TRAINING STATEMENT OF DETECTIVE DENZIL LEWIS
TERRE HAUTE POLICE DEPARTMENT & VIGO COUNTY DRUG TASK FORCE
I have been employed with the Terre Haute Police Department since January 2nd 1987. During my service with the Terre Haute Police Department I have been assigned to Communications, Patrol Division, Tactical Unit, and Criminal Investigation Division and to the Vigo County Drug Task Force.
I graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in 1987, class 87-89. At the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy I earned a certificate of Attainment on Drug and Narcotics Investigations
In 1987 I also graduated from Indiana State University with a Bachelors of Science degree in criminology
On 01.01.1996 I was assigned to the Vigo County Drug Task Force. This assignment was a pre-determined, two year assignment. On 10.01.1998 I was reassigned to the Vigo County Drug Task Force. I have been assigned to this unit since then.
On February 17th 2005 I was sworn as a Special Deputy Sheriff for Vigo County. This appointment was made by Sheriff John Marvel and subscribed and sworn before Patricia Mansard, clerk of Vigo County
I have received a certification from Indiana University School of Medicine for the purpose of operating a Breathalyzer.
I have received a certification in the proper application and correct interpretation of Controlled Substance Field test results for controlled substances. This certification class was instructed by Jack Thorndike of ODV Inc. (February 19th 2004)
I have received training and a certification from the United States Department of Justice in Narcotics Identification and Drug Trafficking. The seminar was instructed by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
I have received training and a certification on the topic of Street level Drug Enforcement. The seminar was instructed by Major AL Ortenzo of the Ft. Lauderdale Police Department.
I have received training and a certification on the topic of Drug Enforcement and Investigations of Drug Related Violent Crimes. This seminar was instructed by Sgt. Terry Sult of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Violent Crimes Task Force.
I have received training and a certification on the topic of Designer Drugs such as GHB, Ecstasy, Ketamine, and LSD. This seminar was instructed by Trinka Porrata of the Multi-jurisdictional Drug Task Force (May 30th 2001).
I have attended seminars hosted by the Indiana Drug Enforcement Association. I received training on topics such as Undercover narcotics operations, Motorcycle Gangs, Hidden Compartments, Heroin, Cocaine, Cocaine Base, Marijuana eradication, raves, addictions, Money laundering, phone tolls, legal updates and other drug related topics. (Feb 1996-2004, 2007).
I have received training and a certification on the topic of Tracing Illegal Proceeds. This seminar was hosted by the training institute and taught by retired IRS agent Ed Burke. (April 2001).
I have received training and a certification on the topics of Search/ Seizure and Obtaining Confessions. This seminar was hosted by the Vigo County Prosecutors Office.
I have received training and a certification on the topic of Mental Preparation for Violent Confrontations. This seminar was hosted by the United States Department of Justice and instructed by retired agent James Crotty of the Alcohol Tobacco and firearms (ATF).
In June 2000 I became a member of the International Narcotics Interdiction Association. I attended a seminar for specialized training and certification on such topics as Constitutional Issues, Parcel Interdiction, Highway Interdiction, Asset forfeitures and Interviews relating to narcotics investigations
In June of 2001 I attended another seminar hosted by the International Narcotics Interdiction Association. At this seminar I received training and certification on such topics as Bus Interdiction, Knock and Talks, Interview techniques, Courier Characteristics and Asset Forfeitures.
In May of 2002 I attended another seminar hosted by the International Narcotics Interdiction Association. At this seminar I received training and certification on such topics as Bus Interdiction, red flags, criminal characteristics of couriers, interdiction legal updates, Parcel Investigations, Asset seizure investigations, identifying fraudulent documents and Incident stabilization through negotiations.
During the May 2002 International Narcotic Interdiction Association seminar, I also received extensive specialized training on Terrorism Groups. The topics in the class related to Radical Islamic movement overview, events leading to 9.11 terrorist attacks, Terrorist groups involved, pre-incident indicators, methods of information collection and analysis of terrorist group intelligence. The class was instructed by James L Stinson. Mr. Stinson is a 33-year counter-intelligence and counter terrorism veteran who provides threat assessment for the Department of Defense and Department of Energy.
In May 2005 I attended the International Narcotic Interdiction association seminar. I received extensive training in Practical Asset forfeiture, Bulk Currency Investigations, Asset Seizure, Surviving Gunshot Wounds, Narcotics Officer Survival, Constitutional Issues in Interdiction Cases and the Reid Technique of Interrogation
I have received training and a certification on Investigations and Safety of Clandestine Labs. The training related to being able to identify and handling the ingredients used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine and GHB. The class was hosted by the Drug Enforcement Administration at Quantico, VA. This certification allows me to enter and seize clandestine drug manufacturing laboratories (April29th –May 3rd).
I have received training and a certification from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy on the topic of Instructor Training. Upon completion of this class I became a certified instructor for law enforcement in the state of Indiana (August 2002).
In 2008 I was hired as an Instructor for “Desert Snow”. I was hired to teach Methamphetamine indicator class as well as assist with instruction on interdiction techniques. As an instructor I have instructed Officers with the Utah State Police, Montana State Police, Indiana State Police, U.S. Border patrol agents, San Diego County Sheriffs Deputies and a host of other city and county law enforcement agency across the country.
I have participated in, at least 800 clandestine methamphetamine lab investigations. I have interviewed numerous suspects in relationship to acquiring precursors as well as the use and manufacturing of methamphetamine.
In March 2008 I attended a week of specialized training named “Desert Snow”. The primary topic of this specialized training was vehicular criminal interdiction. The training involved the searching, and locating of contraband such as controlled substances, U.S. currency, weapons, and explosives. The training also included being able to identify subject and vehicle indicators leading to vehicle consent to searches. In this class I searched over 223 natural constructed personal compartments, locating over 2,217 pounds of controlled substances and 6.3 million in currency.
I have conducted numerous surveillance operations, observing drug offenders conducting drug transactions as well as abusing/using various controlled substances. I have conducted at least 1200 drug related searches based on personal observations and or information obtained through reliable informants
During my 22 year career I have been involved directly and indirectly with the obtaining and execution of more than 400 search warrants. I have worked with and or controlled more than 300 confidential Informants. I have interviewed and spoken with hundreds of drug offenders as well as Narcotics agents in regards to drug trends and drug dealing activities across the United States.
I have assisted in over fifty federal investigations including five title III investigations (AKA wiretaps). As part of these investigations I have worked with Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), United States Postal Inspectors (USPI), United States Customs, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), United States Marshals (USM) and Internal Revenue Service-CID (IRS).
I have testified in State and Federal court on at least 300 occasions involving detention hearings, initial probable cause hearings, suppression hearings, and trials. These trials have involved Drug Dealing, Murder, Burglary, Theft, Robbery, Rape and numerous other crimes.
I assisted with the development and implementation of Vigo County’s asset forfeiture program. As an asset forfeiture specialist with the Vigo County Drug Task Force, I have been involved in the seizure and forfeiture of more then 2 million dollars in U.S. Currency. I have also been involved in the seizure and forfeiture of over 60 vehicles used in the commission of Drug Dealing offenses or purchased with illegal proceeds. I have also seized numerous houses and other tangible goods in relationship to asset forfeiture.