DIA Museum

Within these links below you’ll find the story of the Defense Investigatiors Association. The members, the events, and the volunteers that make this professional organization a leading source of training for Defense Investigators

DITA GRADUATES PAST SEMINARS & TRAININGS GALLERY DIA PRESIDENTS DIA MEETING MINUTES HISTORY

DITA Certified 
Criminal Defense Investigators

The Defense Investigator Training Academy was established by vote of the Board of Directors of the Defense Investigators Association in 1998.  The first DITA course was held in 1999 and it now celebrates over 25 years of excellence.  

DITA provides certified training in criminal defense investigations.  The individuals listed below have successfully completed the four modules to earn their Certificate in Criminal Defense Investigations (C.C.D.I.).

Name/ Grad Year

Ambar Aguilar / 2023
Elizabeth Aguilar / 2017
Jody Ahrens / 2023
Grace Alvarado / 2001
Omaid Amedi / 2017
Margarita Andrade / 2001
Kimberly Arellanes / 2001
Sarah Astor / 2019
Carrie Austin / 2023
Marisela Avila / 2019
Ryan Baer / 2024
Samuel Baez / 2019
Carlos Barajas / 2023
Christopher Barger / 2023
Ann Bartoe / 2001
Tyler Beal / 2017
Christina Becerra / 2023
Pascual Benitez / 2005
Marisa Berg / 2017
Laurie Best / 2023
Samantha Bone / 2025
Hector Botello / 2005
Bob Brandenberg / 2001
Karen Brard / 2024
Kimberly Bravo / 2023
Melvin Buford / 2005
Notty Bumbo 2009
Candace Cabales-Gonzales / 2002
Esther Cadua / 2017
Carla Calix / 2003
Carmina Camacho / 2022
Larry Carlton / 2005
Wendy Carlton Calderon / 2005
Lauren Carr / 2016
Carlos Carrera / 2007
Michelle Carroll / 2018
Michael Carruth / 2005
Erick Castellanos / 2018
Marivel Castellanos / 2018
Jorge Castro / 2019
Robert Caturegli / 2009
Josie Ceniceros / 2001
Cesar Chavarin / 2024
Stephanie Chavarria / 2024
Richard Chavez / 2014
Jenna Chercoe / 2023
Robert Childs / 2001
Anita Cook / 2019
Katelyn Cook / 2023

Ysabella Costa / 2018
Beth Cotton / 2001
Terry Courtney / 2017
Herbert Crumb / 2001
Jonathan Dagg / 2005
Lubna Debbini / 2001
Krista DeBusschere / 2019
Phillip DeGennarov / 2019
Luisa DeJesus / 2003
Carlos Del Carmen Romero / 2019
Patricia DeLaCruz / 2004
Nelly De La Mora / 2023
Elena Demetriou / 2002
Courtney Denice / 2017
Paige Devereaux / 2014
Carlos Diaz / 2022
Jennifer Dixon / 2023
Jean Dittmyer / 2001
Scott Dittmyer / 2001
Faytera Doddy / 2018
Juan Doig / 2018
Daniel Dorantes / 2023
Jessica Doyle / 2023
Alanna Dubois / 2019
Giselle Enriquez / 2017
Charlotte Epps Stowers / 2016
Mariana Errahebi / 2018
Sheree Martinek Evans / 2025

Name/ Grad Year

Chelsea Flores / 2023
Ezmeralda Garcia / 2016
Bianca Garcia / 2018
Israel Garcia / 2019
Dana Gary / 2019
Cynthia Getta / 2001
Mark Gills / 2024
Victor Gomez / 2003
Alejandra Gomez / 2017
Margarita Gonzales / 2025
Martha Gonzalez / 2023
Melissa Gort / 2018
Shannon Goss / 2005
Karen Gould / 2017
Abby Guardado / 2024
Beatriz Guillen / 2025
Adriela Guzman / 2017
Cynthia Hayes / 2002
Carmen Hernandez / 2001
Claudia Hernandez / 2024
Esmeralda Herrera / 2022
Aron Hershkowitz / 2014
Danielle Hidalgo / 2019
Carla Jacobs / 2001
Damaris James / 2017
Emily Jantz / 2019
David Jaquez / 2001
Lourdez Jimenez / 2023
Stephani Johnson / 2019
Megan Keith / 2023
Rachel Kidd / 2022
Sheila Klopper / 2002
Francie Koehler / 2001
Joseph Kral / 2014
Sheila Lacambra / 2017
Kristin Lahaszow / 2018
Shelly Lane / 2024 
Janice Lansaw / 2002
James Larma / 2003
Rima Lavine / 2023
Daniel Legge / 2018
Celia Lennon / 2005
Marc Levi / 2019
Karen Liu / 2024
Edith Lopez (Villapudua)/ 2014
Joel Lopez / 2019
Joslynn Lopez / 2019
Karla Lopez / 2025

