Debra Evans Smith Named Special Agent in Charge of the Administrative Division at FBI's Washington Field Office

Director Robert S. Mueller, III has appointed Debra E. Smith special agent in charge of the Administrative Division of the Washington Field Office. Ms. Smith most recently served as one of Director Mueller’s special assistants.

Ms. Smith began her career with the FBI in May 1984 as a professional staff employee. In 1987, she completed new agents’ training in Quantico, Virginia and was assigned to the New Orleans Field Office, where she worked a variety of programs, including civil rights and white-collar crime.

In 1989, Ms. Smith attended the Foreign Service Institute in Rosslyn, Virginia, where she studied the Russian language, later transferring to the Los Angeles Field Office, where she worked Russian Foreign counterintelligence and Russian organized crime. In 1996, she transferred to the Washington Field Office, continuing her work in Russian foreign counterintelligence investigations.

Ms. Smith was promoted to supervisor in the Overseas Espionage Unit position at FBI Headquarters, where she managed multiple espionage cases. In 2000, she was assigned to supervise an espionage squad at the Washington Field Office. Most notably, she worked on the investigation of former FBI Special Agent Robert Hanssen. In 2002, she received the Attorney General’s Award for Excellence for her work on the Hanssen investigation, and the National Intelligence Certificate of Distinction.

In August 2006, Ms. Smith was promoted to assistant special agent in charge of the San Diego Division and oversaw responsibility for the intelligence, border liaison, security, media, and community outreach programs. She was selected to serve as chief of the Counterespionage Group, Central Intelligence Agency, overseeing a large group of personnel including investigators, analysts, security, National Clandestine Service officers, and individuals detailed from within the intelligence community.

Ms. Smith earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She is also the proud mother of one son.