Investigations · Digital Evidence · Intelligence · Fraud

DAKOTA DENNISON

Former Law Enforcement Detective · U.S. Marine Veteran · Cybersecurity Student

More than a decade of law-enforcement and investigative experience spanning felony investigations, narcotics enforcement, financial and property crimes, digital evidence, electronic surveillance, and multi-agency casework. Now expanding that investigative foundation through formal study in cybersecurity, networking, and technology-focused investigations.

Felony InvestigationsViolent · Financial · Property
Digital EvidenceCollection · Analysis · Chain of Custody
SurveillanceElectronic · Physical · Wiretap Casework
Case DevelopmentInterviews · Affidavits · Prosecution
01 · Profile

Investigative Background

Investigator First. Technology Forward.

My professional foundation is investigations: developing cases, interviewing witnesses and suspects, evaluating evidence, preparing affidavits and warrants, coordinating with partner agencies, and documenting matters for prosecution and court proceedings. Technology has increasingly been part of that work through digital evidence, electronic data, surveillance systems, case-management platforms, and privacy requirements.


I am now building additional technical depth through cybersecurity and networking coursework while pursuing opportunities where mature investigative judgment and growing technical capability can work together.

01
InvestigationsFelony, narcotics, financial, property, fraud-related, and sensitive-person investigations.
02
Evidence & DocumentationScene processing, digital evidence, reports, affidavits, warrants, and chain of custody.
03
Intelligence & SurveillanceElectronic surveillance, long-term investigations, OSINT, wiretap-related casework, and analysis.
04
Multi-Agency OperationsCoordination with local, state, federal, regulatory, and task-force partners.
02 · Experience

Selected Investigative Experience

Jun 2023
May 2026
Detective
Kanawha County Sheriff's Office · Criminal Investigative Section
Investigated felony cases ranging from violent crimes to financial and property offenses. Conducted scene processing, suspect and witness interviews, affidavit and warrant preparation, and case development for prosecution. Worked extensively with digital evidence, electronic data, and technology-driven investigative matters.
Felony InvestigationsDigital EvidenceInterviewsAffidavits & WarrantsCase Preparation
Jan 2023
Jun 2023
Investigator
West Virginia Attorney General's Office
Investigated allegations involving Medicaid fraud, criminal abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation involving residents of healthcare and assisted-living facilities. Conducted interviews, coordinated with law-enforcement and regulatory agencies, and prepared investigative reports and referrals for legal action.
Fraud-Related InvestigationsHIPAAFinancial ExploitationRegulatory Coordination
Jul 2015
Dec 2022
Police Officer / Narcotics Detective
South Charleston Police Department
Served as a patrol officer and later narcotics detective assigned to long-term investigations targeting drug-distribution and trafficking networks. Conducted surveillance, executed search warrants, worked with federal and state partners including HIDTA, and prepared investigative reports, affidavits, and wiretap-related documentation for court proceedings.
Narcotics InvestigationsSurveillanceHIDTAWiretap CaseworkFederal Proceedings
May 2017
Dec 2020
Automated Logistical Specialist
U.S. Army National Guard · 92A
Managed and tracked military equipment and supplies using SAMS and GCSS-Army systems during drills, field training, and multi-branch exercises. Coordinated logistics and maintenance scheduling in joint operations.
SystemsDocumentationLogisticsJoint Operations
May 2010
May 2014
Infantry / 60mm Mortarman
United States Marine Corps · MOS 0341
Served within a weapons platoon specializing in indirect-fire support, target acquisition, and rapid system deployment. Deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and operated in high-threat environments requiring precision, discipline, and mission focus.
USMC VeteranAfghanistanTarget AcquisitionHigh-Pressure Operations
03 · Recognition

Professional Recognition

DOJ

Award for Excellence in Pursuit of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office · Southern District of West Virginia · May 2023

Annual recognition for exemplary service by law-enforcement officers who provided invaluable assistance to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

04 · Technology

Digital & Technical Development

Applied Investigative Technology

Technology has been part of my investigative work for years. My experience includes digital evidence, electronic data review, surveillance platforms, case-management systems, privacy-sensitive information, and maintaining evidentiary integrity in technology-driven cases.

Digital Evidence · Collection, handling, analysis, chain of custody
Electronic Surveillance · Technology-supported investigative operations
Case Systems · Investigative documentation and case-management workflows
Legal / Privacy · HIPAA, evidentiary standards, sensitive-data handling

Cybersecurity Development

Current formal study is focused on building technical fluency in networking, databases, computer architecture, cybersecurity fundamentals, and digital-investigation concepts. The goal is not to replace an investigative background, but to extend it into modern technical environments.

Networking · Network Engineering coursework
Databases · SQL and relational-database fundamentals
Systems · Computer architecture and troubleshooting
Security · Developing security-operations and cyber-investigation knowledge
05 · Education

Education & Development

Currently Enrolled

BridgeValley Community & Technical College

A.A.S. Cyber Security & Network Technology — In Progress

Coursework includes networking, databases, computer architecture, and cybersecurity fundamentals.

Completed

Full Sail University

Certificate in Information Technology

Foundational information-technology coursework supporting continued development in cybersecurity and technical investigations.

06 · Contact

Professional Contact

Open to Investigative & Technology-Focused Opportunities

Interested in investigator, fraud-investigation, investigative-analysis, cyber-investigation, digital-forensics, threat-intelligence, and related roles where investigative experience is an asset.

Location
West Virginia, USA