Patricia Lopez / 2019
Tiffany Lopez / 2018
Luis Lozano / 2004
Lawanda Lyons-Pruitt / 2001
Leticia Macias / 2001
Daniel Malasavanh / 2017
Susan Mangum / 2005
Sonya Mariscal / 2005
Rene Markley / 2001
Christina Markwardt / 2005
Allison Marquez (Flores) / 2019
Angelica Martinez / 2024
David Martinez / 2017
Jeremy Maurer / 2017
Jerry Maya / 2002
Kyndra Maya / 2014
Lauren Mayfield (Crecelius) / 2019
William McCastle / 2001
George McCauley / 2001
Sara McCoy / 2024
Lloyd McCullough / 2024
Michael McDaniel / 2001
Marty McKenney / 2001
Ashley McMullen / 2023
Donna Medley / 2003
Eliseo Mendez / 2019
Veronica Mendieta / 2018
Yvette Mendoza / 2025
Aron Miller / 2017
Maria Miracle / 2018
Alicia Mongarro / 2005
Delicia Morales / 2016
Nicholas Morse / 2023
Stan Morgan / 2001
Terry Morris / 2017
David Mota / 2023
Keyla Muñoz / 2025
Ricardo Murillo / 2005

Name/ Grad Year

Erika Naylor / 2019
Amanda Nguyen / 2019
Cathy Nguyen / 2019
Quang Nguyen / 2024
Ryan Niss / 2017
Michael Noffsinger / 2017
Amber Nordgren / 2019
Darling Ortega / 2019
Jhosue Perez / 2022
Rocio Perez-Garcia / 2019
Carlos Perez-Zarazua / 2019
Charles Pfister / 2012
Luis Pineda / 2023
Lathena Pippen / 2023
Yadira Plaza / 2014
Patrick Quintana / 2002
Rich H. Ramirez / 2019
Adela Ramos / 2005
Jack Reime / 2001
Margarita Reyes / 2015
Gabriela Reynolds / 2017
Siobhan Rice / 2024
Gregory Risby / 2014
Roberto Rivera / 2001
Manuel Rivera / 2005
Claudia Rivera / 2019
Patricia Roberts / 2018
Darryl Robinson / 2005
Kimberly Rodas / 2023
Vicky Rodriguez / 2001
Krysta Rogala / 2018
Diego Romero / 2024
Dominique Rosales / 2023
Sasha Ruiz / 2019
Kathleen Sakoguchi / 2001
Alex Salazar / 2002
Javier Salazar / 2004
Lisa Salinas / 2017
Camille Savedra / 2016
Tianna Schweer / 2024
Melissa Shaver / 2024
Sean Shopes / 2014
Donna Sideman / 2001
Mychele Sims / 2017
Larry Smith / 2005
Equaan Smith / 2018
Juan Solis / 2014
Toni Soogoff / 2002
Kathryn Stansbury / 2001
Ashley Steklof / 2024
Dana Sullivan-Munoz / 2002
Tamara Thompson / 2002
James Tinetti / 2014
Jim Toguchi / 2001

Louie Toro / 2025
Stephanie Torres / 2018
Bobette Tryon / 2001
Shaina Tyler (Seivers) / 2018
Eliseo Uribe / 2001
Charlene Valdovinos / 2019
Erika Valiente / 2002
William Van Cleave / 2003
Jim Van Fleet / 2014
Joseph Vara / 2017
Ariana Vasquez (Ruiz) / 2017
Cristina Veloz / 2014
Yesenia Venegas / 2017
Erika Villa / 2019
Edith Villapudua (Lopez) / 2014
David Warkentine / 2002
Frankie Washington / 2001
Lia Wathen / 2018
Charles Wiggins / 2014
Brenda Wilson / 2018
Kyle Winnen / 2019
James Winter / 2023
Joya Wright (Cazares) / 2014
Sergio Zamudio / 2004
Bennett Zeuli / 2023
Heather Zuberbier / 2004


There are hundreds more in the process of earing their certificate. 
DITA modules are held twice per year.

