INVESTIGATOR'S BIOS
Chief Investigator
Billy Lane
Billy Lane is a retired career law enforcement detective with twenty years of distinguished service. During his years of service as an undercover detective, Chief Lane gained valuable knowledge and experience conducting intense investigations involving narcotics trafficking, vice crimes, and criminal street gangs on both the local and federal level. Chief Lane is well versed in both local and federal criminal investigations and is an expert in the field of covert stationary and mobile surveillance. In addition to numerous awards and decorations, Chief Lane was the recipient of the coveted “Detective of the Year” for his investigative prowess.
Chief Lane spent nine years as a uniformed police officer and crime scene technician where he responded to police calls for service. Chief Lane was promoted to Detective where he was assigned to the Intelligence Unit investigating gain related crimes and eventually became a Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE) with IACIS. Chief Lane spent the next six years as a CFCE investigating child porn, homicide, and other computer-related cases. Chief Lane was also a long term member of MAGTF (Multi Agency Gang Task Force) where he worked in conjunction with other agencies to combat criminal street gang violence.
Chief Lane completed his remaining five years of service working undercover in the narcotics unit where he was tasked with writing search warrants and investigating narcotics violations. While in the narcotics unit he was deputized as a Federal Task Force Officer with the United States Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, where he was tasked with working undercover, rescuing human trafficking victims and also assisted the Homeland Security Investigations SRT Team with federal search warrants.
Chief Lane was also attached to the diplomatic protection detail while assigned to the intelligence unit where he assisted on Presidential Protection details for George Bush and Barack Obama and other political dignitaries as both an intelligence officer and armed diplomatic protection agent.
Since his separation from law enforcement, Chief Lane founded Prison Break Investigations and created a criminal defense based, private investigative agency that employs former law enforcement officers. Chief Lane has been a licensed Private Investigator since 2015, where he has worked criminal defense and specializes in covert surveillance.
Chief Lane holds numerous certifications to include:
• Certified Diplomatic Protection Professional (ITAC Services)
• Diplomatic Protection – Lakeland Police Department
• FCIC Certification – Florida Department of Law Enforcement
• Identity Theft - Office of the Florida Attorney General
• Basic Street Gang Certification – Lakeland Police Department
• Specialized Counter Terrorism & Mail Security – Florida Department of Law Enforcement
• IS-00100 Intro to Incident Command System – FEMA
• IS-00200 ICS for Single Resource – FEMA
• IS-00300 National Incident Management System – FEMA
• IS-00800 National Response Framework - FEMA
• Advance Taser Certification – Lakeland Police Department
• Counter Terrorist Threat Detection - Florida Intelligence Unit
• Basic Data Recovery – National White Collar Crime Center
• Intermediate Data Recovery – National White Collar Crime Center
• Secure Techniques for Onsite Preview – National White Collar Crime Center
• Certified Forensic Computer Examiner – International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists
• Cell Phone Forensic Course – High Tech Crime Institute
• Forensic Imaging Techniques – University of South Florida
• GPS Mobile Tracking Devices - Cobham
• Electronics and Technical Surveillance – National Technical Investigator’s Association
• Domestic Terrorism – Florida Intelligence Unit
• Russian Organized Crime – Florida Intelligence Unit
• Title 19 Cross Federal Training Designation Training - Homeland Security Investigations
• Certified Clandestine Laboratory Investigator – DEA
• Certified Clandestine Laboratory Site Safety Officer – DEA
Assistant Chief Investigator Donald Heacox
Assistant Chief Heacox retired from the Lakeland Police Department as a Sergeant after twenty years of service. During his time at the police department he served in the uniformed patrol division for four years, the neighborhood liaison unit for three years, and the uniformed patrol division as a sergeant for thirteen years. During his twenty years of service he completed several advanced courses in death investigation, investigative techniques, interview and interrogation, tactical drug operations, internal affairs investigation, field training officer, gang investigations, Pepperball armorer and instructor, line supervision, National Incident Management System, ethics in supervision, conflict resolution, personnel management, performance evaluation, and intracity middle management. He was also a certified gang liaison officer, a uniformed crime scene technician, a domestic abuse response team sergeant, a senior member of the Dive Team, and a certified Crisis Intervention Team sergeant. In addition to numerous awards and decorations, Assistant Chief Heacox was the recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal and the Life Saving Medal.
