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
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.).
Ambar Aguilar / 2023Elizabeth Aguilar / 2017Jody Ahrens / 2023Grace Alvarado / 2001Omaid Amedi / 2017Margarita Andrade / 2001Kimberly Arellanes / 2001 Sarah Astor / 2019Carrie Austin / 2023Marisela Avila / 2019Ryan Baer / 2024Samuel Baez / 2019Carlos Barajas / 2023Christopher Barger / 2023Ann Bartoe / 2001Tyler Beal / 2017Christina Becerra / 2023Pascual Benitez / 2005 Marisa Berg / 2017 Laurie Best / 2023Hector Botello / 2005 Bob Brandenberg / 2001 Karen Brard / 2024Kimberly Bravo / 2023Melvin Buford / 2005 Notty Bumbo 2009 Candace Cabales-Gonzales / 2002 Esther Cadua / 2017 Carla Calix / 2003 Carmina Camacho / 2022Larry 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 Richard Chavez / 2014 Jenna Chercoe / 2023Robert Childs / 2001 Anita Cook / 2019Katelyn 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 / 2023Elena Demetriou / 2002 Courtney Denice / 2017 Paige Devereaux / 2014 Carlos Diaz / 2022Jennifer Dixon / 2023Jean Dittmyer / 2001 Scott Dittmyer / 2001 Faytera Doddy / 2018 Juan Doig / 2018Daniel Dorantes / 2023Jessica Doyle / 2023Alanna Dubois / 2019 Giselle Enriquez / 2017 Charlotte Epps Stowers / 2016 Mariana Errahebi / 2018
Chelsea Flores / 2023Ezmeralda Garcia / 2016 Bianca Garcia / 2018 Israel Garcia / 2019 Dana Gary / 2019 Cynthia Getta / 2001 Victor Gomez / 2003 Alejandra Gomez / 2017 Martha Gonzalez / 2023Melissa Gort / 2018 Shannon Goss / 2005 Karen Gould / 2017 Adriela Guzman / 2017 Cynthia Hayes / 2002 Carmen Hernandez / 2001 Claudia Hernandez / 2024Esmeralda Herrera / 2022Aron Hershkowitz / 2014 Danielle Hidalgo / 2019 Carla Jacobs / 2001 Damaris James / 2017 Emily Jantz / 2019 David Jaquez / 2001 Lourdez Jimenez / 2023Stephani Johnson / 2019 Megan Keith / 2023Rachel Kidd / 2022Sheila 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 / 2023Daniel Legge / 2018 Celia Lennon / 2005 Marc Levi / 2019 Karen Liu / 2024Edith Lopez (Villapudua)/ 2014Joel Lopez / 2019Joslynn Lopez / 2019
Patricia Lopez / 2019Tiffany Lopez / 2018Luis 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 David Martinez / 2017 Jeremy Maurer / 2017 Jerry Maya / 2002 Kyndra Maya / 2014 Lauren Mayfield (Crecelius) / 2019 William McCastle / 2001 George McCauley / 2001 Michael McDaniel / 2001 Marty McKenney / 2001 Ashley McMullen / 2023Donna Medley / 2003 Eliseo Mendez / 2019 Veronica Mendieta / 2018 Aron Miller / 2017 Maria Miracle / 2018 Alicia Mongarro / 2005 Delicia Morales / 2016Nicholas Morse / 2023Stan Morgan / 2001 Terry Morris / 2017 David Mota / 2023Ricardo Murillo / 2005 Erika Naylor / 2019 Amanda Nguyen / 2019Cathy Nguyen / 2019 Quang Nguyen / 2024Ryan Niss / 2017
Michael Noffsinger / 2017 Amber Nordgren / 2019 Darling Ortega / 2019 Jhosue Perez / 2022Rocio Perez-Garcia / 2019 Carlos Perez-Zarazua / 2019 Charles Pfister / 2012Luis Pineda / 2023Lathena Pippen / 2023Yadira Plaza / 2014 Patrick Quintana / 2002 Rich H. Ramirez / 2019 Adela Ramos / 2005 Jack Reime / 2001 Margarita Reyes / 2015 Gabriela Reynolds / 2017 Siobhan Rice / 2024Gregory Risby / 2014 Roberto Rivera / 2001 Manuel Rivera / 2005 Claudia Rivera / 2019 Patricia Roberts / 2018 Darryl Robinson / 2005 Kimberly Rodas / 2023Vicky Rodriguez / 2001 Krysta Rogala / 2018 Dominique Rosales / 2023Sasha Ruiz / 2019 Kathleen Sakoguchi / 2001 Alex Salazar / 2002 Javier Salazar / 2004 Lisa Salinas / 2017 Camille Savedra / 2016 Sean Shopes / 2014 Donna Sideman / 2001 Mychele Sims / 2017 Larry Smith / 2005 Equaan Smith / 2018 Juan Solis / 2014 Toni Soogoff / 2002 Kathryn Stansbury / 2001 Dana Sullivan-Munoz / 2002 Tamara Thompson / 2002 James Tinetti / 2014 Jim Toguchi / 2001
