New ICE agent takes charge in Bay Area

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials announced Monday the appointment of a new special agent in charge of the agency’s Homeland Security Investigations office in San Francisco.

Ryan Spradlin, 42, a longtime special agent from Atlanta, started his term as special agent in charge last week. He will oversee HSI offices in San Francisco and San Jose, in addition to numerous other locations in Northern California and northern Nevada, according to ICE officials.

ICE Director Sarah Saldana said in a statement:

“Given his proven leadership skills and extensive law enforcement experience, I’m confident Mr. Spradlin will be a tremendous asset to our investigative efforts in this crucial region.”

According to ICE officials, Spradlin has previously served in a variety of HSI leadership positions since 2009. He was formerly deputy special agent in charge for HSI Atlanta and also served as a regional intelligence director.

“From human exploitation crimes that victimize women and children to financial frauds involving intellectual property rights and trade-based money laundering, I look forward to working with our law enforcement partners to help keep our communities safe and thriving,” Spradlin said in a statement.

Spradlin has previous Bay Area ties as a graduate of San Jose State University in criminal justice administration, ICE officials said. He also went on to complete his master’s degree in education and multicultural counseling and at another California school, San Diego State University.

According to ICE officials, HSI special agents in Northern California are responsible for pursuing criminal activity involving human trafficking, child pornography, money laundering, narcotics and weapons trafficking, financial crimes, commercial fraud, and violations of intellectual property rights.