List Updated Spring 2025       

DIA PAST PRESID​ENTS

2024-2026 - Leticia Macias, Los Angeles County Public Defender (60th Anniversary)

2022-2023 Ron Weber, Tulare County Public Defender (Resigned)

2019-2022 Elizabeth Aguilar, Los Angeles County Public Defender (COVID extra year)

2017-2019 Jerry Maya, Alameda County Public Defender

2016-2017 Pascual Benitez, San Diego County Alternate Public Defender (50th Anniversary)

2015 John Maness, San Mateo County Private Defender (Resigned)
2014-2015 Robert Childs, Santa Barbara County Public Defender

2013-2014 Ron Weber, Tulare County Public Defender

2012-2013 Leticia Macias, Los Angeles County Public Defender

2011-2012 Jerry Maya, Alameda County Public Defender

2010-2011 Leticia Macias, Los Angeles County Public Defender

2009-2010 Alayne Bolster, Santa Clara County Public Defender

2008-2009 Ann Favor, Ventura County Public Defender

2007-2008 Carla Jacobs, Sonoma County Public Defender

2006-2007 James Larma, Kern County Public Defender

2005-2006 Elizabeth Dea, Alameda County Public Defender

2004-2005 Scott Dittmyer, San Diego County Public Defender

2003-2004 Josie Ceniceros, Marin County Public Defender

2002-2003 Carmen Hernandez, San Diego County Alternate Public Defender

2001-2002 Robert Caturegli, Alameda County Public Defender

2000-2001 Scott Gould, San Diego County Public Defender

1999-2000 William Van Cleave, Santa Clara County Public Defender (Start of DITA)

1998-1999 Jean Dittmyer, San Diego County Alternate Public Defender

1997-1998 Les Durfee, Solano County Public Defender

1996-1997 Scott Gould, San Diego County Public Defender

1995-1996 Hector Botello, Alameda County Public Defender

1994-1995 David Fortman, San Diego County Alternate Public Defender

1993-1994 Elizabeth Dea, Alameda County Public Defender

1992-1993 Scott Gould, San Diego County Public Defender

1991-1992 Bob Caturegli, Alameda County Public Defender

1990-1991 Jim Larma, Kern County Public Defender

1989-1990 Julie Hanretty, Sacramento County Public Defender

1988-1989 Arthur Jimenez, Ventura County Public Defender

1987-1988 Bret Bandley, Yolo County Public Defender

1986-1987 Janna Fallon, Los Angeles County Public Defender

1985-1986 Janna Fallon, Los Angeles County Public Defender

1984-1985 Scott Wilmore, Sonoma County Public Defender

1983-1984 Lowell Salser, Los Angeles County Public Defender

1982-1983 Richard Goyette, San Joaquin County Public Defender

1981-1982 James Larma, Kern County Public Defender 

1980-1981 John Smith, Sacramento County Public Defender (Charter Member)

1979-1980 Solimondi Coricelli, San Bernardio County Public Defender (Charter Member)

1978-1979 John McMahan, Yolo County Public Defender

1977-1978 George Mogle, Orange County Public Defender

1976-1977 Harlan Minshew, San Mateo County Public Defender

1975-1976 Richard Byrd, Los Angeles County Public Defender

1974-1975 Charles Gulseth, Alameda County Public Defender

1973-1974 James Johnson, Los Angeles County Public Defender (Charter Member)

1972-1973 Thomas Rauch, Alameda County Public Defender (Charter Member)

1971-1972 Neil Oudejans, Los Angeles County Public Defender

1970-1971 Mickey C. Preminger, Contra Costa County Public Defender

1969-70 Phillip Bennett, Los Angeles County Public Defender

1968-1969 Harry Guyton, San Francisco Public Defender (Charter Member)

1967-1968 James Hewitt, San Bernardino County Public Defender (Charter Member)

1966-1967 Jerry O’Connell, Santa Clara County Public Defender (Charter Member)

–

3x Presidents:

2024-2026, 2012-2013, 2010-2011 Leticia Macias

2006-2007, 1990-1991, 1982-1983 Jim Larma

2000-2001, 1996-1997, 1992-1993 Scott Gould

–

2x Presidents :

2022-2023, 2013-2014 Ron Weber

2017-2019, 2011-2012 Jerry Maya

2005-2006, 1993-1994 Elizabeth Dea

2001-2002, 1991-1992 Robert Caturegli

1986-1987, 1985-1986 Janna Fallon

CURRENT 
DIA EXECUTIVES

2012 DIA Spring Seminar - May 10th & 11th, Crown Plaza Hotel, Redondo Beach

2011  Fall ?

2010  ?

