A Landmark Gathering for Florida's Investigative Community: Recapping the 2026 FAPI Annual Litigation and Investigators Conference

The Florida Association of Private Investigators wrapped up another outstanding annual conference this month, and by every measure, the 2026 Annual Litigation and Investigators Conference was a resounding success. Held March 9 through 11 at the Hilton Orlando/Altamonte Springs in Altamonte Springs, Florida, the three-day event brought together private investigators, attorneys, paralegals, law enforcement professionals, and industry partners from across the state and the country for an extraordinary program of education, professional development, and networking. Among those in attendance was the team from Locaters International, one of Central Florida's longest-established licensed private investigation agencies, who were proud not only to participate as attendees but to play a role in helping plan and shape what proved to be one of the most well-organized and content-rich conferences in FAPI's history. For Locaters International, the conference represented everything the investigative profession stands for: continuous learning, professional collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

A heartfelt and well-deserved thank you goes to FAPI President Carrie Kerskie for her leadership and vision in guiding this organization forward, and to conference committee chair and founder Harvey Morse, whose dedication, institutional knowledge, and tireless effort behind the scenes made this event the polished and professional experience it was. Thanks are also extended to the entire FAPI Executive Committee, whose commitment throughout the planning process ensured that every detail came together seamlessly. FAPI's continued success as the oldest private investigator association in Florida is a direct reflection of the people who give so much of their time to it.

Get Paid or Get Prosecuted: A Legal Guide for Private Investigators

Dan Eckhart, Attorney at Law and David Haas, Attorney, Haas Law LLC

The conference opened with a powerful joint presentation from two former federal prosecutors now practicing criminal defense. Dan Eckhart, a former Assistant United States Attorney in the Middle District of Florida with extensive experience in drug cases, fraud, money laundering, and financial crimes, and David Haas, founder of Haas Law PLLC and a former state and federal prosecutor with over 65 jury trials under his belt, delivered a session that was equal parts educational and eye-opening.

The pair walked attendees through the federal whistleblower programs, forfeiture laws, and payment-for-information mechanisms that private investigators and their clients may be able to leverage for financial reward. Equally important, they outlined in clear terms the conduct that investigators must avoid to stay clear of federal investigation and prosecution. This was a session that every working PI in Florida needed to hear.

Updates from the State of Florida Division of Licensing: Legislative and Licensing Insights

John Raymaker, Director of Florida's Division of Licensing

John Raymaker, an attorney and 16-year veteran of Florida's Division of Licensing, delivered a comprehensive and timely update on the regulatory landscape affecting private investigators in Florida. A 1992 graduate of Florida State University College of Law with deep experience in criminal law and regulatory enforcement, Raymaker addressed legislative changes, licensing requirements, and enforcement trends that directly impact how investigators operate in the state. For any PI operating in Florida, this session provided essential clarity on compliance and best practices going into 2026.

A Title Fraud Case Study of State v. Michelle Cherry

Michael R. Lennon, Assistant State Attorney, Economic Crimes Unit, Hillsborough County

Michael Lennon, Chief of the Economic Crimes Unit at the Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office and a magna cum laude graduate of Florida State University Law School, delivered one of the most compelling case study presentations of the conference. Walking attendees through the actual evidence in the State v. Michelle Cherry title theft prosecution, Lennon exposed just how alarmingly easy it is to forge deeds and commit title theft in Florida, and more importantly, what tools are available to detect, investigate, and prosecute it successfully. Investigators left this session with a clear picture of what evidence to capture and how to document it for a winning prosecution.

AI Use for Investigators: A Skeptic and an Enthusiast's Perspective

Greg Kipper, Executive Director, Paraben Corporation and Amber Schroader, CEO and Founder, Paraben Corporation

In one of the most thought-provoking sessions of the conference, Greg Kipper and Amber Schroader of Paraben Corporation tackled the question the entire investigative profession is grappling with: is artificial intelligence an indispensable ally or a potentially dangerous distraction? Kipper brought the skeptic's perspective with over 25 years of cybersecurity experience, while Schroader, a 30-year pioneer in digital forensics, brought the enthusiast's viewpoint. The session explored AI's potential alongside its very real limitations, biases, and ethical complications, giving attendees a balanced framework for thinking about where AI fits in their practice.

The Rise of IoT in Digital Investigations

Amber Schroader, CEO and Founder, Paraben Corporation

Amber Schroader returned on day two with a deep dive into the rapidly expanding world of Internet of Things devices and the treasure trove of digital evidence they contain. From smart speakers to fitness trackers to home security systems, IoT devices are quietly collecting data that is increasingly appearing as critical evidence in investigations. Schroader walked attendees through proper seizure and capture protocols for IoT evidence, the digital security risks these devices create, and the kind of information that can be recovered that most investigators have not yet considered examining.

