Laurie J. Bennett Reports as SAC in Buffalo

Bennett will lead the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Buffalo Field Office

Washington, D.C. – Laurie J. Bennett, a 16 year veteran of the FBI, has reported for duty as the Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the FBI’s Buffalo Field Office. Director Robert S. Mueller appointed her to this position in April 2006. In her new role, SAC Bennett will lead a diverse team of professionals assigned to fighting domestic and international terrorism as well as combating traditional criminal matters in western New York State. She is replacing Peter J. Ahearn who retired from the FBI after almost five years of heading the Buffalo Office.

Ms. Bennett entered on duty with the FBI in 1990 and was assigned to the Washington Field Office where she investigated international terrorism, drug trafficking, violent crimes and organized crime. She was an Evidence Response Team Leader and deployed to Saudi Arabia following the Khobar Towers bombing. In 1997 she was appointed as a Supervisor and served at FBI Headquarters in the areas of Russian, Eastern European and Asian Organized Crime, La Costra Nostra (LCN) and Labor Racketeering. In 1999, Ms. Bennett was selected as a Supervisor in the Minneapolis Field Office where she supervised Special Agents investigating financial and economic crimes, internet fraud, identity theft, hate crimes, violations of civil rights, and a Joint Terrorism Task Force investigating the funding of terrorist organizations and activities. In 2002, Ms. Bennett was appointed as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Portland Field Office, overseeing all investigative, intelligence and administrative programs. Ms. Bennett was selected to the ranks of Senior Executive Service (SES) in 2004 and was appointed to the Counter Terrorism Division where she served as Section Chief of the Communication Exploitation Section.

Ms. Bennett graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin at LaCrosse in 1980. She was commissioned as an Army Officer after graduation and served in both the United States and Germany. In 1986, Ms. Bennett, earned a Master of Science degree and a Master of Public Administration degree from Georgia State University. Ms. Bennett served as the Exercise Physiologist for the State of Georgia, Department of Public Safety and trained police, sheriff deputies, firefighters, and Special Agents in health, physical fitness, stress management, wellness and scuba diving for the search and recovery of human remains and evidence.