About
BIO
ASSOCIATIONS and HONORS
RESUME' and TRAINING
Carter Private Investigation and Protection Services, LLC was founded by Retired Major, Steve Carter.
Steve is a graduate of the FBI National Academy (class #246) and retired from the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office in 2020. He began in 1990 when he entered Basic Law Enforcement Training and joined the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office
Carter Private Investigation and Protection Services, LLC was founded by Retired Major, Steve Carter.
Steve is a graduate of the FBI National Academy (class #246) and retired from the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office in 2020. He began in 1990 when he entered Basic Law Enforcement Training and joined the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office when he was 21. He remained for the remaining 30 creditable years of service.
The vast majority of his work was while assigned to the Criminal Investigations Bureau. His deep understanding in putting together a solid case began while assigned to the Drug Enforcement Unit, where he worked undercover and conducted both short and long term investigations that included both state and federal conspiracy cases.
Steve climbed through the ranks over his tenure while being assigned the Patrol Commander, Criminal Investigations Bureau Commander, Major of Operations of the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office. Additionally, he commanded the Sheriff’s Office Protective Service Team while providing protection to numerous dignitaries and political leaders.
An active law enforcement instructor, he teaches Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) at Blue Ridge Community College and is a primary instructor and board member for the Western North Carolina Law Enforcement Leadership Academy (WNC LELA) at A-B Technical Community College.
RESUME' and TRAINING
ASSOCIATIONS and HONORS
RESUME' and TRAINING
STEVE CARTER
PO Box 477 | Hendersonville, NC 28793 828.674.5165
HENDERSON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Hendersonville, NC
Operations Major January 2016 – October 2020
- Senior executive staff member, mentor operations command staff and administrators
- Manage annual Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center’s budget of $23 million
- Lead and supervise 200
STEVE CARTER
PO Box 477 | Hendersonville, NC 28793 828.674.5165
HENDERSON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Hendersonville, NC
Operations Major January 2016 – October 2020
- Senior executive staff member, mentor operations command staff and administrators
- Manage annual Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center’s budget of $23 million
- Lead and supervise 200 sworn and civilian personnel staff
- Oversight of operations facility security and procedures, to include CCTV and access control systems
- Oversight of property and evidence custody and controls
- Audit of policies and procedures, standard operation guidelines, systems and processes of the office
- Responsible for the Sheriff’s Office protective service team since 2013. Serve as the team leader and operator. Supervise and provide personal protection, served as security driver, conducted route surveys, advance planning and preparations in over 200 special protection operations
- Facilitate weekly command staff meetings with members of the Sheriff’s command team
- Direct oversight of SWAT operations, canine team, courtroom security, criminal investigations, patrol, school resource officers, internal affairs and professional standards
- Conduct key internal affairs investigations and audit/oversight management on all others
- Trained area SWAT teams in protective service operations
- Facilitated critical incident response teams during large scale events
- Served as liaison between the Sheriff’s Office, County Managers Office and Emergency Management
- Recipient of Congressional Record honoring career service, from Congressman Meadows
Support Services Captain
December 2012 – January 2016
- A member of the Sheriff’s Command team, responsible for drafting and managing the Sheriff’s Office $17 million budget
- Responsible for initial investigation for new county alcohol permitting and special use permits
- Directed and supervised the courtroom security team, civil process, domestic violence, civilian staff, sex offender registry, handgun purchase and concealed weapon permits
- Supervised the Sheriff’s Office Protective Service Team as active member team leader
Criminal Investigations Bureau Commander
October 2008 – December 2012
- A member of the Sheriffs Command team, directly responsible for the supervision and oversight of all criminal investigations. This Included: special investigations, violent crimes, drug enforcement, sex crimes, Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit, and property crimes
