2025 Conference on Violent Crime: Full Schedule

8:30am EDT

Welcome and Opening Ceremony

Wednesday May 28, 2025 8:30am - 9:00am EDT

Presentation of Colors
Virginia State Police Color Guard

National Anthem
Rachael Baxley

Opening Remarks
Director Jackson Miller, Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services
Colonel Matthew D. Hanley, Virginia State Police
Mike Costigan, Office of the Virginia Attorney General
Major Tony Haga, Virginia Tech Police Department
Chief Todd Brewster, Blacksburg Police Department

Wednesday May 28, 2025 8:30am - 9:00am EDT
Latham ABC

Keynote

9:00am EDT

Identification and Suppression of Tren de Aragua

Wednesday May 28, 2025 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

Latham ABC

In just three years, there has been a nationwide proliferation of a violent gang from Venezuela, which has been facilitated by illegal border crossings. Tren de Aragua has been compared to MS-13, but there are distinct differences that law enforcement needs to be aware of. This presentation covers the founding, growth, structure, identification, and suppression of this public safety crisis.

Speakers

Palestra Group International

Wednesday May 28, 2025 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
Latham ABC

Keynote

10:45am EDT

The Art of Perception: Seeing What Matters

Wednesday May 28, 2025 10:45am - 12:15pm EDT

Latham ABC

The Art of Perception provides law enforcement, intelligence, and military leaders the necessary tools to enhance perception and communication in assessment, surveillance, and critical response. In this highly participatory, fast-moving, and visual presentation of works of art, participants revisit both the application of their perception skills and the ability to communicate concisely and effectively in exchanges of critical information. Specifically designed to address the role of perception and observation among team members, the training also emphasizes the importance of pattern recognition in acclimating to both short-term and extended threats, as well as honing situational awareness. Painting, sculpture, and photography are also employed to dismantle biases and long-held assumptions that impede collective decision-making and best practices. The overarching objective of The Art of Perception is to provide attendees with a renewed sense of critical inquiry and self-perception that will be instrumental in problem-solving strategies and prospective tactical initiatives.

Wednesday May 28, 2025 10:45am - 12:15pm EDT
Latham ABC

Keynote

1:15pm EDT

Internet and Open-Source Investigations

Wednesday May 28, 2025 1:15pm - 2:45pm EDT

Latham ABC

Digital data as evidence in investigations is well established and set to play a progressively more significant role in the future. A lack of understanding of the types of readily available digital data and what to do with it once you have acquired it can result in value-rich information being left undiscovered—information that can inevitably make or break cases. This presentation is designed to show how to legally utilize and exploit open-source intelligence.

Speakers

Scott Kilpatrick

Scott Kilpatrick has been a police officer with the Baltimore County Police Department for over 18 years and a detective for the past 16 years. He spent the early part of his career in the Vice Narcotics Unit, which worked to dismantle drug trafficking organizations. Early on... Read More →

Wednesday May 28, 2025 1:15pm - 2:45pm EDT
Latham ABC

Keynote

3:00pm EDT

Domestic Violence/Domestic Homicide Investigations

Wednesday May 28, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT

Latham DEF

This presentation explores some of the key components of an effective domestic violence homicide investigation. Using case studies, Mr. Coker will address topics such as risk assessments, police and prosecution collaboration, lessons learned, and best practices, and discuss available resources to enhance the investigation and prosecution of offenders.

Speakers

Michael Coker

Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services

Michael J. Coker is a seasoned leader and educator with over twenty years of experience at the Portsmouth Police Department. He specializes in training professionals in leadership and domestic violence investigation strategies. Michael is currently a Field Services Coordinator... Read More →

Wednesday May 28, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Latham DEF

Breakout

3:00pm EDT

Echoes of the Incident: Addressing the Realities of Critical Incident Aftermath

Wednesday May 28, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT

Smithfield

Adam Blevins is a former Virginia State Trooper, licensed resident in counseling, and Operations Director for the Virginia Law Enforcement Assistance Program. This session blends clinical insight, lived experience, and cultural awareness. The real weight of a critical incident often shows up long after the scene is cleared. The emotional, psychological, and organizational echoes can ripple through individuals, teams, and entire agencies, sometimes for years. This workshop takes an honest, trauma-informed look at what it means to face the aftermath of a critical incident from every angle: the personal impact on first responders, the role of leadership in shaping recovery, and the subtle ways organizational culture can either support healing or deepen the wound. Attendees will explore the lingering effects of trauma and moral injury on responders, what peer support looks like when it works, how agencies unintentionally contribute to long-term damage, and how to stop it, the difference between “getting through it” and actually recovering, and real-world strategies for supporting personnel, rebuilding trust, and restoring operational wellness. Whether you're on the front line or leading those who are, this session is about what comes next and how to make sure no one is left behind in the aftermath.