Assistant Chief Heacox is a cum laude graduate of Florida Southern College and Polk State College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology and an Associate in Arts degree in Criminal Justice respectively. Prior to attending college, he completed four years of active duty in the U.S. Army serving in the Republic of Panama and Fort Devens in Massachusetts receiving an Honorable Discharge. In the army Assistant Chief Heacox was awarded the Army Service award, National Defense Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Expert Marksmen Badge (rifle, grenade, and machine gun), Air Crewman Wings, Driver Badge, and the Jungle Expert Badge.
Assistant Chief Heacox has been a Licensed Private Investigator in the State of Florida since May 2017 and is a member of the Florida Association of Licensed Investigators, the National Association of Sentencing Advocates and Mitigation Specialists, the National Defender Investigator Association, the National Legal Aid and Defender Association, and the National Association for Public Defense.
Private Investigator
Tim Ellis
Tim Ellis is a retired Deputy Sheriff who began his law enforcement career in 1992 after earning a B.S. in electrical engineering from Mississippi State University. He holds State of Florida certifications in at-scene traffic homicide and advanced traffic crash investigation, field training officer, K-9 Instructor (patrol), and K-9 Narcotics instructor. He spent time in each discipline, with the majority being as a working K-9 handler and unit trainer.
Following his retirement, Tim began working in criminal defense investigations in 2011 and is a State of Florida licensed private investigator. He has conducted investigations within several Florida Judicial Circuits for various private attorney clients as well as State of Florida court appointed cases. His experience includes trial testimony at both the state and federal level and he has been previously qualified in federal court as an expert witness in police K-9 procedures and training.
Private Investigator
Jill Tuman
Jill Tuman is a Licensed Private Investigator who brings a wide variety of life experiences to her profession, making her a valuable asset not only to Prison Break Investigations, but to any attorney and client she works for. Jill holds a B.S. Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Florida. While she was a student at U.F., she was employed as a Juvenile Probation Officer, Arbitrator, and Mediator. She supervised first-time offenders in five counties surrounding the Gainesville, Fl area. After obtaining her B.S. Degree, Jill attended the Police Academy at Santa Fe College. Upon completion of the Academy, she was a Deputy Sheriff in Leon County and later, a Police Officer at the University of Florida. At the University of Florida, she worked both Patrol and the Crime Prevention Units, and was a member of the Sexual Battery Call-Out Team and part of her job as a member of the Crime Prevention Unit was to give presentations to the UF students about safety, sexual battery, and victim prevention. Jill has work over 100 criminal defense cases to date.
She holds a license as a Registered Dental Hygienist and has spent the last 23 years as a dental educator and hygienist in Naples and Lakeland, Florida. In addition to this, she was the Business Development Coordinator for Dr. Craig Valentine, DMD, for 5 years.
Since the age of 18, Jill has wanted to be an investigator. In 2018, she decided to pursue her dream and obtained her Florida License. Since becoming an investigator, Jill has worked with several attorneys, and has assisted in the defense of close to 50 criminal cases and 5 civil cases.
Jill has always been passionate about volunteering in her communities and has been very busy giving of her time. She is currently a Guardian Ad Litem volunteer. She has been involved with various activities with her church, Shepherd Road Presbyterian Church. She volunteered her time with Meals on Wheels, and also LVIM, a group that provided education and dental care to low income families. She was involved with leading fund-raising efforts for Clarke’s House, an organization that benefitted homeless veterans. In addition, she worked with the Salvation Army Disaster Relief. For five years, in Alachua County and Polk County Schools, she was a volunteer and worked with children to assist in remedial reading. She has been a member of the Elks Club and helped serve Veterans at the C. James Medical Center in Tampa.
Needless to say, Jill brings a variety of life experience to her credentials. She is affable, demonstrates a positive attitude, and is a good listener. She is adamant about her beliefs, and has the ability to bring people together. She is tenacious and has an excellent work ethic. She would be an asset to any team, and pursue, to the best of her ability, truth and justice.
