Special Agent Kenny Maldonado is an investigator with the FAA Law Enforcement Assistance Program (also known as LEAP) that falls within the FAA’s Office of Security – National Security Programs, Southwest Region, in Fort Worth, Texas. He has been with the FAA since 2011 and is responsible for conducting regulatory investigations involving airmen, aircraft, and certificated entities involved in criminal activities. The FAA LEAP Branch is directly involved with regulatory investigations such as Drug and Alcohol violations, falsification of aircraft registration or airman documentation; all in support of aviation safety. In addition to this, LEAP agents work closely with Federal, State, Local, and Tribal, Law Enforcement Agencies with matters involving aviation related investigations such as drug smuggling, money laundering, airman prison matches, DUI/DWI investigations, provides investigative assistance and document inspection training. Most recently, Agent Maldonado has trained and assisted hundreds of Law Enforcement Officers in Texas in regards to UAS training.

Agent Maldonado holds a double major Bachelor degree and began his federal career in 1997 as a Law Enforcement Officer with U.S. Customs. Agent Maldonado has also trained Federal/State Foreign Law Enforcement Agencies in Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Colombia in support of the Department of State training initiatives. Agent Maldonado has trained the Guatemalan, Mexican, and Brazilian National Police on aviation related investigations. Agent Maldonado is a certified DEA/HIDTA Jetway Instructor, and State certified and accredited to teach continuing education classes in Texas, Oklahoma, and in New Mexico.