Erin Havelka

Harris County Sheriff's Office

Erin Havelka is a crime analyst with over a decade of experience in crime and intelligence analysis at the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO). After receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a Master’s degree in Criminology, she began her career in the Crime Analysis Unit and Real Time Crime Center in 2013.  Honing her skills in crime and data analysis, intelligence research, and investigative tactics, Erin's expertise in implementing best practices has enhanced intelligence gathering and case development.  Now part of the Crime Analysis and Intelligence Division, she supports patrol operations and criminal investigations with her analytical proficiency. Utilizing tactical and strategic analysis skills, coupled with her investigative mindset, she employs diverse data and intelligence software tools to create detailed visualizations of criminal networks, aiding investigations targeting violent crimes, gangs, corruption, and narcotics. Her proficiency is sought after by patrol officers and investigators for guidance in strategy development and target identification. These visual representations serve as vital tools in multi-agency initiatives, leading to numerous successful arrests and operations around the Houston area.  Her proactive approach, especially in facial comparison, has led to swift suspect identifications in various investigations, including cases involving the shooting of law enforcement personnel. She shares her knowledge by teaching facial comparison to fellow HCSO members and neighboring agencies.  Her leadership extends beyond her role, as she established training programs for new analysts and developed an internship program for aspiring analysts. Erin's dedication and innovative approaches have significantly elevated the field of crime and intelligence analysis, benefiting both her agency and the broader community.

James Lichau

Harris County Sheriff's Office

Lichau began his career as a Target Analyst Reporter for the US Military in 2012. He continued in the intelligence analysis field post enlistment by joining the Harris County Sheriff’s Office in 2016, where he has served as a criminal intelligence analyst for the Real Time Crime Center and the Crime Analysis and Intelligence Division.

Leah Misket

Killeen Police Department

Leah Mishket is a Crime Analyst with the Killeen Police Department. Prior to becoming an analyst, she gained valuable experience as a dispatcher trainee with the Boerne Police Department, interning with the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office, and volunteering with the San Antonio Police Department. She earned the Law Enforcement Analyst Foundational certification from the International Association of Crime Analysts. Her academic background includes a Master of Public Service and Administration focusing on Public Policy Analysis from the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice with a minor in Cyber Security from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Additionally, she earned the Crime Analysis Certificate from Sam Houston State University’s Center for Intelligence and Crime Analysis. She is committed to continuous professional growth, actively seeking training opportunities, and is excited to join the TXLEAN webinar subcommittee to help bring valuable content to members.

Kyle Richards

Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center (FCIC)

Kyle Richards is a Criminal Intelligence Analyst with the Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center (FCIC), where he supports analytical efforts to detect, assess, and disrupt organized financial crime across the state. He brings more than two decades of military, state, and interagency law enforcement experience, with expertise in crime analysis, threat assessment, and intelligence operations. Since 2024, Kyle has also served as a technical instructor and lecturer for Sam Houston State University’s Crime Analyst Certificate Program, mentoring public safety professionals in advanced analytic tradecraft, data visualization, and intelligence methodologies. His technical proficiency spans geospatial, communications, and social network analysis as well as statistical forecasting. He is seasoned using platforms such as ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, i2 Analyst Notebook, Gephi, Tableau, Power BI, SPSS, and SQL-based tools.

A native of San Antonio, Kyle began his career in mid-2001 as a U.S. Air Force Security Forces member before laterally transitioning to military working dog operations and then into military intelligence, specializing in signals and geospatial intelligence. Over his 20-year military career, he served in both analytical and liaison roles, trained hundreds of allied personnel, and directed multi-disciplinary intelligence teams supporting global operations. Following retirement in 2021, he joined the Texas Department of Public Safety as a Highway Safety Field Analyst, where he supported 43 Central-Texas counties with crash, enforcement, and crime data analysis. Kyle holds a B.A. in Criminal Justice, is completing a B.A.S. in Intelligence & Information Operations with a concentration in Law Enforcement Intelligence, and maintains professional certifications including Cyber Crime Intelligence Analyst (3CIA) and Intelligence Fundamentals Professional Certification (IFPC). He is an active member of TXLEAN, IACA, and IALEIA, each of which fill his passion for professional development, mentoring, and career field camaraderie.