Lynnhaven Club Welcomes Special Agent
by Robert C. Spadaccini

The Lynnhaven Kiwinas club in Virginia Beach, Virginia welcomed the Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Norfolk field office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to its breakfast meeting on Wednesday, August 27, 2008.

SAC Alex J. Turner joined by Ms. Vanessa Torres, Community Outreach Specialist explained the changing role of the FBI since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. SAC Turner noted that the top priority of the FBI is now to prevent any further attacks on US soil. The FBI also maintains enforcement activities in cyber crime, white collar crime, gang activities, bank robberies and embezzlement.

SAC Turner's responsibilities include accessing the threats to the Tidewater area and acknowledged that the top two are threats to infrastructure (with Norfolk having the second largest port on the east coast) and gang activities. The Norfolk office employs over 120 staff that include special agents, analysts, counter terrorism experts and a variety of support staff.

One of his priorities includes partnering with the community to educate residents on the FBI's activities and partnering with residents thru activities that include the FBI Citizens Academy.

SAC Turner began his service as a patrol officer in the Greenbelt, Maryland police department and joined the FBI in 1985. His first duty assignment was in the Atlanta, Georgia Division office that included activities as an undercover agent, managing the Atlanta Multi-Agency Gang Task Force and was later charged with the establishment and supervision of the Atlanta Regional Drug Intelligence Squad. He was promoted and reassigned to FBI Headquarters in 1995 and established the National Gang Intelligence Center. In 2008 SAC Turner was promoted to Special Agent in Charge of the Norfolk Field office where he currently serves.