For Immediate Release: 4/17/23

Sheriff Austin Garrett Deputizes Federal Agents with HSI

Hamilton County, TN – On April 17th, 2023, Six of Homeland Security Investigations Chattanooga’s Special Agents were sworn in as Special Deputies with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.

Information on HSI Chattanooga:

HSI Chattanooga Special Agents have partnered with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) on investigations involving drug trafficking, crimes against children (child exploitation), and counter-terrorism investigations.

To that end, HSI Chattanooga and HCSO are committed to working together to prevent, investigate, and hold persons accountable for serious crimes in our community.

HCSO currently has three Deputies cross-designated and certified as Homeland Security Investigations Task Force Officers (HSI TFOs).

HCSO has cross designated and deputized all six of HSI Chattanooga’s Special Agents as Special Deputies with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office. The partnership between HSI Chattanooga and HCSO allows the agencies to pool resources, and work jointly to keep the citizens of Hamilton County, TN safer.

Background on Homeland Security Investigations (HSI):

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) was created after the terror attacks on 9/11. HSI is one of the largest criminal investigative agencies (7,100 special agents) in the United States and is primarily responsible for investigating transnational crime.

HSI has a broad investigative mandate which includes investigating violations of laws related to, narcotics trafficking, child exploitation, terrorism investigations, weapons smuggling, human trafficking, financial crimes, gang investigations, cybercrime, human rights, intellectual property rights, and export enforcement issues. HSI has offices in 200+ cities throughout the world and is located in 47+ countries.

“Partnerships such as this joint task force with HSI demonstrate my commitment to utilizing every resource available to combat crime and those who seek to victimize our community,” stated Sheriff Austin Garrett.