- Obtained FBI clearance, and provided oversight to the Joint Terrorism Task Forces Henderson County task force officer assigned, having direct access to active FBI classified intelligence briefs
- Supervision and oversight of Henderson County DEA task force officer. Investigated multiple federal drug conspiracy investigations involving multiple states and drug trafficking organizations. Actively lead teams in OCDETF cases that involved homicides
- Supervised and actively assisted in investigations abroad that included white collar crimes, capital murder, kidnapping, fraud, embezzlement, rape and theft investigations
- Lead investigator in special criminal investigations directly assigned by the Sheriff
- Wrote and managed a COPS grant for new crime lab equipment and designed state of art crime lab and criminal investigations bureau in new (2011) Law Enforcement Center. This included access control systems, CCTV and multi interview and interrogation technically equipped rooms
- Conducted special assignment internal affairs investigations and other county department related investigations as directed by the Sheriff and County Manager
- Liaised with surrounding local law enforcement agencies to facilitate investigations abroad
- Testified numerous times in both state and federal court
Patrol Commander
August 2006 – October 2008
- As a member of the Sheriff’s Command Team, supervised four patrol teams, a traffic squad, the SWAT team, a utility squad consisting of multiple contract positions, school resource officers and grant positions
- Wrote and managed NC Governors Highway Safety Program grants resulting in acquiring both equipment and staffing positions
Drug Enforcement
December 1994 – August 2006
LIEUTENANT (Drug Unit Commander)
June 2004 – August 2006
SERGEANT - Drug Enforcement
August 1999 – June 2004
CORPORAL - Drug Enforcement
July 1997 – August 1999
DRUG AGENT (Detective)
December 1994 – July 1997
- As the Drug Enforcement Unit Commander, responsible for all the drug enforcement for Henderson County. The unit was proactively involved in clandestine operations, OCDETF federal investigations, multiple federal T-III cases, undercover covert operations, asset forfeiture involving, local, state and federal investigations while working jointly with the US Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
- Supervised and oversight of DEA Task Force Officer special assignment agent
- Investigated gangs, gang related crimes including violent, sex and drug offenses associated with gangs
- Managed the financial accounts of the Asset Forfeiture program, involving three separate source accounts, one state and two federal and conducted annual audits of each account
- Oversight of daily operational assignments and status of drug enforcement investigations
- Served as the Marijuana Eradication Coordinator for Henderson County, organized aerial surveillance with the North Carolina National Guard, North Carolina Highway Patrol and the Civil Air Patrol, and Organized ground recovery teams
- Investigated pharmaceutical, prescription fraud and doctor shopping diversion cases
- Reviewed all investigative reports and mentored investigating agents
- Managed confidential informants, confidential sources of information and financial disbursements
- Personally, worked undercover drug investigations in both short- and long-term drug conspiracy cases
- Conducted hundreds of hours of covert surveillance
- Served as an active SWAT Team member operator
- Recipient of the annual Sheriff’s Office ‘Officer of the Year’ Award (1999)
- Two-time recipient of the ‘Special Award of Honor’ - International Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association (2000 & 2001)
Patrol Officer
October 1993 - December 1994
- As a patrol officer I was assigned a specific beat to patrol and answer calls for service
- Active SWAT Team member operator specializing in hostile fugitive apprehension
- Recipient of the Sheriff’s Office ‘Officer of the Month’ award (1994)
- Recipient of the Sheriff’s Office ‘Officer of the Quarter’ award (1994)
Detention Officer
April 1993 – October 1993
911 Dispatcher
October 1992 – April 1993
Full-Time Reserve Deputy Sheriff February 1992 – October 1992
BLUE RIDGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Flat Rock, NC
Adjunct Instructor 2003 - Present
- General instructor for (BLET) Basic Law Enforcement Training
- Specialized physical fitness instructor for Basic Law Enforcement Training and for (DOCC) Department of Corrections Certification cadet training.
AB TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Asheville, NC
Adjunct Instructor 2005 – Present
- General Basic Law Enforcement Training Instructor
Primary Instructor and Board Member 2013 – 2022
- Lead instructor for the Western North Carolina Law Enforcement Leadership Academy (WNC LELA) specializing in personality style DISC Assessments, Emotional Survival and Focus on Leadership.
