2026 Conference on Violent Crime: Full Schedule

8:30am EDT

Tuesday June 2, 2026 8:30am - 8:45am EDT

Presentation of ColorsVirginia State Police Honor GuardNational AnthemLynsey Strohminger, Virginia Department of Criminal Justice ServicesOpening RemarksDivision Director Lindsay Burton, Virginia Department of Criminal Justice ServicesDirector Ashaki McNeil, Virginia Department of Criminal Justice ServicesAttorney General Jay Jones, Office of the Attorney GeneralChief Mark Talbot, Norfolk Police...
See More →

Tuesday June 2, 2026 8:30am - 8:45am EDT
Poplar/Providence Hall

Keynote

9:00am EDT

New Orleans Case Study

Tuesday June 2, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

Poplar/Providence Hall

This session outlines the FBI’s response to the January 1, 2025 violent extremist attack in New Orleans. It highlights the rapid activation of the Crisis Response Plan, coordination with local, state, and federal partners, and the FBI’s assumption of lead investigative authority once the attack was determined to be ISIS‑inspired.Attendees will learn how more than two hundred personnel were...
See More →

Speakers

Traylon Williams

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Tuesday June 2, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
Poplar/Providence Hall

Keynote

10:30am EDT

Break

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:30am - 10:45am EDT

Poplar/Providence Hall

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:30am - 10:45am EDT
Poplar/Providence Hall

Break

10:45am EDT

Building Effective Partnerships Between Law Enforcement (LE) and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) to Reduce Violent Crime

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:45am - 12:15pm EDT

Poplar/Providence Hall

This session will provide an overview of the presenters’ experiences in building effective partnerships between law enforcement and community-based organizations in Portsmouth.

Speakers

Stephen Jenkins

Chief of Police, Portsmouth Police Department

Chantal Matthews

Portsmouth Police Department, Portsmouth Police Department

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:45am - 12:15pm EDT
Poplar/Providence Hall

Keynote

12:15pm EDT

Lunch

Tuesday June 2, 2026 12:15pm - 1:15pm EDT

Stafford and York Ballrooms

Provided.

Tuesday June 2, 2026 12:15pm - 1:15pm EDT
Stafford and York Ballrooms

Break

1:15pm EDT

Justice in the Age of Generative AI: The Impact of AI on 21st Century Investigations and Prosecutions

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:15pm - 2:45pm EDT

Poplar/Providence Hall

The justice system depends on evidence. Generative AI now challenges the reliability of that evidence while simultaneously offering powerful new investigative capabilities. For violent crime investigators and prosecutors, the stakes are immediate and profound. This keynote introduces a three-dimensional framework for understanding AI: capabilities, tools, and applications. It examines how...
See More →

Speakers

Justin Fitzsimmons

Technical Prosecutor Lead, Technical Prosecutor Lead

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:15pm - 2:45pm EDT
Poplar/Providence Hall

Keynote

2:45pm EDT

Break

Tuesday June 2, 2026 2:45pm - 3:00pm EDT

Poplar/Providence Hall

Tuesday June 2, 2026 2:45pm - 3:00pm EDT
Poplar/Providence Hall

Break

3:00pm EDT

Coded Communication – The Message Within

Tuesday June 2, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT

Claremont

This course provides participants with an overview of a variety of cipher systems and cryptic communications commonly used by gangs, other organizations, and sometimes non-affiliates to disguise and confuse authorities and avoid detection. Through real-world examples and practical analysis, attendees will have the opportunity to decipher examples of coded communication. This course will also...
See More →

Speakers

Wesley Diggs

Gang Unit Assistant Chief, Virginia Department of Corrections

As the Assistant Chief of the Office of Law Enforcement Services Gang Unit, I lead a team of Specialists tasked with gang management within the Virginia Department of Corrections. My commitment to gang management has spanned my entire 23-year career. During this time, I've attended... Read More →

Tuesday June 2, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Claremont

Breakout

3:00pm EDT

Lethality Assessment Protocol (LAP): Enhancing of Coordinated Community Response to Intimate Partner Violence

Tuesday June 2, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT

Monticello

Based on the “Maryland Model” and the research by Dr. Jacquelyn Campbell, Virginia’s Lethality Assessment Program (LAP) is an innovative strategy to prevent Intimate Partner Violence homicides and serious injuries. Using an 11-question, evidence-based Lethality Assessment field tool, law enforcement can assess the risk of serious injury or homicide by an intimate partner and immediately...
See More →

Speakers

Ashley Manuel

Victim Specialist/LAP Coordinator, Office of the Attorney General

Enhancing your Coordinated Community Response to Intimate Partner Violence (Domestic Violence). Intimate Partner Homicide Prevention.Lethality Assessment Program (Maryland Model).How the Lethality Assessment Screen can prove instrumental to Officer safety. How the Lethality Assessment... Read More →

Tuesday June 2, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Monticello

Breakout

3:00pm EDT

Serial Offenders

Tuesday June 2, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT

Brandon A/B

This block of instruction provides the audience with an overview of serial offenses such as homicide, sexual assault, and robbery. The audience will be given insight into the offender behavior, investigative techniques for these cases, and case linkage.

