Darek Pleasants

P2 Consulting Services
Mobile: 703-229-2968
Office: 615-878-3608
Introduction

Darek Pleasants is a retired ATF Special Agent with over thirty years of law enforcement, government, and military special operations experience. Darek is a globally recognized subject matter expert and advisor. His professional expertise spans critical areas within law enforcement procedure, best practices, complex investigations, crime gun intelligence, ballistics identification technology, and leadership during crises.

Nationally recognized as a subject matter expert and leader of P2’s Expert Witness and Advising Consultancy, Darek leverages three decades of global service. As a professional advisor he provides candid, ethical, and confidential insights with the necessary information his clients need to ensure equitable, effective, and balanced application of justice. Darek’s expertise and advice contribute significantly to informed decision-making in legal, law enforcement and other high risk, sensitive and volatile environments.

Darek consults worldwide on technology-driven evidence-based procedures in uncertain, high-impact and culturally sensitive environments. His insights and expert advice on ballistics identification technology and its application in law enforcement has enhanced capabilities and aided in solving the most complex cases.

As an ethically-centered and experienced executive, Darek is engaged regularly by senior leaders in law enforcement, public service, and government. He provides unique perspectives to leadership during crises and emerging challenges, while maintaining an unwavering dedication to the importance of the “Rule of Law.”


Areas of Expertise
  • Deadly/Excessive Force
  • Explosions
  • Fire
  • Firearms & Ballistics
  • Gangs
  • Informants
  • Police Procedures
  • Private Investigators
  • RICO/Racketeering
  • Weapons

Expert Background
Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:
A: Master of Strategic Studies -- United States Army War College
Bachelor's Degree -- Columbia College

Tennessee Licensed Private Investigator #9201

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Basic | Intermediate | Advanced | Leadership | Supervisory | Management
Firearms | Arson | Explosives | Undercover Operations| Tactics | Advanced Explosives Post Blast Investigations | Characteristics of Armed Gunmen

Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
Basic | Advanced Criminal Investigations | Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor

Federal Bureau of Investigation
Advanced Explosives Post Blast Investigations | High Threat Overseas Operations

Drug Enforcement Administration
Asset Forfeiture

Department of Homeland Security
Weapons of Mass Destruction Scene Management | Weapons of Mass Destruction Hazardous Material Evidence Collection

United States Department of Justice
Complex Investigations | Firearms Interdiction Technical Assistance

Bureau of Justice Assistance
Counter Terrorism Intelligence Officer

Office of National Drug Control Policy – High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area
Informant Management | Operations & Fiduciary Responsibility

Office of the Director for National Intelligence
Instructor National Human Intelligence Collaboration

Federal Office of Personnel Management
Federal Career Senior Executive Service

Anti-Defamation League
Advanced Training School Extremist and Terrorist Threats

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Prevention and Response to Suicide Bombing Incidents | Incident Response to Terrorist Bombings

Southeastern Public Safety Institute
Criminal Street Gangs | Conspiracy Investigations

John E. Reid and Associates
Street Crime Investigations | The Reid Technique of Interviewing and Interrogation

Defense Security Cooperation University
Senior Executive Advisor Seminar

Joint Special Operations University
Combined / Joint Special Operations Component Commanders Course

Defense Acquisitions University
Program Leadership | Integrated Risk Management

University of Texas Health Science Center
Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic

United States Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School
Qualified – Special Forces Non-Commissioned Officer | Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat


Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
A: Member -- Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Retained Expert -- National Policing Institute

Retained Expert -- Institute for Intergovernmental Research

Fellow -- Arthur D. Simons Center for Ethical Leadership and Interagency Cooperation

Member -- ATF Association

Life Member -- United States Army War College Foundation

Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
A: U.S. Embassy Baghdad, Iraq, U.S. Department of State
Law Enforcement Tactics, Techniques and Procedures | Mentor | Instructor | Leadership

Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Firearms and Tactics Instructor | Lecturer on leadership in crises for law enforcement.

National Human Intelligence Collaboration Course, Office of the Director for National Intelligence
Instructor on Human Intelligence and Confidential Source Management and Collaboration.

International Law Enforcement Academy, U.S. Department of State
Instructor and mentor | Weapons Proliferation | Firearms Trafficking Investigations | Leadership

Multiple Multi-Media Press Engagements
Firearms, Arson and Explosives Investigations | Crime Gun Intelligence | Crisis Communications.

Bureau of Justice Assistance
Subject Matter Expert and Presenter for Regional Crime Gun Intelligence Center Training

Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
A: No.
Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
A: Firearms
Premise Liability
Police Procedure and Policy
Police Misconduct
Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
A: Spring 2024
Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
A: Rule 26
Expert Opinion
Consulting
Investigations
Litigation Support
Deposition and Review
Support for Counsel
Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
A: Initial consultation is at no charge. Retainer required for work to begin.
Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
A: $200
Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
A: Trial Testimony / Court Appearance are billed at a flat daily rate of $2000.
Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
A: Travel is $100 per hour door to door, capped at $500.00 per day, billed separately from the retainer.

Flights over 2.5 hours-Business or First Class.
Premium Accommodations-Hotel or Airbnb- billed separately from the retainer.


References

Brian Moran
Former United States Attorney for Western District of Washington
Partner at Orrick Herrington and Sutcliffe
401 Union Street, Suite 3300
Seattle, WA
206-839-4419
Brian.moran@orrick.com

Kenji Price
Former United States Attorney for District of Hawaii
Managing Counsel at Epic Games
620 Crossroads Blvd.,
Cary, NC
919-854-0070

Billy Williams
Former United States Attorney for District of Oregon
Partner at Best, Best and Krieger
360 SW Bond St. Suite 400
Bend, Oregon
541-382-3011
Billy.williams@bbklaw.com



Video
Pleasants DG Media Interview NBC interview with Darek Pleasants regarding his expertise in firearms and criminal investigations