CONGRESSMAN MARK MEADOWS NC-11
NC 11th Congressional District
District Law Enforcement Security Liaison 2013 - 2020
- Supervised 12-man protective service operation team
- Remained in an active security role in over 200 specialized operations with multiple dignitaries
- Worked as a security driver, detail leader, shift leader and agent in charge on hundreds of assignments
- Prepared advance work for multiple visiting sites to include travel route surveys
- As chief of security I was responsible for and organized political events, including Faith and Freedom Rallies and Town Hall events for dignitaries, spouses, staff and guests
TRAINING
International Security Management Institute (ISMI)
Malvern, UK 2018 - 2019
- Certified Security Management Professional (CSMP)
Level 6 Accredited International Diploma - Industry Qualification (IQ)
American Crime Prevention Institute (ACPI) 2018
- Certified Law Enforcement Security Assessment Specialist
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC)
Glynco Ga. 2014
- Protective Service Operations Training
FBI National Academy - Class #246 Quantico Va. 2011
University of Louisville –
Southern Police Institute
Louisville Ky. 2006 - 2007
- Executive Leadership Certificate Program
US Drug Enforcement Administration 2004
- Narcotics Supervisor Leadership Program
*Plus 5,000 hours of other specialized law enforcement training
ASSOCIATIONS and HONORS
ASSOCIATIONS and HONORS
ASSOCIATIONS and HONORS
ACTIVE ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIPS
- International Security Management Professionals (ISMP) Membership #O1312074 | 2019 to present
- American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS) Member # 18741989 | 2018 to present
- International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Member # 2065176 | 2016 to present
- FBI National Academy Associates Mem
ACTIVE ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIPS
- International Security Management Professionals (ISMP) Membership #O1312074 | 2019 to present
- American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS) Member # 18741989 | 2018 to present
- International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Member # 2065176 | 2016 to present
- FBI National Academy Associates Member # 41542 | 2011 to present
HONORS
2020 Recipient of Congressional Record (Congressman Mark Meadows NC-11)
2001 Special Award of Honor (International Narcotic Enforcement Officer Association)
2000 Special Award of Honor (International Narcotic Enforcement Officer Association)
1999 Officer of the Year award
(Sheriff George Erwin)
1994 Patrol Officer of the Month
(Sheriff Albert Jackson)
1994 Patrol Officer of the Quarter
(Sheriff Albert Jackson)
INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES
Asset Investigation and Searches
We have experience finding critical information that can make or break cases. The mission, as your certified private investigator, is to get to the most important facts ASAP, especially when an enforceable judgement is on the line.
We recommend asset searches for the following situations before they unfold:
- Collection of debt
- Probate Matters
- Child Support
- Divorce / Pre-Marriage
- Personal Injury
Getting to know hidden valuables is a key to winning big in a court of law. Gains you receive in the end are highly dependent on what has been revealed during the lawsuit. We perform database searches that unveil the real estate, physical, even digital or intellectual properties that you may be entitled to.
We can easily uncover records of assets for big-ticket purchases across many categories including cars, boats, yachts, aircrafts, homes, businesses and land, etc. owned by the individual or business.
Business ownership records are critical to understanding the truth behind a large business or corporation. You can learn the details of who owns the business.
Background Investigations
Background checks consist of a State-wide and national criminal/civil check. Why would you want to obtain a background check on someone? To find out who your future in-laws really are, check out your babysitter, know who your kids are hanging out with, hiring a new employee, renting property to a new tenant and much, much more…
- Corporate Employee Checks
- Criminal/Civil
- New Boyfriend/Girlfriend
- New In-laws
- Business Transaction
- Due Diligence
If you are looking for information for any reason on an individual a background check may be the answer for you.
A national background check can mean the difference between hiring an honest person and a criminal. Having all the information you need is important, whether you have questions about your future spouse, a friend, a potential employee, or other important person in your life. You have every right to know who is working for you and who is spending time with your family. Contact us today to have a national criminal background check performed.
Do not hire anyone, get married, or leave your children with a babysitter without first having a criminal background check performed. You need to have all the information about a person before you can trust them with anything important, whether it is your business or your family. Make sure you have all the information you need to make the very best decision and for peaceful mind.