2009 DIA Spring Seminar - "Investigation Through The Kaleidoscope" May 21st & 22nd 

2008 DIA Spring Conference May 16, 2008 Crown Plaza Hotel Ventura Beach   

2007 - 

2006 - 

DITA 4 - August 9-14, 2005, Allan Hancock College, Lompoc

2005 DIA Spring Conference, May 12 thru May 14, 2005 “Advanced Skills Workshop: Interviewing Techniques, Reporting methods, Specialized Investigations, and Use of Data Bases."

2004 DIA Fall Conference -  October 21st thru October 23rd 

DITA 3 - August 19-31, 2004, Quailes in Resort, San Marcos, 

2004 DIA Spring Conference - “Forensic Evidence Update” Holiday Inn Civic Center 50 Eight St., San Francisco

2003 

DITA 2 - March 11-16, 2003, Royal Scandanavian Inn, Solvang

DITA 1 - October 15-20, 2002, ​Royal Scandanavian Inn, Solvang

2002 

2001 DIA Spring Conference, May 2 thru May 4th, 2002 “A Closer Look at Criminal Defense Issues” Wyndham Hotel-Palm Springs 888 East Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Spring, CA 92262. 

2001 DIA Spring Conference May 10, thru May 12th, 2001 “Examination of Forensic Evidence” at Casa Munras Hotel 700 Munras Ave. Monterey, CA 93940.   

DITA 3 - March 2, 2001, Resort at Stallion Springs

2000 DIA Fall Conference - “Capital Case Investigation” November 2nd & 3rd, Executive Inn 1755 Embarcadero Dr., Oakland

2000 DIA Spring Conference - “Criminal Investigation: Moving Ahead Into the 21st Century” May 4th – 6th , The Holiday Inn Ventura Beach Resort, Ventura    

---

1999 DIA Fall Conference / DITA - First DITA Course, November 10th to 14th, Solvang

1999 DIA Spring Training Conference - "Keying into Successful Investigations" May 13th to `15th, Reno, Nevada

1998 DIA Fall Conference - "Looking forward, Juvenile Delinquency and Computerization into the 21st Century" October 22nd to 24th, San Jose Hilton, San Jose

1998 DIA Spring Conference - May 7th to 9th, Ventura

1997 DIA Fall Conference - October 23rd to 25th, Horton Grand Hotel, San Diego

1997 DIA Spring Conference - May 8th to 10th, Radisson Hotel, Sacramento

1996 DIA Fall Conference - October 10th to 12th, Executive Inn, Embarcadero Cove, Oakland

1996 DIA Spring Conference - Ventura (30th Anniversary & power outage!)

1995 DIA Fall Conference - San Diego  (Basic Defense Investigation Academy - Precursor to DITA training)

1995 29th Annual DIA Conference - April 28th & 29th, Lakeside Inn, Lake Tahoe, Nevada

1994 DIA Fall Conference - "Murder, Treachery & Fortune" October 21st & 22nd, Sands Regency Hotel, Reno, Nevada

1994 DIA Spring Conference - "Psychological and Witness Evidence" May 5th to 7th, Casa Sirena Inn, Oxnard

1993 DIA Fall Training Conference - Clairion Inn, Napa or Crown-Sterling Suites, San Francisco            

1993 DIA Spring Conference - May, Ventura

1992 DIA Fall Conference - October 24th to 26th, Clarion Inn, Napa 

1992 DIA Annual Spring Conference - April 23rd to 25th, Hanalalei Hotel, San Diego 

1991 DIA Confrence - "The Psychology and Investigation of Violent Crimes" October 24th to 26th, Clarion Inn, Napa Valley

1990 24th DIA Annual Conference/Seminar - May 3rd & 4th, Palm Springs

1989 DIA Training Conference - Jan. 25th to 27th, Clarion Inn, Napa Valley

1988 DIA Annual Conference/Seminar - April 28th to 30th, Casa Sirena Hotel, Oxnard

1987 - 

1986 DIA Annual Training Seminar - May 1st to 3rd, Hanalei Hotel, San Diego

1986 Training Seminar - Jan 31  & Feb. 1st, Northern California Criminal Justice Training Center, Sacramento ($30 for members, $50 for non-members)

1985 DIA Conference - Yosemitie National Park, Wawona Lodge

Several meetings have been lost to history, if or anyone you know can share information about past DIA events, please let us know.

1966 - Founding of DIA

* Above list is not all inclusive.