Robert Rutt

Associate

Highly accomplished leader with over 28 years of investigative and senior managerial experience developing and executing investigations and operations attacking transnational crime. Proven track record of building collaborative teams and coordinating with governmental and private sector partners to achieve positive results. Recognized for superior performance as a change agent addressing the merger of the investigative programs of two federal law enforcement agencies. Experienced leader in managing and coordinating large scale responses to manage critical incidents.

Robert has served as the Special Agent in Charge of Houston Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations department.  His experience includes being the principal field executive (Senior Executive Service-SES) for personnel, assets and budget in a large investigative office of 350+ employees encompassing 54 counties in the Gulf Coast Region of Texas with offices in Houston, Beaumont, Galveston and Corpus Christi. He led, managed and coordinated criminal investigations targeting transnational crime such as intellectual property theft; transnational gangs; terrorist travel and finance; arms and technology proliferation; drug, human and weapons smuggling/trafficking; and child exploitation. In addition Robert led, managed and coordinated investigations and audits relating to employer hiring of illegal aliens which are subject to criminal and/or civil sanctions. Robert also led, managed and coordinated large scale responses to manage critical incidents such as hurricanes, massive power outages, employee casualties and implement continuity of operations plans as necessary.

Robert was the Acting Director, National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center where he directed and led a national coordination center, comprised of 19 U.S. federal and international agencies, combating intellectual property (IP) theft throughout the United States and abroad. Coordinated complex multi-state and international investigations involving IP theft. Robert oversaw an international outreach and training unit, policy unit, field support unit and a unit focusing on commercial fraud in the Customs arena and cultural property theft.

Robert has also served in other capacities at the U.S. Customs Service as the Deputy Special Agent in Charge of the Houston field office, Chief Financial Operations ICE /Director Financial Investigations, Deputy Executive Director West Operations, Special Agent, and Intelligence Aide.