. 

With extensive knowledge of the criminal justice system and case preparation process, her work through Fenton Investigations includes criminal and civil case investigations, background investigations, asset searches, fraud inquiries, witness interviews, and in-depth case reviews designed to support litigation and legal strategy. Leisha works closely with legal professionals to uncover critical facts, analyze records, and deliver reliable investigative findings that help guide case direction and outcomes. 

Leisha’s prosecutorial background gives her an institutional understanding of how criminal cases are built from the ground up, the evidentiary standards prosecutors apply, the investigation shortcuts that create openings for the defense, and the points at which thorough mitigation work can change a case’s trajectory. 

In addition to her litigation support work, Leisha is trained and qualified to conduct pre-employment background investigations for law enforcement and fire service candidates under California POST approved methodology, bringing the same rigor and documentation discipline to background work that she applies across all investigative assignments.

Justin D. Hodson, CPI, CSMIE is a renowned private investigator in California, specializing in various investigative services. He collaborates with law firms, insurance companies, municipalities, and corporations to uncover crucial information, saving clients significant time and money.

Hodson’s investigative career began in corporate loss prevention and fraud investigation. His skills quickly advanced him to roles in internal fraud and undercover surveillance, earning global recognition. In 2003, he founded his investigation firm in Fullerton, California, leveraging his extensive experience.

Hodson is an approved MCLE instructor for California attorneys. He is trusted by numerous individuals, businesses, attorneys, insurance firms, and celebrities, with a significant portion of his work coming from repeat clients and referrals.

A leader in the private investigation industry, Hodson is a former executive officer and board member of the California Association of Licensed Investigators (CALI). He has also chaired the ULA Committee, investigating over 200 unlicensed activity cases. Hodson is also a Certified Professional Investigator (CPI), of which there are less than 100 in the world.

Lindon Lilly is a distinguished member of the California Association of Licensed Investigators (CALI) and National Council of Investigation and Security Services (NCISS), advocating on behalf of its members in Sacramento CA and Washington D.C. He is also currently a board member of the California Association of Licensed Investigators (CALI). By virtue of his stellar 20 years of service in law enforcement, the California Assembly recognized him for his dedicated work with victim rights groups. As the esteemed founder and president of Rhino Investigation and Process Serving, Lilly brings over 30 years of experience in the attorney support business.

For over 30 years, Joe Mangano has been immersed in applying computing and software solutions that help businesses grow and improve their performance. Prior to TransUnion joining as a Director, he held leadership positions in organizations providing technology solutions in manufacturing, imaging, telecommunications, distribution and research.
 
Now, with his unique combination of business experience and the understanding of technologies that encompass machine learning, data fusion and now AI, Joe focuses on helping Licensed Investigators and Legal Professionals improve their business results and increase the value they bring to their clients using the TLOxp/Trulookup Investigative Database. 

Joe joined TransUnion over 3+ years ago, and leads TransUnion’s partnerships with CALI, TALI, FALI, FAPI and APIA and the thousands of TLOxp/TruLookup users across the United States.

Jason Mitchell is Co-Founder and CEO of nQuest, an AI-powered case management and visualization platform for private investigators, trust & safety teams, and OSINT analysts. Before founding nQuest, he spent over a decade in the technology industry, including building threat detection and investigations functions at Upwork and leading investigations at Facebook Risk & Response as part of the industry's response to terrorism, espionage, and organized crime. A computer scientist by training, Jason has led engineering teams, AI research teams, and investigations teams across Washington DC, Los Angeles, and Silicon Valley. He is based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Tim O'Rourke is the founder of The Grafton Group and TSD-Technical  Services Division, bringing over three decades of experience in investigations and technical security. Recognized nationally, Tim has built a career working in diverse and challenging environments across the United States and internationally. His deep expertise in corporate investigations, workplace violence prevention, and technical security has established The Grafton Group and TSD as premier providers in these fields, with a strong focus on Corporate Investigations and Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM). 

