La Sierra University Criminal Justice Search Team Deployed in Georgia Cold Case

Investigation as Part of the U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program
Operation Lost Trails - The Search for Justice, a collaborative cold case search mission, launched on May 7, 2025, in Macon, Georgia, at the request of the Twiggs County Sheriff's Office. Centered on a Missing Person Search, the operation brought together the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), the Dublin Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office, Georgia Community Emergency Response Team K9 (GA-CERT K9), and La Sierra University's Criminal Justice Department, with added support from the university's Office of the Provost. This deployment served as a real-world component of the U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP), coordinated by Redemption Road K9.

The mission is part of Redemption Road K9's Law Enforcement Dogs for the 21st Century (LED-21 Registered ) Micro-Internship platform-an innovative training model that merges canine science, forensic methodology, and trauma-informed practices in active field investigations.

A Year of Growth & Innovation

Operation Lost Trails - The Search for Justice follows a year of national expansion and recognition for Redemption Road K9 (RRK9). In 2024, RRK9 earned national credentials, broadened academic alliances, and participated in high-profile events including SARCON, WonderCon, and Comic-Con. GA-CERT K9 also initiated the process of becoming a designated Child Abduction Response Team (CART) in partnership with the National Criminal Justice Training Center, positioning it for leadership in complex search operations.

Key milestones from 2024 include:

Research & Education: Launch of RRK9 Peak Performance Project Vol. 1, offering new insight into the nutritional demands and physical performance of working dogs. RRK9 also published Emergency Preparedness for Whom? How Atlanta's Disaster Response System Is Failing Its Most Vulnerable Populations, authored by John Anthony Shahor with contributions from the Animal-Assisted Intervention for the 21st Century (AAI-21 Registered ), La Sierra University's Criminal Justice Department, and published by Redemption Road K9 Training Academy Press & Shear Genius Publishing.

Leadership Development: Implementation of LED-21 Registered tactical micro-internships at WonderCon and Comic-Con, blending real-time scenario training with immersive skill-building experiences.

Programmatic & Geographic Expansion: Strategic growth into Panama City, San Bernardino, Seattle, and Atlanta to establish structured pre-apprenticeships in canine handling, public safety, and animal-assisted interventions.

Collaborative Leadership in Action

Operation Lost Trails - The Search for Justice was directed by GA-CERT K9 and La Sierra University Criminal Justice Search Team specialists. Mission leadership included Shirin ben Shahor-Shoshana, John ben Shahor-Shoshana, and Sinead Imbaro, who coordinated operational strategy. Yrene Ramirez served as the mission's forensic photographer, carefully preserving evidentiary documentation for future analysis.

Carlton Fuller, a forensic science expert with over 28 years in law enforcement and former Forensic Unit Manager for the Riverside County Sheriff's Department and Riverside Police Department, provided forensic consulting, ensuring evidence integrity through expertise in blood spatter analysis, forensic photography, and crime scene reconstruction.

Sinead Imbaro, K9 Operations Chief and detection specialist, offered essential mission planning and leadership, drawing from her experience with Florida Task Force 6 and as a K9 instructor. Her operational oversight was key to the mission's effectiveness.

Brandon Decosse, a Detective and SWAT K9 handler, led aerial drone surveillance. His contributions in evidence preservation and air-ground coordination ensured adherence to investigative protocols.

Students in the Field

Criminal Justice students from La Sierra University played a pivotal role in field operations. Alexandra Colorado, William Turturica, Guillermina Quinto, Hiran Licea, Katelynn Vasquez, Denise De La Torre, Larissa Cabral, Carolena Cuevas, and Paulina Tapia assisted in coordinating search zones and logistics. Additional students supported communications and real-time data tracking from campus.

"Our students are more than just learners-they are actively engaged in community impact," said John ben Shahor-Shoshana, Director of the LED-21 Registered Program. "This is a classroom-to-community model where students apply their knowledge to real-world cases."

Marco Antonio Quezada Jr., an Emergency Medical Technician, ensured field team safety and medical preparedness throughout the operation.

Real-World Learning With Immediate Impact

"This is a real mission with real consequences," said Shirin ben Shahor-Shoshana, Director of Operations for the LED-21 Registered Program. "Through coordinated search, trauma-informed practice, and forensic integration, our students are not only preparing for careers-they're already serving communities."

Operation Lost Trails - The Search for Justice highlights the power of hands-on, interdisciplinary learning. It exemplifies growing cooperation between academic institutions, law enforcement, and forensic science professionals.

This mission was made possible through the partnership of GA-CERT K9, La Sierra University Criminal Justice Department, the Twiggs County Sheriff's Office, GBI, and the Dublin Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office-marking a transformative step in the evolution of public safety education and community-centered justice.

Media Contact
Company Name: Redemption Road K9
Contact Person: Shirin Shahor
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Phone: (404) 500-9304
Country: United States
Website: http://www.gacertk9.com

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