All posts in Speakers

Topic: “Brady Oestrike Craigslist Killer”

Description: In the summer of 2014, two missing persons (male and pregnant female) were reported to the Wyoming Department of Public Safety.  Investigators eventually discovered the deceased body of the male in a park, however the female could not be located.  Wyoming detectives began working with the Michigan State Police Computer Crimes Unit to process digital evidence from the victims.

Experience

Chris Prevette is a Detective Sergeant with the Michigan State Police assigned to supervise the Intelligence Operations Division, Cyber Section and the Computer Crimes Unit.  Chris has 20 years of service in law enforcement for 20 years, 17 of that with the Michigan State Police.  Chris is a Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE) through the International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists (IACIS).

Topic: “Brady Oestrike Craigslist Killer”

Description: In the summer of 2014, two missing persons (male and pregnant female) were reported to the Wyoming Department of Public Safety.  Investigators eventually discovered the deceased body of the male in a park, however the female could not be located.  Wyoming detectives began working with the Michigan State Police Computer Crimes Unit to process digital evidence from the victims.

Experience

John McCaw is a Detective Sergeant with the Wyoming Police Depart, assigned to the Michigan State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.  John has been in law enforcement for approximately 25 years, serving in multiple capacities.  John is a Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE) through the International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists (IACIS).

Topic: “Who are you?  Identifying Suspects & Victims Alike Using New Forensic Technology”

Description: Identifying Suspects & Victims Alike Using New Forensic Technology

Experience

Rachel Oefelein is currently the Director of Research and Innovation and a Senior DNA Analyst at DNA Labs International (DLI). Additionally, Rachel is a PhD candidate with Griffith University located in Brisbane, Australia.  She received her MSc in Forensic Science from the University of Strathclyde, and her BS in Criminal Justice, with a Forensic Science Minor, from Loyola University of New Orleans. Rachel worked at the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL) for nearly five years and previously interned at the Instytut Ekspertyz Sądowych, the Forensic Laboratory in Krakow, Poland.  Since joining DNA Labs International in 2014, Rachel has testified in ten Florida counties, three states and four countries as an expert witness for both the prosecution and the defense in misdemeanor and felony trials, as well as Williams, Daubert and Arthur hearings.

Topic: “Law Enforcement Mental Health Issues”

Description of the topic. Coming Soon.

Experience

Mark DiBona was born and raised in Boston Massachusetts. In 1985, Mark began his Law Enforcement career with the Braintree Police Department and later transferred to the Amtrak Police Department, Boston District.

In 1993, Mark moved to Florida and continued his career with the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, where he where he retired as a Patrol Sergeant, after 33 years of Law Enforcement experience. Mark was also Police Academy Instructor at Seminole State College.

Throughout his Law Enforcement career, Mark has held several positions and assignments, to include Peer Support Unit, Critical Incident Stress Management Team, Public Information Officer and in-service training Instructor.

During his career, Mark developed mental health issues and a suicide attempt. He is very open speaking about these issues and his wellness.

Mark is a Co-founder of Protecting the Guardian, he is a Technical Advisor and Law Enforcement Mental Health Liaison with In The Line of Duty Video’s. Board Member and Law Enforcement Mental Health Liaison with Southeastern Homicide Investigators Association. Board Member with International Public Safety Association, Member of International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers. He is also an Advisor and Consultant for Here for You Blue.

Mark is an advocate for Law Enforcement Officer and First Responder Mental Health/Suicide Prevention/Wellness and Education. He has been a guest on several news radio, television, podcast, conferences, webinars, books and magazines. He also has appeared in training videos, a music video and is a motivational speaker.

In his free time, Mark enjoys spending time with his wife Gailyn of 30 years and their dogs Bella and Romeo. Mark is a huge fan of the Boston Red Sox, playing the guitar and Rock and Roll music.

Visit Protecting the Guardian Website

Topic: “Digital Data Hunting in Death Investigations”

Description of the topic. Coming Soon…

Experience

Patrick Eller is the CEO of Metadata Forensics, LLC which is a full service digital forensic company located in Richmond, VA.  He has 20 years of Military law enforcement experience and a master’s degree in digital forensics and cyber investigations. He is a subject matter expert in the field of digital forensics and has run a global digital forensics program for the US Army. He currently teaches digital forensics at the undergraduate and graduate levels for multiple Institutions. He also teaches as part of the Special Victims Capabilities Course Fort Leonard Wood, MO and at the National Forensic Academy located at the University of Tennessee.

Topic: “Timothy Dean Investigation – The Wrong Side of The Law”

Description: Timothy Dean, Texas police officer, former chief arrested in connection with double homicide in New York.

Experience

Robert Milby earned his Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice from the State University of New York at Brockport.  He attended the Bureau of Municipal of Police Basic Academy at Genesee Community College, and attended the FBI National Academy , Class 238.  He began his career with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office in 1995 as a part-time Deputy while he was employed full time with the Village of Lyons Police Department, which is also in Wayne County.  Milby soon after transferred to the Sheriff’s Office full time and has served many roles, to include; Deputy Sheriff, Field Training Officer, Emergency Response Team, Road Patrol Sergeant, Narcotics Task Force Commander, Road Patrol Lieutenant, Detective Lieutenant and now Chief Deputy.   He is a member of the Opioid Task Force, a member of the advisory board for the Child Advocacy Center in Wayne County and is a police instructor at the county level and at the police academy.  Milby’s ensures that all members of law enforcement within the borders of Wayne County are trained in Active Threat Response, and has taught the same for over 20 years.  Milby has supervised homicide investigations that have been featured on Snapped, Dateline and Investigation Discovery channels.  These same investigations were prosecuted by, and also feature, 1^st Assistant District Attorney Christine Callanan.

