PASSION, PERSEVERANCE, PURPOSE & PROTECTION
Fernando spent many years working undercover and has conducted hundreds of investigations infiltrating human trafficking networks. He played a crucial role in both covert and overt intelligence operations during Operation Cattleya This was the result of a multi-agency operation that spanned nine months and resulted in the largest human trafficking rescue mission in the history of the Dominican Republic.​
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Fernando's impact is not limited to a particular region, as he has provided training to thousands of law enforcement officials, various intelligence agencies, and specialized anti-trafficking units in Spanish-speaking countries in the areas of operational tradecraft techniques related to human trafficking and undercover operations. Some of the agencies that Fernando has trained include Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Transnational Criminal Investigation Unit (TCIU), The Attorney's General Criminal Investigation Unit UIC, the National Police Anti-human Trafficking Department of Ecuador and the Dominican Republic, and the Mayor's Office of Cúcuta, Colombia.
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Fernando has received numerous commendations and testimonials from senior military, law enforcement, and government officials and has also written several articles on various topics that have been published in well-known magazines such as the Standards & Training Director Magazine, which is the official publication of the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST).
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Fernando is a member of several law enforcement associations, including the International Association of Human Trafficking Investigators, the International Association of Undercover Officers, the International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts, the NYPD Sheild, and the National Tactical Officers Association.
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He has received formal training in human trafficking investigations and intelligence from various reputable organizations such as the Center for Homeland Defense and Security, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), ACAMS, McAfee Institute, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C), American Military University (AMU), John Jay College of Criminal Justice, the Multijurisdictional Counterdrug Task Force, John E. Reid and Associates, Inc. and the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency.
THE BIRTH OF ATB
Fernando established the Antitrafficking Bureau (ATB) in the Dominican Republic due to the lack of an officially registered anti-trafficking organization for adults in the country. He noticed that the existing initiatives primarily focused on child exploitation and aimed to create a more significant impact. Despite the presence of US-based non-profits working in the Dominican Republic, Fernando's goal was to actively investigate and rescue victims from all forms of human trafficking.
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ATB works in close collaboration with various government agencies such as the Attorney General's Office and the Ministry of Women, as well as international organizations to combat human trafficking. The bureau is committed to addressing human trafficking comprehensively, and is responsible for investigating cases of trafficking, rescuing victims, and providing vital support and assistance to those affected.
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ATB places great importance on raising awareness about human trafficking and the exploitation of minors. The bureau aims to educate communities about the various facets of this pervasive issue. Additionally, ATB plays a vital role in enhancing the capabilities of law enforcement officers and other professionals. Through training programs, the bureau equips these individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to identify and effectively respond to trafficking cases. This contribution helps to eradicate human trafficking in the Dominican Republic and Colombia with a concerted effort.
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He is part of the leadership team for The Ursus Institute, a US-based non-profit organization that combats human trafficking. Additionally, he served as an agent for the US-based Counter Human Trafficking Joint Task Force for three years.