Speakers

Adam Blevins

Virginia Law Enforcement Assistance Program (VALEAP)

Adam is a certified Critical Incident Stress Management (CCISM) professional and has been the Operations Director of the Virginia Law Enforcement Assistance Program (VALEAP) since January 2022. He has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in clinical... Read More →

Wednesday May 28, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Smithfield

Breakout

3:00pm EDT

Gang Awareness

Wednesday May 28, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT

Solitude

This workshop will show the most prominent gangs in the Virginia Department of Corrections (VDOC). The presentation will cover the mentality, dress, language, gang colors, gang signs, and other identifying characteristics of gang membership.

Speakers

Mike Duke

Virginia Department of Corrections

Mike Duke was born and raised in Harlem, New York. He graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx and obtained a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina. In 1996, he began his career in law enforcement with the Virginia... Read More →

Wednesday May 28, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Solitude

Breakout

3:00pm EDT

Recognizing Child Torture – Response and Investigative Considerations

Wednesday May 28, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT

Assembly Hall

Human service professionals—including those in law enforcement and child welfare—are highly skilled in identifying child maltreatment. However, many lack familiarity with child torture (CT) and the distinctive characteristics that differentiate it from other forms of maltreatment. As a result, aspects of torture may go unrecognized, with CT cases often classified as severe child abuse. This presentation will examine the defining elements of CT, contrast them with more widely recognized forms of child abuse, and address offender behaviors, investigative strategies, and the impacts on victims.

Speakers

Melissa R. Stormer

FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit

Dr. Melissa Stormer is a Supervisory Special Agent with the Office of Special Investigations (OSI) and a Clinical/Forensic Psychologist. She has been an OSI agent for 21 years and has experience working and advising on investigations relating to violent crimes, sex crimes, crimes... Read More →

Wednesday May 28, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Assembly Hall

Breakout

3:00pm EDT

The Art of Perception: Multiple Perspectives for Better Decisions

Wednesday May 28, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT

Duck Pond

In a rapidly changing world, situational awareness and effective communication skills are crucial to a successful critical response. In this breakout session, The Art of Perception will build on the keynote presentation by using works of art to provide law enforcement and intelligence professionals the tools to incorporate multiple perspectives into their decision-making, both in exigent circumstances and long-term challenges. Considering a range of perceptions will maximize understanding of legal and intelligence scenarios and minimize cognitive biases. Interactive exercises will highlight how to overcome persistent gaps in visual intelligence and lay the foundation for a more objective, informed, and effective response to critical incidents. 

Speakers

Amy Herman

As an attorney and art historian, Amy Herman has been conducting The Art of Perception for law enforcement and intelligence agencies at local, state, and federal levels since 2004. The program began with the New York City Police Department (Crime Scene Investigation, Hostage Negotiation... Read More →

Wednesday May 28, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Duck Pond

Breakout

8:30am EDT

Operation Ceasefire Update

Thursday May 29, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am EDT

Latham ABC

Ceasefire Virginia is a proven approach to address and reduce violent criminal activity among serious and repeat offenders. This initiative aims at reducing violent crime by maintaining strategic and effective partnerships with state and federal agencies, local law enforcement and community leaders throughout the Commonwealth. Critical elements of Ceasefire include addressing the most significant drivers of violence, leveraging technology and analytics, developing and implementing enforcement strategies, and deterring others from engaging in violence through prosecution, public awareness, gang intervention, crime prevention, and community policing.

Speakers

Mark Fero

Programs Director, Office of the Attorney General

Mark Fero currently serves as the Director of Crime Reduction Initiatives in the Executive and Administration Division for the Office of the Attorney General of Virginia, where he provides program and financial oversight to federal- and state-funded grant programs. After college, he... Read More →

Thursday May 29, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Latham ABC

Keynote

9:30am EDT

Nihilistic Violent Extremism and Sadistic Online Exploitation

Thursday May 29, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am EDT

Latham ABC

The increase in nihilistic violent extremism online is an evolving concern in the threat assessment and threat management (TATM) space. In September 2023, the FBI made a public service announcement regarding violent extremist groups targeting and sextorting vulnerable youths online. This presentation will focus on violent extremist groups, their behaviors and goals, commonly noted offender characteristics, and victimology. We will provide a background on these groups and discuss their evolution over time. Lastly, we will present a case study and offer threat assessment, threat management, and investigative considerations.