Child Custody
A child custody investigation examines the child’s well-being and treatment in an objective manner. A private investigator may assess the treatment of a child by the parents in question and present this information to the court with a report.
During a child custody investigation, the investigator may conduct surveillance to get a better idea of how the parent treats his or her child when he or she does not know about any monitoring going on. Your private investigator may document any instances of abuse or neglect by taking pictures or making audio or visual recordings of the parent interacting with the child. Some of the elements that a private investigator may try to include during surveillance include reckless driving, criminal activity, gambling, drug abuse or other activities that may have a negative impact on the children. Additionally, the investigator may look for any signs that the parent is not providing a safe and hygienic living space, food or necessities.
During a child custody investigation, it is important for the parent hiring the private investigator to understand the different types of child custody. Legal custody refers to the right to make legal decisions on behalf of the child. Physical custody refers to the parent with whom the child will live. Either type of custody may be sole or joint custody. Sole custody means that one parent has the primary role in the child’s life. Joint custody means that the parents share the responsibility of the type of custody that is at stake.
Civil Investigations
A civil investigation typically begins with analysis. A private investigator will meet with the person initiating the investigation in order to discuss the goals and budget of the investigation. The investigator will then conduct the investigation utilizing a variety of investigative techniques to gather relevant evidence. Depending on the individual investigation, they may use survveillance, background checks, forensic investigation, asset searches, witness examination, and other methods. The investigator will then discuss their findings with the client and, if needed, create an official report or can be available to act as an expert witness, if desired.
Common types of civil investigation include, but are not limited to:
Personal injury investigations: These investigations look into how an injury occurred in order to determine potential compensation.
Workers' compensation investigations: The goal of workers' comp investigations are to uncover and prevent insurance fraud.
Missing person investigations: Investigators conduct a missing person investigation to uncover information about people who are missing.
Child custody and abuse investigations: This type of investigation reveals the potential negligence and mistreatment of children.
Marital investigations: Investigations into marital disputes can uncover anything from domestic abuse to a cheating spouse.
- Computer and cell phone activity (emails, texts, GPS, etc.)
- Statements from friends, family, and colleagues
- Business and public records
- Physical evidence
- Financial documents (checks, bank statements, etc.)
Corporate Investigation/ Internal Affairs
A professional investigator’s job is to determine exactly what’s going on from the information you provide, gather further evidence of wrongdoing, and deliver the details you need for a lawsuit, firing, or other move. It is a private investigative expert’s job to do the dirty work so that you can focus on the daily tasks at hand – because even though something inappropriate or illegal may be occurring within your business, there are still the day-to-day operations to maintain and manage.
With threats from inside and out, every company will inevitably be victimized by some type of fraud or deceit. How your organization responds will have a great impact on mitigating the potential damages and reducing future risks for you, your company, your employee, and your customers.
Corporate investigations often take the following forms:
Employee Misconduct
The behaviors that fall under the definition of employee misconduct vary and overlap, but in general the bad behavior that a company will retain a private surveillance expert to investigate include harassment (sexual, physical, verbal, threats, or intimidation), bullying, payroll abuse, substance abuse, and insubordination. All of these behaviors require careful monitoring, detailing, and utter impartiality, but also tact, discretion, and subtlety, all of which you will receive from an experienced employee misconduct investigator.
Business must go on even in the midst or wake of employee misconduct – outsourcing your corporate investigation can make that possible.
Employee Time Theft
Computers and smartphones are responsible for distracting employees quite thoroughly at work. An employee can be sitting at his or her desk, seemingly working, when what they’re really doing is surfing the web, checking social media, or writing emails. The biggest employee time theft threat, however, occurs among employees working outside of the office. Telecommuting employees are difficult to monitor and employees who travel as part of their work or those who are in and out of the office for business have plenty of unsupervised time. It’s difficult to prove employee time theft – which can include everything from sleeping while on the job to working another gig while out of the office – especially when you have a business to run, but when you suspect that the system is being abused, a corporate investigation expert is the person who can find out what’s really going on.