Interviewing Witnesses

Hal Humphreys, Co-owner and Director of Instruction, PI Education, and Executive Editor, Pursuit Magazine

Hal Humphreys, a licensed private investigator, former certified fraud examiner, and nearly 30-year veteran of the investigative profession, delivered what many attendees described as one of the most practically useful sessions of the entire conference. Humphreys approached witness interviewing as a discipline built on preparation, not improvisation. He walked through the concept of the witness list as a living theory shaped by timing, access, and proximity, and explained how tone, timing, and the very first words an investigator speaks determine whether a witness opens up or shuts down entirely. The session made clear that the goal of any good interview is openness, not compliance, and that the real work begins long before the first question is asked.

The Georgia Prison Scam

Detective Andrew Rowe, Economic Crimes Unit, Sarasota County Sheriff's Office

Detective Andrew Rowe, a 22-year veteran of the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office and the 2025 IAFCI Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for both the Florida and International chapters, brought one of the most gripping true-crime presentations of the conference. When his unit uncovered a sophisticated fraud operation being run out of the Georgia prison system, they found that victims were not just in Florida but spread across the country. Rowe walked attendees through how the scheme was uncovered, the investigative steps taken, and what is currently being done to combat this growing threat. The session was a masterclass in multi-jurisdictional fraud investigation.

Investigating Employee Misconduct

Jeffrey Stein, President, ELPS Private Detective Agency and Executive Director, Intellenet

Jeffrey Stein, a licensed investigator with over 38 years of experience and more than 3,000 integrity and witness interviews to his credit, delivered a comprehensive roadmap for investigators looking to expand into the corporate misconduct space. The session covered the full spectrum of employee misconduct issues, including theft, fraud, workers compensation abuse, unemployment fraud, credit card misuse, and sabotage, and gave attendees practical tools for assessing company records, conducting covert surveillance, collaborating with forensic experts, and conducting effective fact-finding interviews. As Executive Director of Intellenet, an international network of over 600 investigators in more than 70 countries, Stein also shared insights on how investigators can build corporate misconduct work into a meaningful and sustainable revenue stream.

FAPI Banquet Dinner Keynote: Transformational Leadership and the Power of Public-Private Partnerships

Sheriff Rick Staly, Flagler County Sheriff's Office, PIRSAC Chair

The evening gala banquet was capped by an extraordinary keynote from Sheriff Rick Staly of Flagler County, who brought the room to its feet with a deeply personal and professionally inspiring address. A 50-year sworn law enforcement veteran, Sheriff Staly recounted his journey from a 19-year-old patrol deputy to being shot three times while saving a fellow officer's life, earning the Medal of Valor and the Florida Governor's Medal of Heroism, building a multi-million-dollar security company, and ultimately being elected Sheriff of Flagler County three consecutive times, including once running unopposed.

Sheriff Staly spoke powerfully about Transformational Leadership and how his department drove crime down over 50 percent in Flagler County through a guardianship policing model built on partnerships and relationships. His perspective on the irreplaceable role that private investigators and security professionals play in that ecosystem resonated deeply with everyone in the room.

How To Double Your PI Income and Client Base: 5 Systems That Generate $500 or More Daily

Jimmie Mesis, BAI, LPI, TSCM, Founder and Director, USA Bugsweeps, Inc.

Jimmie Mesis, widely known as the PI Marketing Guru and one of America's most recognized private investigators with over 45 years of experience and more than 15,000 investigators trained across the US, Canada, and the UK, closed out the conference with a full-day business building intensive that was packed with immediately actionable strategies. Divided into a morning and afternoon session, Jimmie's program covered five core systems for growing a PI business:

The Phone Conversion Formula gave attendees the consultation script and objection-handling techniques to convert more callers into paying clients without competing on price. The Premium Pricing Strategy addressed the psychology behind commanding higher rates and larger upfront retainers. The Database Gold Mine Method showed investigators how to transform a basic database search into a premium-priced analytical report. The Digital Domination System walked through SEO and AI-assisted strategies for driving high-value leads through a firm's website. And the Relationship Revenue Engine provided a proven framework for approaching law firms and insurance companies and building consistent referral pipelines through paralegals and legal support staff.

It was a fitting close to a conference that was as much about building thriving businesses as it was about sharpening investigative skills.

A Final Word

The 2026 FAPI Annual Litigation and Investigators Conference was a testament to how far Florida's investigative profession has come and how much further it is determined to go. From federal legal compliance to digital forensics, from witness interviewing to business development, the breadth and depth of programming reflected an association that takes professional excellence seriously.

Congratulations again to President Carrie Kerskie, conference committee chair and founder Harvey Morse, the full FAPI Executive Committee, every speaker who gave so generously of their expertise, every sponsor who made the event possible, and every attendee who traveled from near and far to be part of it.

If you missed this year's conference, mark your calendar now and plan to be in the room at the next one. You can learn more about FAPI membership, upcoming events, and professional development opportunities at www.myfapi.org.