Speakers

Tom Seftick

Supervisory Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation

Tuesday June 2, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Brandon A/B

Breakout

3:00pm EDT

Uber Resources for Law Enforcement: Uber Public Safety Response and Investigative Support

Tuesday June 2, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT

Merrimac

This presentation will provide the audience with an overview of Uber’s Global Public Safety team and how we work with law enforcement to support investigations, critical incidents, and community safety. The audience will learn more about Uber’s various lines of business, data collection and privacy, and how to submit requests to obtain information for criminal investigations. The presenter...
See More →

Speakers

Danielle McDonald

Senior Public Safety Liaison Manager, Uber Technologies

Tuesday June 2, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Merrimac

Breakout

3:00pm EDT

Understanding Child Abductions and Offender Behavior

Tuesday June 2, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT

Riverwalk

The primary purpose of this block is to provide instruction on the behavioral dynamics of sexually motivated child abductions and insights into offender behavior and victimology in order to support investigative best practices and considerations.

Speakers

Daniel O'Donnell

Supervisory Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation

Jake Hardie

FBI

Tuesday June 2, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Riverwalk

Breakout

8:00am EDT

What The Data Shows: Recent Trends in Crime, Drugs, Jails and More

Wednesday June 3, 2026 8:00am - 8:30am EDT

Poplar/Providence Hall

This session will cover various criminal justice trends, including violent crime and gun violence, and will identify online sources for data on crimes, drugs, and more in Virginia.

Speakers

Baron Blakley

Manager, Criminal Justice Research Center, Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services

Wednesday June 3, 2026 8:00am - 8:30am EDT
Poplar/Providence Hall

Keynote

8:30am EDT

Reducing Violent Crime: The Twelve Principles and Practices

Wednesday June 3, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT

Poplar/Providence Hall

The City of Norfolk has seen a decrease in homicides and gun violence since 2023. This hour-long discussion summarizes the principles and practices necessary to achieve sustainable reductions in violence, providing an actionable pathway toward safer communities.

Speakers

Mark Talbot

Chief of Police, Norfolk Police Department

Wednesday June 3, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Poplar/Providence Hall

Keynote

9:30am EDT

No Buyers, No Business: The Role of Demand in Sex Trafficking

Wednesday June 3, 2026 9:30am - 10:45am EDT

Poplar/Providence Hall

Sex trafficking occurs daily across Virginia, with traffickers targeting individuals with vulnerabilities and exploiting them for profit. While much attention is rightly focused on traffickers and survivors, far less is understood about the role of buyers in sustaining this system. Sex trafficking operates within a framework of supply and demand—without demand, exploitation would not be...
See More →

Speakers

McKayla Burnett

State Trafficking Response Coordinator, Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services

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 →

Wednesday June 3, 2026 9:30am - 10:45am EDT
Poplar/Providence Hall

Keynote

10:45am EDT

Break

Wednesday June 3, 2026 10:45am - 11:00am EDT

Poplar/Providence Hall

Wednesday June 3, 2026 10:45am - 11:00am EDT
Poplar/Providence Hall

Break

11:00am EDT

Advanced Cellular Exploitation Techniques and Innovative Intelligence Collection

Wednesday June 3, 2026 11:00am - 12:15pm EDT

Poplar/Providence Hall

There are more cellular devices in the world than people. Are we maximizing all this data to its fullest? Do other agencies hold intelligence that could solve our case? How do we overcome the siloing of this information? This presentation will explore these questions and more.

Speakers

Brian Fleming

Drug Unit Supervisor, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation

Wednesday June 3, 2026 11:00am - 12:15pm EDT
Poplar/Providence Hall

Keynote

12:15pm EDT

Lunch

Wednesday June 3, 2026 12:15pm - 1:15pm EDT

Stafford and York Ballrooms

Provided.

Wednesday June 3, 2026 12:15pm - 1:15pm EDT
Stafford and York Ballrooms

Break

1:15pm EDT

Legacy Physical Security Is Outdated: The Evolution of Small Unmanned Aerial Systems

Wednesday June 3, 2026 1:15pm - 2:45pm EDT

Poplar/Providence Hall

This presentation examines how traditional physical security models—built around fixed perimeters, access control, and ground-based threats—are increasingly ineffective against the rapid evolution of small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS). It explores how commercially available drones have transformed the threat landscape by enabling low-cost, highly adaptable aerial surveillance and strike...
See More →

Speakers

William Edwards

Business Executive and Operations Strategist, Phoenix 6 Consulting

Wednesday June 3, 2026 1:15pm - 2:45pm EDT
Poplar/Providence Hall

Keynote

2:45pm EDT

Break

Wednesday June 3, 2026 2:45pm - 3:00pm EDT

Poplar/Providence Hall

Wednesday June 3, 2026 2:45pm - 3:00pm EDT
Poplar/Providence Hall

Break

3:00pm EDT

Digging Deeper: Additional Innovative Techniques and Case Studies that Demonstrate These Practices

Wednesday June 3, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT

Merrimac

This breakout session will build upon the methodologies discussed during the keynote, providing additional approaches and case studies that highlight the techniques in practice.