Topic: “Timothy Dean Investigation – The Wrong Side of The Law”

Description: Timothy Dean, Texas police officer, former chief arrested in connection with double homicide in New York.

Experience

Christine K. Callanan earned her Bachelors of Science in Psychology from St. Lawrence University and her Juris Doctor with a Criminal Concentration from University at Buffalo. After graduating law school, Christine was hired as an Assistant District Attorney in Monroe County. She was first assigned to the Local Courts Bureau where she prosecuted thousands of misdemeanor and violation level offenses. Christine was quickly promoted to the Major Felonies Bureau where she spent the next five years prosecuting the most violent crimes in Rochester, New York including Murder, Assault, Robbery and Burglary. After over seven years with the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, Christine was hired as the Second Assistant District Attorney with the Wayne County District Attorney’s Office. She took over the prosecution of all the pending homicides and violent felonies in the County. Within two years, Christine was promoted to First Assistant District Attorney and continues to prosecute all the homicides and violent felonies.

Topic: “The Ashley McArthur Investigation:  The Killing of One of Our Own”

Description: Private Investigator and former police officer, Taylor Wright, was killed by a former crime scene investigator over money and buried on her family farm.

Experience

Chad Willhite has been a member of the Pensacola Police Department for 20 years, where he spent the first 2 years as a police cadet.  Chad then worked in the Uniform Patrol Division for a total of 5 years as a patrol officer, an FTO and as a Sergeant.  Chad has been assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division were he spent a total of 12 years.  His current assignment is the Sergeant over the Specialized Patrol Division where he oversees the school resource officer program and the community relations section.  Chad earned a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration.  He is married and has three kids.  Chad lives in Pensacola with his wife and two sons. (The world’s finest beaches) His daughter is married and her husband is stationed at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, SC.

Topic: “The Ashley McArthur Investigation:  The Killing of One of Our Own”

Description: Private Investigator and former police officer, Taylor Wright, was killed by a former crime scene investigator over money and buried on her family farm.

Experience

Richard Ghigliotty was born and raised in Pensacola.  He has been a member of the Pensacola Police Department for nearly seven years, after being hired in December of 2014.  After working as a cadet for 4 months, Richard began field training.  Following field training, he was assigned to patrol midnights, where he worked for 2 years.  After 2 years as an officer, Richard joined the departments SWAT team and transferred to the Criminal Investigations Division.  After he worked in the Criminal Investigations Division for 3 years, Richard transferred to Vice and Narcotics.  Shortly after transferring to Vice and Narcotics, he joined the United States Marshals Service Taskforce.  In January of 2021, Richard joined a new part time Street Crimes Unit with the Pensacola Police Department.  In 2016, after dating for 11 years, Richard married his beautiful wife.  In 2017, Richard and his wife gave birth to their only child.  They currently reside just outside the city of Pensacola.

Topic: “First Hand Account on 13 Hours in Benghazi”

Description of the topic: Listen to “Tig” describe the events of what happened in Benghazi, from his perspective.  Join him again later that evening as the keynote speaker for our annual military appreciation night

Experience

John “Tig” Tiegen leverages over 13 years of high profile security and force protection expertise within contract and
government agencies along with his military experience as a Marine Sergeant, to bring a powerful, thought-provoking, and engaging presentation of his firsthand account of the Benghazi Attacks to his audiences. As a former Military Sergeant and Infantry Squad Leader, John applied his military training as a Security Protection contractor for Blackwater Security on missions in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq. His work as part of the Central Intelligence Agency’s Global Response Staff would change his life forever. An integral team member, taking part in over 40 overseas deployments providing low profile security in high-threat environments throughout the world, culminated in unexpected recognition on a global scale.

As the most experienced Annex Security Team member for CIA’s GRS, he was an essential part of the rapid response to the terrorist attack on September 11, 2012, when Islamic militants attacked the American diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, killing four Americans: Ambassador J. Christophe Stevens, Information Officer Sean Smith, and two CIA operatives, Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods, both former Navy Seals.

In motivational, riveting, and inspirational presentations, John shares his intense story relaying his own actions, which directly saved the lives of many of his own team, and the combined heroic efforts of his team in saving over two dozen lives while fighting off terrorists for over 13 hours. John received the Award for Heroism and Valor in recognition of his bravery.

John is co-author of 13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened In Benghazi in collaboration with members of the Annex Security Team and New York Times’ best-selling author, Mitchell Zuckoff. He was instrumental in providing real-life experiences as a consultant on the movie 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi. John also assisted with the movie script and set design.

Having ‘retired’ from contract work, the married father of twins enjoys being at home in Colorado. His hobbies are camping, shooting, visiting with friends and enjoying time with his family. John Tiegen has excelled in every leadership position throughout his professional career. In each of these roles, he has strategically used his experience, skills and knowledge in the areas of foreign culture, weapons, logistics, preparation and execution to guide his team to success,
while maintaining camaraderie with all members. John learned early in life the importance of being a leader and having a strong work ethic. Four years in the United States Marine Corps forged the principled, driven man he is today. John has displayed a superior example of leadership, honor and courage throughout his 13 years of combined military and security service while dedicated to protecting America.