Speakers

Melissa R. Stormer

FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit

Thursday May 29, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am EDT
Latham ABC

Keynote

11:00am EDT

To Catch a Predator

Thursday May 29, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm EDT

Latham ABC

Richmond’s Fan Neighborhood sits just west of the City’s center and is one of Richmond’s most diverse neighborhoods. The Fan is home to many Virginia Commonwealth University students, young professionals, and families. From 2014 to 2018, a man named Justin Harvey made this community his preying ground, causing many people to feel uneasy. Harvey put fear into many young women, most between 19 and 24 years old, in the one place they should feel the safest: their homes. Both the Richmond Police Department and VCU Police Department worked tirelessly over this timeframe to identify a man who was reported to have committed numerous burglaries, assaults, and rapes. Eventually, in September 2018, detectives from both agencies and prosecutors from the Richmond Commonwealth Attorney’s Office were able to work together to identify and arrest Harvey. Through the diligent work between these three agencies, Harvey was connected to 10 different cases. Come along as detectives and prosecutors detail how the use of technology, cell phone data, and physical evidence earned Harvey over 200 years in the Virginia Department of Corrections.

Speakers

Joshua Boyles

Joshua Boyles has been a prosecutor for 18 years—first in Westmoreland County for five years, then as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Richmond since 2012. He is a member of the office’s Violent Crime Team.

Sarah Heller

City of Richmond Commonwealth Attorney’s Office

Sarah Heller has been a prosecutor in the Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office for 15 years. She is a supervisor on the Violent Crime Team and provides training to prosecutors and police officers in a variety of programs and schools around the state.

Ben Neifeld

Richmond Police Department

Benjamin Neifeld has been with the Richmond Police Department for 17 years. He has worked in patrol, a Fourth Precinct street crimes unit, Aggravated Assault, and Sex Crimes, and is currently assigned to Homicide.

Lee Olds

Virginia Commonwealth University Police Department

Lee Olds has been with the VCU Police Department for 13 years. The majority of his career has been spent in an investigative role for various types of crime, including narcotics distribution, violent crime, and fraud. He is currently tasked with commanding a patrol platoon... Read More →

Thursday May 29, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm EDT
Latham ABC

Keynote

1:15pm EDT

First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs: A Case Study on the Link Between Domestic Violence and Mass Attacks

Thursday May 29, 2025 1:15pm - 2:45pm EDT

Latham ABC

Releasing on April 23, 2025, this behavioral case study examines the background and behavioral history of a gunman who killed 26 people and wounded 22 others in an attack at a church in Texas. In this presentation, the presenter will discuss the attacker's long history of domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual violence perpetrated against friends, family members, and others.

Speakers

Josh Ryan

U.S. Secret Service

Dr. Josh Ryan is a Supervisory Social Science Research Specialist with the U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC), where he conducts research on threat assessment and targeted violence. Dr. Ryan has investigated the background, thinking, and behavior of assassins... Read More →

Thursday May 29, 2025 1:15pm - 2:45pm EDT
Latham ABC

Keynote

3:00pm EDT

30 Boyz- Neighborhood Rap to Murder

Thursday May 29, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT

Duck Pond

This workshop is an in-depth case study of the 30 Boyz Gang. This neighborhood-based street gang started its own rap label, which ultimately contributed to multiple shootings and murders. Attendees will hear about the alliances of the 30 Boyz Street Gang, its use of social media, and how the activities of their rap label resulted in several homicides. Lessons learned in building a successful prosecution, utilization of jail calls, and joint jurisdiction investigations will be discussed.

Speakers

Michael Kiniry

Richmond Police Department

Detective Michael Kiniry has been with Richmond City Police Department for 18 years and has been investigating gangs for over 9 years and over 600 hours in basic and advanced gang training. He is a Board Member with the Virginia Gang Investigators Association. During this time, Detective... Read More →

Brian Kelly

Henrico County Police Department

Detective Brian Kelly has been employed by the Henrico County Police Division since 2015. He is currently a Detective with the Gang Investigative Team in the Criminal Intelligence Section, where he has received multiple trainings on gang characteristics and investigations. Currently serving... Read More →

Thursday May 29, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Duck Pond

Breakout

3:00pm EDT

DCJS Ceasefire Grantee Check-in

Thursday May 29, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT

Smithfield

The goal of the workshop is to build a collaborative and comprehensive networking opportunity for our grantees to engage with peers on current and ongoing local initiatives in addressing violent crime. It is our intent to highlight programs that are implementing evidence-based prevention and intervention and enforcement programs based on partnerships among community residents, local government agencies, community-based organizations, and law enforcement.