FMLA Abuse
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows employees to take unpaid but job-protected leave, with their health insurance coverage still in place, in order to deal with family or medical issues. FMLA has made it possible for people with serious illnesses and even expectant mothers to keep their jobs while they struggle with their sickness and recovery or that of a loved one. Unfortunately, some employees are committing FMLA abuse, simply taking a break from the job or taking on another job while claiming to need legitimate medical leave. Retaining a private investigator to document FMLA abuse is critical because the cost to employers when this privilege is abused can be astronomical.
Asset Misuse
Employee asset misuse can take several different forms, including: use of company funds for personal expenses; using the company car for personal needs or recreation; accepting gratuities from clients in exchange for special treatment or services; and using the company’s premises and equipment to conduct competing business transactions. While total trust is necessary in order for every employee to do the jobs they were hired to do and for a business to thrive, asset misuse can happen with direct employees or contractors, even those you trust the most. Unfortunately, suspecting asset misuse requires addressing, and quickly. A private investigator is able to monitor activity and gather the evidence needed to confirm this level of employee misconduct.
Non-Competition Enforcement
Non-compete agreements are increasingly common across all industries, nevertheless some employees work to build their own competing enterprise while employed with your company and/or make a deal to move to a competing company and take your clients or intellectual property. Non-compete agreements are enforceable and valid – if you have evidence of the violation. The best move a company can make is to seek out a private investigative agency with the experience and credentials that demonstrate their ability to gather evidence of this activity before the employee who is committing the act gets wind of the investigation and goes underground with their endeavor. Your trade secrets, proprietary information, and so much more are at risk – action is paramount.
Workplace Incident Investigations
Anytime an “accident” or “near miss” incident occurs at your workplace – whether injury, threat, harassment, intimidation, or otherwise – it’s critical to get to the root cause of the situation, not only for your own peace of mind but in order to fulfill your requirements under OSHA. An unbiased workplace incident investigation conducted by an outside party should take place as soon as possible after the incident in question so that the details gathered are as clear and accurate as possible. It is the job of a corporate investigator to uncover inconsistencies and truths as well as compile necessary documentation so you can defend your workplace or pursue legal action.
Fraud and Internal Investigations
Business fraud, corruption, and wrongdoing are not uncommon, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t completely damaging to an enterprise. Fraud and Internal Investigation cases are established to look into business asset abuse or misuse, business address misappropriation, purchase order fraud, procurement fraud, bribery, money laundering, check fraud, shell companies, computer fraud, internet fraud, contract fraud, credit card fraud, and merchant account fraud. The most important element of a fraud and internal investigation is acting quickly to assign the case to an impartial third party, in particular a surveillance expert who is able to see the situation for what it really is and investigate all people involved, even those you might least suspect, in order to pinpoint the origin of the crimes.
Within these areas we may incorporate specialized investigations such as:
- Undercover Investigations: Professional surveillance experts and undercover investigations go hand in hand. Whether the situation being investigated involves employee misconduct, theft, or fraud, stealth is one of the best ways to uncover evidence. Using high-tech surveillance equipment or complex undercover sting operations, both of which are carefully designed to be admissible in court, each case is customized and planned down to the littlest detail so that your corporate investigation needs are met and your company is not in jeopardy.
Criminal Investigations
Criminal investigations are every bit as involved and require as much expertise as law enforcement investigations. With our 30 year background in law enforcement we are experienced and trained in interview techniques, evidence gathering and review, as well as criminal processes.
We can help you fill in the blanks by conducting good old-fashioned detective work. This can include revisiting the scene for additional leads, re-interviewing existing witnesses, conducting neighborhood canvasses, and pursuing additional witnesses for information.