Private Investigator
Katy Raine
Katy Raine holds a B.A. in Psychology from Southern Methodist University and a J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law. Formerly a small business owner and an educator, Katy brings a unique perspective to Prison Break Investigations. Katy has learned the intricacies of the criminal justice system from her position as a legal analyst for and assistant to, a former prosecutor who specializes in criminal defense in Tampa, Florida. Katy is experienced in preparing for and assisting at motion hearings and jury trials, including first-degree murder and death penalty cases. Although her primary focus has been on criminal casework, her other cases have included probate, domestic relations and torts. Katy is a critical thinker with a strong understanding of the rules of evidence as well as the rules of criminal and civil procedure. She is a skilled legal researcher and writer, having drafted a number of successful motions including an interlocutory appeal to the Second District Court of Appeals during a RICO case. Katy is a licensed Florida private investigator.
Private Investigator
Kristi Allaire
Kristi Allaire worked at the Auburndale Police Department for 22 years before retiring in July of 2018. During her time at Auburndale Police Department she worked as a patrol officer until she was assigned to the Community Oriented Policing Unit where assignments included bicycle patrol, neighborhood meetings, and building and strengthening relationships between our agency and the community. She became a field-training officer and trained several new officers for the department. Next, she transferred into the Criminal Investigations Unit where she served as a detective investigating all crimes to include gang related crimes. She was selected to serve a term on a regional High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program where she worked in an undercover capacity. She then returned to the Criminal Investigations Unit where she worked all types of cases eventually specializing in major crimes such as Special Victims, Child Protection, Elderly Abuse, and Homicide.
Kristi had attended several advanced courses specializing in homicide, gang intelligence, social media, interview and interrogations, field training officer, narcotics investigations, tactical entry basic and advanced, domestic violence, human trafficking, dui, missing persons, sexual battery, elderly abuse, and child abuse.
Private Investigator
Teri Gentry
Teri Gentry, is a retired sworn law enforcement officer of thirteen years.During this period, Gentry served as a Deputy Sheriff, a Police Officer, and Chief Administrative Officer.Gentry possesses a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Saint Leo University.
Gentry began her law enforcement career in St Johns County, Florida in 1999.Gentry was assigned to the Bravo South shift where she assisted the Organized Crime Bureau (OCB) with undercover drug operations.Gentry was then assigned to the Traffic Unit where she became a member of the Aggressive Driving/ D.U.I. Task Force.
Gentry moved to Marion County, Florida and began working at the Ocala Police Department in 2001. Gentry served as a patrol officer for approximately two and a half years. Gentry later transferred to the Targeted Crimes Division where Gentry conducted prostitution and drug ‘sting’ operations.
Gentry have attended over three hundred (300) training courses, seminars and symposiums relating to evidence protocol, evidence supervision, drug detection, criminal investigative techniques, etc. Gentry have been blessed to receive numerous certificates, awards, and medals for the detection and apprehension of aggravated battery, robbery, and murder suspects.
Gentry moved to Gilchrist County, Florida and began working for the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office in 2005. Gentry served for a brief period of time assigned to the Patrol Division. I then transferred to the Criminal Investigative Division (CID) where Gentry was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. As part of this unit, Gentry was assigned a plethora of cases that ranged from financial crimes to homicide. In addition to those duties, Gentry also served as the Evidence Supervisor where Gentry developed and maintained strict measures for the gathering, handling, receipt, security, and disposition of all property, especially that property to be used as evidence in a court of law.
In 2006, Gentry was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander responsible for overseeing all criminal investigations assigned to the C.I.D. unit. Gentry skipped the rank of Captain and in 2008 was appointed Major as Chief Administrative Officer responsible for overseeing Corrections, Civil, Criminal Investigations, Personnel, Records and Evidence.
In 2012, Gentry opted to 'retire' from active law enforcement and teach Criminal Justice and Evidence courses for Saint Leo University.
Private Investigator
Lynnette Burke
Lynnette Burke is a licensed private investigator in the State of Florida since October, 2019. She retired from a career in law enforcement support after 18 years of service. During that time she served as a crime scene investigator, investigative analyst for the robbery and homicide units, was a property & evidence officer and also spent time in human resources and benefits.
Investigator Burke has received 336 training hours in criminal investigative analysis through Alpha Group, IPTM, MJDTF and the FBI. Eighty of those hours are in psychological profiling. Her most recent training was 40 hours of Crime Scene Reconstruction through IPTM in 2017.
Investigator Burke is a cum laude graduate of Columbia Southern University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a graduate of Keiser College with an Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice with honors.
She has been the recipient of numerous Sheriff’s, Department and Bureau commendations during her career with the Sheriff’s Office.
Email - LynnetteBurke@PrisonBreakInvestigations.com