MARK CHOATE
Goose Creek
Summary
Experienced investigator with 18+ years in law enforcement and complex investigations (financial crimes, organized activity, multi-claim schemes, ICAC). Proven record of conducting field work, vendor coordination, OSINT/social media analysis, surveillance oversight, recorded interviews, evidence collection, and preparing clear, objective investigative reports. Comfortable with travel, courtroom testimony, and collaborating with claims/legal partners. Eligible to work hybrid and remote from South Carolina.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Sergeant, Supervisor, Criminal Investigations Unit
Town of Moncks Corner Police Department
Moncks Corner
12.2025 - 01.2026
- Serve as supervisor of the Criminal Investigations Unit, managing investigative operations and personnel.
- Lead and coordinate complex investigations; assign cases, oversee investigative strategy, and ensure investigative quality and compliance.
- Supervise detectives, conduct performance reviews, mentor and train investigative staff, and manage staffing/shift assignments.
- Coordinate cross-agency collaboration with prosecutors, federal partners, and forensic teams; prepare case packages for prosecution.
- Oversee vendor engagements (surveillance, forensic services), review deliverables, and maintain chain-of-custody and case file integrity.
- Prepare and review investigative reports, court affidavits, and provide testimony; ensure documentation is clear for non-technical stakeholders.
Detective
City of Goose Creek Police Department
Goose Creek
04.2025 - 12.2025
- Investigated financial crimes, fraud, and identity theft; validated documentation and underwriting-relevant evidence.
- ICAC Task Force Officer: conducted digital investigations, interviews, and multi-jurisdictional coordination.
- Performed recorded interviews, site canvasses, and scene examinations to verify material facts.
Sergeant / DEA Task Force Officer / Narcotics Detective
City of Charleston Police Department
Charleston
03.2014 - 03.2025
- Conducted federal- and state-level complex investigations involving organized networks, multi-event linkages, and financial exploitation.
- Assigned and oversaw surveillance and vendor activities; reviewed deliverables and ensured documentation integrity.
- Executed controlled operations, search warrants, and high-risk field actions; prepared affidavits and prosecutable case packets.
- Trained and supervised personnel; maintained highly organized case files and evidence chains.
Patrol Officer
Town of Perryville Police Department
Perryville
06.2008 - 02.2014
- Conducted preliminary investigations, secured scenes, collected evidence, and prepared incident reports and court testimony.
NBC Specialist / Squad Leader
United States Army
02.2001 - 02.2009
- Conducted threat assessments, training, and coordinated emergency responses in deployed environments.
Education
Master of Public Administration -
Anna Maria College
Paxton, MA12-2020
B.S. - Business Psychology
Pennsylvania State University
State College, PA08-2013
Skills
- Complex fraud investigations
- Multi-claim investigations
- Field interviews
- Recorded statements
- EOU support
- Vendor oversight
- Surveillance
- Scene examination
- Specialty vendors
- OSINT
- Social media research
- Database research
- Link analysis
- Evidence collection
- Chain-of-custody
- Scene examinations
- Report writing
- Case file organization
- Escalation to law enforcement
- Microsoft Office
- Evidence management systems
- Strong verbal communication
- Strong written communication
- Courtroom testimony
Additional Information
Extensive field travel experience; available for travel as required., Strong history testifying in legal proceedings and coordinating with prosecutors., References available upon request.
Selected Training And Certifications
- Task Force Officer School, DEA, 2022
- The Reid Technique of Interview & Interrogation, 2018
- Crime Scene Investigator Phase I & II, 2012
- FBI Terrorism Response Tactics (ALERT) Certification, 2013
- Various narcotics, OSINT, and surveillance training courses
Timeline
Sergeant, Supervisor, Criminal Investigations Unit
Town of Moncks Corner Police Department
12.2025 - 01.2026
Detective
City of Goose Creek Police Department
04.2025 - 12.2025
Sergeant / DEA Task Force Officer / Narcotics Detective
City of Charleston Police Department
03.2014 - 03.2025
Patrol Officer
Town of Perryville Police Department
06.2008 - 02.2014
NBC Specialist / Squad Leader
United States Army
02.2001 - 02.2009
Master of Public Administration -
Anna Maria College
B.S. - Business Psychology
Pennsylvania State University