Kristopher D. Pagitt serves as an Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tampa, FL. HSI is the principal investigative component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating, disrupting, and dismantling transnational criminal organizations and terrorist networks that threaten or seek to exploit the customs and immigration laws of the United States. HSI’s workforce consists of over 10,000 employees, including special agents, criminal analysts, mission support personnel and contract staff assigned to over 220 offices throughout the United States and over 50 countries around the world.
As an ASAC within HSI Tampa, Mr. Pagitt oversees 31 special agents and task force officers, intelligence specialists, computer forensic analysts, and administrative and support staff in the Tampa office, and another 25 special agents, task force officers and support staff in the HSI Sarasota office.
Prior to this assignment, Mr. Pagitt worked at HSI Headquarters in Washington, D.C.as a Deputy Chief of Staff for the Office of the Executive Associate Director (EAD), specifically the Countering Transnational Organized Crime (CTOC) Division. While assigned to HSI headquarters, Mr. Pagitt also served as the section chief for the Special Activities Unit (SAU), which provides programmatic oversight for HSI’s Special Response Team, Rapid Response Team, Crisis Negotiator, and Tactical Emergency Medical Services (TEMS) Programs. He also served as the section chief for Financial Crime Investigations at the National Targeting Center – Investigations.
Prior to his time at HSI Headquarters, Mr. Pagitt served as a group supervisor in Portland, Oregon, where he oversaw HIDTA operations as well as narcotics and bulk cash smuggling investigations.
Mr. Pagitt began his federal career in 2006 as a special agent with HSI and was assigned to Sells, Arizona, and subsequently Tucson, Arizona. During his time a special agent, he led numerous successful multi-jurisdictional undercover investigations and was a member and team leader of the HSI Arizona SRT.
Before joining HSI, Mr. Pagitt was employed with the Texas Department of Public Safety as a Texas State Trooper. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Texas, Tyler. Mr. Pagitt has been married for 11 years and has a 9-year-old son and daughter.