Bazzel Baz, founder of the Association for the Recovery of Children
Bazzel Baz is a Citadel Graduate, former U.S. Marine Counter-Terrorism Officer, CIA Intelligence Special Operations Group Officer, Film and Television Writer/Producer and founder of the Association for the Recovery of Children (ARC) humbly acknowledging a 100% successful rescue rate.
Baz is known as “the Patron Saint for Missing Kids.” He is a former CIA Intelligence Special Operations Group Paramilitary Case Officer, recipient of the Intelligence Commendation Medal, former counter-terrorism officer in the United States Marine Corps and a graduate of The Citadel. He currently contracts as a “life guarantor” for people entering high threat environments.
In 1993 Baz founded the Association for the Recovery of Children (ARC), an organization comprised of former and active intelligence, military, and law enforcement personnel dedicated to the recovery of missing and exploited American children in foreign and domestic locations. In 2019, on invitation of the White House and DOJ, Baz introduced ARC’s legislative initiative involving severe penalties for those who sexually exploit any child under the age of 18 in the U.S.
Baz is well known globally for his expertise and extraordinary skillset. Author of "Terrorism Survival Handbook" and several other books, he has been called on by CNN, CNBC and MSNBC as an advisor and spokesperson on the war on Terrorism and Homeland Security. He is also a film and television writer, producer, and actor. Bazzel Baz co-starred as the commander of Raymond Reddington’s paramilitary group on NBC’s "The BLACKLIST" for four seasons.
Alex "Buggs" Marentes
Alex “Buggs” Marentes was born in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico and resides in resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He came to the U.S. at 10 years of age. Alex served in the United States Marines for eight years and three years in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. He joined the Albuquerque Police Department in 1985 and retired after 30 years of service. While serving as police officer in Albuquerque, he served in different capacities including gang prevention programs. He developed an expertise in Mexican cartel matters, presenting updates on Mexican cartels to law enforcement.
Alex is the founder and owner of the Borderland Beat Project that gathers information about the Mexican Drug Cartel War and shares the information in the popular worldwide blog, www.borderlandbeat.com. He was active as a contributor from 2008 until 2013 using the pseudonym name of “Buggs” for security reasons. The Borderland Beat Project is a collaboration of people from different backgrounds, primarily located in Mexico, that gather information related to the Mexican drug cartels and presents the information in English. It is a trusted and well-respected source of information for media outlets, publications, and Mexican drug cartels experts including the New York Times, Washington Post, and the Houston Chronicle.
Alex is the author of a book, Borderland Beat, that is derived from the result of reporting in the Borderland Beat Blog and from personal experience and research.
Bureau of ATF Senior Special Agent John L. Carr
SA Carr has worked undercover targeting the VAGOS OMG, SONS of SILENCE OMG and most recently the MONGOLS OMG. From May 2005 to October 2008, SA Carr became a “patched” member of the MONGOLS OMG LAS VEGAS, NV CHAPTER during OPERATION BLACK RAIN. SA Carr dealt with members of the MONGOLS OMG in California, Nevada, Oregon, Indiana and Colorado. As a result of a RICO investigation of the MONGOLS OMG, a total of 111 members and 143 search warrants were arrested and executed throughout the US.
ROBERT ALMONTE
Robert Almonte was appointed by President Barack Obama as the United States Marshal for the Western District of Texas in 2010 where he served for six years until 2016. Under his leadership, the Western District of Texas was one of the top Districts in the United States Marshals Service in arrests of dangerous fugitives. He also implemented the first U.S. Marshals Citizens Academy in the history of the U.S. Marshals Service.
He had previously retired from the El Paso, Texas Police Department after 25 years of service. He spent most of his career in narcotics investigations and retired as a Deputy Chief in 2003. As the Narcotics Commander with the EPPD, he championed innovative programs like the Hotel/Motel Narcotics Interdiction Unit and the West Texas High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Stash House Task Force, both of which yielded successful apprehensions through community-policing initiatives.
The West Texas HIDTA Stash House Task Force earned the prestigious Task Force 2000 White House Office of the National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) award for “Outstanding HIDTA Interdiction Unit”.
Robert Almonte has received numerous awards, including the prestigious 2018 Frederic Milton Thrasher Award for Superior Accomplishments in Gang Investigations, the 1999 White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) award for National “Outstanding HIDTA Task Force Commander”, a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition in 2003 as well as an Award Citation from the United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico regarding his testimony on two major drug cases.
Throughout his career, he has collaborated with his colleagues across the nation on narcotics issues, holding leadership positions such as the Executive director of the Texas Narcotic Officers’ Association, where he once served three terms as President for the association and as Vice-President for the National Narcotic Officers’ Association Coalition. He is the author of two published books: The Evolution of Narcotics Investigations and Managing Covert Operations, as well as the creator and producer for the law enforcement training video: Patron Saints of the Mexican Drug Underworld. He has traveled extensively throughout the United States training law enforcement officers on narcotics investigations. Robert Almonte has been qualified as an expert witness in federal and state court and has testified regarding Santa Muerte and other “patron saints” related to criminal activities.
Cost: $125 per attendee
Conference: May 2-4, 2022
Early Sign-In: May 1, 2022
Use code 2257 when making reservations for our special room rate.
54 Jemez Dam Rd
Santa Ana Pueblo
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