Speakers

Brian Fleming

Drug Unit Supervisor, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation

Wednesday June 3, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Merrimac

Breakout

3:00pm EDT

ICAC Overview and Child Exploitation Resources

Wednesday June 3, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT

Brandon A/B

This presentation provides an overview of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. Attendees will gain insight into the types of online child exploitation cases ICAC investigates, how the task force network operates, and how investigators can effectively leverage ICAC resources for CyberTip triage, digital forensic support, and multi-state coordination. It also highlights current...
See More →

Speakers

Courtney Simmonds

Special Agent, Virginia State Police

Wednesday June 3, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Brandon A/B

Breakout

3:00pm EDT

Legal Update

Wednesday June 3, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT

Monticello

This presentation reviews key legal updates from the Virginia General Assembly that affect law enforcement, Departments of Corrections (DOC), and Departments of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). This session highlights new laws, focusing on the practical implications of these updates and how agencies can maintain compliance with current legal standards.

Speakers

Jason Kowalski

Staff Attorney, Commonwealth Attorney's Service Council

Wednesday June 3, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Monticello

Breakout

3:00pm EDT

Proven Techniques to Increase Clearance Rates and Reduce Incidents of Violent Crime

Wednesday June 3, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT

Claremont

This block of instruction identifies common themes, technical gaps, and recommendations found across completed NFS and homicide reports across all National Public Safety Partnership (PSP) sites. The presentation will provide stakeholders with an understanding of the types of recommendations made to PSP sites through non-fatal shooting and homicide assessments. The presentation will identify common...
See More →

Speakers

Brian Russell

Director/Chief of the Community Engagement Unit, Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice

Phillip Figura

Hearing Legal Services Officer, Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice

Wednesday June 3, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Claremont

Breakout

3:00pm EDT

Suicide Risk, Violence Risk, & Mental Health: A Complicated and Often Misunderstood Relationship

Wednesday June 3, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT

Riverwalk

Mental health problems are often linked to violence risk, and mental health treatment to violence risk reduction. This formulation allows people with different perspectives to come together and pursue shared goals. However, the rationale behind these linkages is based on both accurate and inaccurate appraisals of the nature of those associations. Productive policy and supportive responses to...
See More →

Speakers

Jeffrey Aaron

Juvenile Justice & Behavioral Health Program Manager, Virginia Department of Behavioral Health

Jeffrey Aaron, Ph.D. is a clinical and forensic psychologist. Currently the Juvenile Justice & Behavioral Health Program Manager for the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services, he previously spent almost 18 years at the Commonwealth Center for Children and... Read More →

Wednesday June 3, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Riverwalk

Breakout

8:30am EDT

Engaging Leadership: Building Relationships and Resiliency to Overcome Adversity

Thursday June 4, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am EDT

Poplar/Providence Hall

Engaging Leadership: Building Relationships and Resiliency to Overcome Adversity is a program that supports and inspires an organization’s members to go that extra step and connect with those people and places within their areas of influence, and support resiliency within the organization and your personnel, all while keeping an eye on the future and developing personnel to step up and take the...
See More →

Speakers

Paul Bailey

Deputy Chief of Police, Bailey Training & Consulting

Thursday June 4, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Poplar/Providence Hall

Keynote

10:00am EDT

Break

Thursday June 4, 2026 10:00am - 10:15am EDT

Poplar/Providence Hall

Thursday June 4, 2026 10:00am - 10:15am EDT
Poplar/Providence Hall

Break

10:15am EDT

Neo-Nazis, Swatting, and Warning Behaviors: A Case Study in Teenage Radicalization

Thursday June 4, 2026 10:15am - 12:15pm EDT

Poplar/Providence Hall

In June of 2023, a group proclaiming themselves as the Eurocell Swatting Group targeted Jewish, LGBTQ, and African American gathering centers via suicide hotlines and would threaten mass shootings and bombings. An extensive investigation involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation, local law enforcement, and the Anti-Defamation League revealed five subjects, two of whom were juveniles living in...
See More →

Speakers

Denise French

Sergeant, Orange County Sheriff's Department

Thursday June 4, 2026 10:15am - 12:15pm EDT
Poplar/Providence Hall

Keynote

8:30am EDT

9:00am EDT

10:30am EDT

10:45am EDT

12:15pm EDT

1:15pm EDT

2:45pm EDT

3:00pm EDT

3:00pm EDT

3:00pm EDT

3:00pm EDT

3:00pm EDT

8:00am EDT

8:30am EDT

9:30am EDT

10:45am EDT

11:00am EDT

12:15pm EDT

1:15pm EDT

2:45pm EDT

3:00pm EDT

3:00pm EDT

3:00pm EDT

3:00pm EDT

3:00pm EDT

8:30am EDT

10:00am EDT

10:15am EDT

Get help with the event