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 / 2023Joya Wright (Cazares) / 2014 Sergio Zamudio / 2004 Bennett Zeuli / 2023Heather Zuberbier / 2004 There are hundreds more in the process of earing their certificate. DITA modules are held twice per year. List Updated Spring 2024
First graduating class of DITA circa 2001 Featuring former DIA Presidents: Leticia Macias, Carmen Hernandez, Scott Dittmyer, & Jean Dittmyer
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
2025 DIA Annual Seminar - TBA DITA 3 Communication for the Investigator - TBD The Cliffs Hotel, Pismo Beach DITA 2 Case Development and Procedures - September 23rd - 27th, the Dana on Mission Bay, San Diego 25th Anniversary of DITA 2024 DIA Annual Conference - August 1st & 2nd, Santa Ynez Valley Marriotte, Beulton DITA 1 Core Pillars of Defense Investigation - April 8th - 12th, Mariotte Ventura Beach, Ventura DITA 4 - October 16-20, 2023, Best Western Island Palms, San Diego 2023 DIA Annual Seminar - July 27th & 28th, Marriotte Ventura Beach, Ventura DITA 3 - March 20-24, 2023, Cliffs Hotel, Pismo Beach DITA 2 - October 24-28, 2022, Best Western Hacienda Inn, San Diego 2022 DIA Annual Seminar - August 25th & 26th, DoubleTree Rosemead, Rosemead DITA 1 - May 23-27, 2022, DoubleTree, Rosemead 2021 DIA Annual Seminar - Virtual meeting & 16 Webinars on various topics (COVID times) 2020 DIA Annual Seminar - Virtual meeting commencement of COVID Webinars DITA 4 - October 7-11, 2019, Best Western Island Palms, San Diego 2019 DIA Annual Seminar- June 20th & 21st, Best Western Plus Hacienda Hotel Old Town, San Diego DITA 3 - March 11-15, 2019, Crown Plaza, Ventura DITA 2 - October 22-26, 2018, Best Western Plus Island Palms, San Diego 2018 DIA Annual Seminar - "Par for the Course" August 2nd & 3rd, Temecula Creek Inn, Temecula DITA 1 - June 11-15, 2018, US Marshals Training Center, Monterey Park DITA 4 - October 23-27, 2017, The Queen Mary, Long Beach, CA 2017 DIA Annual Seminar - "Media and the Investigator" June 15th & 16th, Riviera Resort, Palm Springs DITA 3 - April 24-28, 2017, Crown Plaza, Ventura 2016 DIA Fall Seminar- "Perspectives and Crime Scenes" November 9th & 10th, Best Western Dry Creek Inn, Healdsburg DITA 2 - August 22-26, 2016, Best Western Hacienda Inn, San Diego 2016 DIA Spring Seminar & 50th ANNIVERSARY C elebration - April 14th & 15th, "Can't Spell Investigator with One Eye" Catalina Canyon Resort & Spa,, Avalon, Catalina Island 2015 Fall Seminar- "Shedding Light on Law Enforcement" November 5th & 6th, Double Tree by Hilton, Anaheim DITA 1 - June 8-12, 2015, Alan Hancock College, Lompoc 2015 DIA Spring Seminar "Investigation Through the Magnifying Glass" April 30 & May 1, Santa Rosa 2014 DIA Fall Conference - September 11th and 12th, Bahia Resort Hotel, San Diego 2013 ?
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