Speakers

Greg Hopkins

Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services

Greg is the Juvenile Justice Program Coordinator with DCJS. In this role, Greg serves as the state Juvenile Justice Specialist and DMC Coordinator, providing policy guidance and technical assistance for local and state juvenile justice administering agencies. He also coordinates... Read More →

Thursday May 29, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Smithfield

Breakout

3:00pm EDT

Social Media Investigations

Thursday May 29, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT

Assembly Hall

Attendees will learn what digital data is available, why the specific data is valuable, what data to seek based on case particulars, and how to write court orders and/or search warrants to obtain the data successfully. The class will discuss how to correctly manage the data received for posterity and discovery requirements and how to exploit the data received for actionable leads and intelligence. Attendees will leave equipped with knowledge and skills, positioning them to better leverage this data in investigations.

Speakers

Scott Kilpatrick

Thursday May 29, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Assembly Hall

Breakout

3:00pm EDT

The Boyfriend Trafficker

Thursday May 29, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT

Latham DEF

Human trafficking doesn’t always start with force—it often begins with romance. Traffickers posing as loving partners use psychological manipulation to lure their victims into exploitation. This session will dive into Virginia’s human trafficking laws, explore the grooming and recruitment tactics used by traffickers, and uncover the methods of control that keep victims trapped. We will also examine the trauma victims endure and why compliance is often mistaken for choice. Agent Freeman will provide a case study to show how the illusion of love is often enough to keep a victim compliant and prevent them from leaving the trafficking situation.

Speakers

McKayla Burnett

McKayla Burnett is the State Trafficking Response Coordinator at the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. She is responsible for coordinating statewide efforts to identify and respond to victims of human trafficking. McKayla has worked in victim services since 2015... Read More →

Kathryn Freeman

Kathryn has been with the Virginia State Police since 2016. After graduating from her basic session, she was assigned to Division VII (Northern Virginia), Loudoun County. During her time as a road trooper in 2018, she attended a course called “The Interdiction for the Protection... Read More →

Thursday May 29, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Latham DEF

Breakout

3:00pm EDT

The Impact of Mass Violence on Individuals and the Community

Thursday May 29, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT

Solitude

Mass violence events are far more frequent and far more deadly than they have been in previous years. The increase in violence and its substantial media coverage can lead to negative and sometimes long-lasting effects on the survivors and the community at large. In this workshop, we will discuss the psychological, emotional, and practical impacts of mass violence events. We will discuss the risks for long-term trauma and the protective factors that are crucial to personal and community healing and resilience. Finally, we will define and discuss the importance of trauma-informed care and identify local, state, and federal resources that can assist following a traumatic event in your community.

Speakers

Dawn Bush

Crisis Response Training and Outreach Specialist, Department of Criminal Justice Services

The Victims Crisis Assistance and Response Team (VCART) program provides a victim-centered response that is coordinated by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) to assist victims following criminal events. The Code of Virginia requires DCJS and the Virginia... Read More →

Julia Fuller-Wilson

State Crisis Response Coordinator, Department of Criminal Justice Services

Julia Fuller-Wilson is the State Victims Crisis Assistance and Response Program Coordinator and the Federal Violence Against Women Program Administrator at the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. She currently manages and coordinates state crisis response efforts to... Read More →

Thursday May 29, 2025 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Solitude

Breakout

8:30am EDT

Verbal De-Escalation Training: Surviving Verbal Conflict®

Friday May 30, 2025 8:30am - 12:30pm EDT

Latham ABC

Today’s increased service demands and the scrutiny placed upon public safety professionals have resulted in a growing need to master verbal conflict management skills. When negative verbal encounters escalate to the point where physical intervention is used, criticism often results when it is later discovered that there is little evidence of verbal de-escalation techniques employed by officers. This is particularly true when incident video and audio reviews are utilized. In some cases, it has become clear that the verbal actions of the public safety responders served to escalate the situation. Administrators are now asking, “Is this an area where the training tape has run out? Have we adequately trained our personnel to successfully manage and respond to verbal confrontations in a professional manner?” Verbal De-escalation training provides public safety professionals with time-tested communication skills proven to help de-escalate volatile situations, safeguard fellow officers’ emotional and professional well-being, and significantly enhance the agency’s professional image.

Speakers

Harry Dolan

Dolan Consulting Group

Harry P. Dolan is a 32-year police veteran who served as Chief of Police from 1987 to 2012. As one of the nation's most experienced police chiefs, he brings 25 years of public safety executive experience to Dolan Consulting Group. He retired in October 2012 as Chief of Police of... Read More →

Friday May 30, 2025 8:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Latham ABC

Keynote