Criminal investigation services may include:
- Defendant Interview
- Initial review of the case details
- Obtaining copies of police reports
- Review of documents and evidence
- Review of prior witness statements
- Witness interviews and re-interviews
- Discovering new witnesses/evidence
- Courtroom testimony when necessary
- Witness background checks
Due Diligence
Due diligence is the comprehensive analysis of either a person or a business to establish their credibility during a legal transaction.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Investigations
EEO investigation in a formal complaint of discrimination. An allegation of discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including sexual harassment and sexual orientation), age, physical or mental handicap or reprisal. Investigations often include a variety of fact-finding methods such as interviews, a fact-finding conference, requests for information, interrogatories, and/or affidavits.
Law Enforcement Internal Affair Investigations
Internal affairs investigations are responsible for ensuring the internal discipline, security and integrity of the law enforcement agency. A private investigator can provide an impartial and effective means for the receipt and redress of complaints against the law enforcement agency and/or its personnel through a system which provides an impartial investigation and review conducted in a timely, fair, and objective manner.
Missing Persons
If you are worried about someone's whereabouts and wish to locate someone who is not easy to find, a qualified private investigator will be able to use advanced techniques to help find the person you are looking for. Long lost loved ones or family members who have voluntarily disappeared or run away.
Other circumstances may include:
- Fugitives you need to find.
- Debtors for your money.
- Missing persons who have been gone a long time and are part of a cold case.
- Runaways and minors who have been kidnapped.
SECURITY - PROTECTION
Dignitary Protection/ Private Protective Service
Personal protection is something you never want to need, but having it at the right time can mean the difference between life and death. You can’t trust just anyone at that moment, which is why choosing protection services may be the best decision you ever make. When your safety is threatened, you can’t be too careful, and seeking our help will be well worth the call.
Traveling with personal protection gives you a sense of security that cannot be rivaled. If you’re carrying valuables, cash, or other goods between locations, having an additional eye on your prize will allow you to ensure the safety of you and your package. Perhaps you’ll be travelling, and want to ensure the safety of your family in your absence. There is no better feeling than knowing that your home base is protected while you’re away.
Security Assessments
Security Assessments are fundamental tools for identifying risks and vulnerabilities, determining needed protection and making recommendations for improvement.
We will cover comprehensive security assessment strategies and techniques that can be implemented for virtually all types of business, government, institutional and residential facilities.
All security assessments will be performed by a certified security assessment specialist from the American Crime Prevention Institute (ACPI). All assessments will consider Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) recommendations and who are thoroughly CPTED trained.
FAQ
How much will the investigation cost?
We tell clients it is based on the hours worked, miles driven and the way the case unfolds as to what they can expect to spend. For the most part, it is $90/hour, plus mileage (current federal mileage rate) and all investigative expenses.
DOMESTIC AFFAIR INVESTIGATIONS
A variety of factors go into play when determining the cost associated with Infidelity Investigations. These investigations can cost, on average, between $750 - $2500 on average. Once a plan is in place, a budget can be established. Investigation services are payable in advance (retainer) of the work being conducted. Payments can be made by Cash, Check, Money Order, Official Check, Apple Pay and PayPal (a 3% fee will be assessed on all credit card/Pay Pal payments).
If you catch my spouse/significant other with someone, will you call me right away and let me know?
No. This would jeopardize safety and the case. Most clients want to be helpful, the best way they can do this is by providing accurate and timely information and NOT sharing ANY information with ANYONE other than your attorney, as needed.
How long will it take to complete the investigation?
Unfortunately, each case is very different from every other with different variables which sometimes takes extra efforts and technology. If I could tell you how long it will take, I could give you a precise cost up front. The best I can do is provide a basic estimate.
“I don’t want to hire an investigator, I just want to know who the license tag comes back to.”
Our firm will not provide a tag number, address or phone number unless you are a client and we are conducting an investigation on your behalf.
What would you do if you see criminal activity going on while you are investigating my case?
Notify local law enforcement immediately.
How quickly can you start an Investigation?
24-hr notice is usually plenty of time. It’s often possible to start a case immediately. Weekends are the busiest times and may require additional advance notice. We first need to gather all the facts and authorization and agreement forms before we can initialize the investigation.
Will my identity and case be treated confidential?
ABSOLUTELY! We will not disclose the names of our clients and the work that was done for the client without the expressed written consent of the client.