With more than 30 years based in the Tampa Bay area, Tim has worked with national and international figures, including political leaders, professional athletes, and corporations, providing personal protection and security solutions. He has collaborated and trained with TSCM technicians from both domestic and international agencies, including those involved in embassy and national security. This extensive experience allows Tim to offer clients a comprehensive understanding of today's security challenges. Both The Grafton Group and TSD are staffed by a select team of professionals with backgrounds in law enforcement, military, and the private sector, all equipped with the latest technology and tools to address a wide range of security concerns. 

Certifications & Affiliations:
Tim holds multiple TSCM certifications from leading U.S. manufacturers of electronic countermeasures equipment, as well as certifications from professional organizations dedicated to protecting against electronic surveillance threats. He was appointed by Commissioner Charles Bronson to serve on the Florida Regulatory Board (PIRSAC) for eight years, an advisory board that plays a crucial role in shaping security policies. Tim also served as the president of the Florida Association of Licensed Investigators (FALI), the second-largest statewide PI association in the United States. He is a sought-after speaker at professional investigative and security conferences across the country and is a regular contributor to PI Magazine, where he writes on topics related to espionage and TSCM.

Jordan Payton, a former United States Marine and Senior Case Manager II at Hodson P.I., has a robust background in both military and investigative fields. After serving in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, he earned a degree in Criminal Justice from the University of North Texas and a certificate in Legal Investigations from Cal State Long Beach. Jordan’s expertise spans social media investigations, surveillance, and insurance fraud investigations within Special Investigation Units (SIU).

Known for his discipline and strategic approach, Jordan Payton has excelled in gathering crucial intelligence and conducting thorough investigations.

Olivia Robinson is a licensed private investigator. She oversees a multidisciplinary team of investigators, including surveillance experts, forensic accountants and computer forensics professionals. Her firm, Background Intelligence, Inc., provides unbiased, independent information and actionable results using a variety of investigative techniques to:
• find and recover hidden assets
• unravel extremely complex financial interrelationships
• investigate fraud and white-collar crime
• find and document facts in high stakes, high profile cases
• support litigation
• conduct due diligence
• counter “fake news” and media manipulation

Since 1982, her time-sensitive investigations have been used to help clients discover and recover from cases involving Ponzi schemes, complex financial fraud, insider trading, industry-wide fraud scams, municipal fraud, hedge fund and investment scams. While most cases are domestic, she has helped clients on numerous assignments all over the world. She has lectured widely and written on the subject of fraud, white collar crime, and developing winning strategies for the recovery from both. Background Intelligence Inc. has been featured in many publications and media outlets. 

Ms. Robinson has held positions on the boards of the California Receivers Forum, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, Association for Corporate Growth, the Association of Strategic Planning, and the Editorial Board of M&A Today, in addition to years of service on non-profit boards.

Tim Wratten is a seasoned private investigator and instructor with over 25 years of experience in criminal investigations, and one of the field's most recognized professionals in Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) and Social Media Intelligence (SOCMINT).

Tim's passion for online investigations began early in his law enforcement career where, as a Gang Detective, he was among the first to harness the power of social media as an  investigative tool — long before it became standard practice. That early adoption and deep hands-on experience set the foundation for a career built on digital intelligence.

After transitioning into criminal defense investigation, Tim brought that same OSINT-driven approach with him, developing a uniquely well-rounded perspective having worked on both the prosecution and defense sides of complex criminal cases. His ability to uncover critical online intelligence has earned him prestigious recognition, including the Investigator Excellence Award from the Robert Presley Institute of Criminal Investigations and the Investigator of the Year Award from the Public Defender Association.

Tim has served as an instructor for the National Defense Investigators Association (NDIA), the California Defense Investigators Association and their Defense Investigator Training Academy, where he has trained investigators on the latest online intelligence techniques and social media investigative strategies.

Today, as a licensed private investigator, Tim continues to leverage cutting-edge OSINT and SOCMINT techniques to conduct thorough, results-driven investigations. His rare combination of law enforcement roots, defense experience, and digital intelligence expertise makes him a trusted authority in the field of online criminal investigations.