Husband | Father | Private Investigator | Process Server | Intelligence Analyst | Entrepreneur | Author | Pilot | OSINT Expert | Content Creator

 

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Background and Personal Life

Born and raised in the small, rural town of Elton, Louisiana, Brandon LaVan has always been deeply connected to his roots. After graduating from Elton High School in 2008, Brandon briefly attended college but left after just one semester. However, this decision did not deter him from pursuing his ambitions. He remained in Elton, choosing to live right next door to his childhood home, a reflection of his strong attachment to his community. Married for three years, Brandon and his wife recently celebrated the birth of their first child in July 2024. The family’s love for nature is evident in their frequent trips to Utah and Colorado, where they visit national parks at least three times a year, immersing themselves in the beauty of the natural world.

 

Professional Journey

Brandon’s career began in law enforcement in October 2013, a path that provided him with invaluable experience patrolling the streets of Louisiana, before supervising probation and parole offenders. After several years in law enforcement, Brandon transitioned into private investigation, joining a local agency in Louisiana in February 2020. His foray into private investigation was the foundation for what would become a thriving career in the field. However, in Louisiana, state regulations require private investigators to work under another agency for three years before launching their own. While waiting to fulfill this requirement, Brandon channeled his entrepreneurial spirit into founding Southwest Louisiana Process Service, LLC in August 2022.

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Building a business from the ground up in a competitive industry is no easy feat, especially when facing off against well-established, nationwide companies with extensive resources. Brandon found himself in a digital David-versus-Goliath battle, competing against giants that dominated search engine rankings through their substantial advertising and marketing budgets. Without the luxury of hiring a dedicated team of writers, digital marketing experts, or web designers, Brandon turned to his deep understanding of technology and his keen grasp of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to level the playing field. He meticulously crafted business plans, designed unique logos, and built user-friendly websites for his businesses. Brandon also immersed himself in learning SEO strategies and innovative marketing techniques, writing blogs and creating backlinks to boost his online presence. These efforts, driven by determination and creativity, paid off. Southwest Louisiana Process Service quickly gained a reputation for efficiency, accuracy, and reliability, and is now recognized as the #1 Process Server in Southwest Louisiana.

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In June 2023, Brandon launched Louisiana Private Investigations & Intelligence Agency, LLC, expanding his influence in the private investigation industry. This agency offers a comprehensive range of services, including surveillance, in-depth investigations for child custody cases, skip tracing, and extensive online investigations. The agency’s use of advanced digital techniques, artificial intelligence, and a tailored approach ensures that each client’s unique needs are met, whether in custody investigations, online dating investigations, or infidelity cases.

 

Significant Cases and Projects

Throughout his career, Brandon has been involved in numerous high-profile and complex investigations.

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-One of his most notable achievements was his work on a kidnapping case that was featured on Unsolved Mysteries in 2022. Utilizing his expertise in Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), Brandon uncovered new leads that had been missed by authorities, including the U.S. Marshals Service. By analyzing breached email addresses, usernames, and passwords, he was able to identify new online accounts linked to a person of interest—accounts that had previously gone undetected. Unfortunately, the case is still open unsolved.

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-In another significant case, Brandon worked closely with the State of Louisiana to conduct inspections of illicit massage parlors. His investigation provided crucial first-hand evidence, detailed reports, and witness testimony that were instrumental in shutting down human trafficking operations involving illegal immigrants and money laundering schemes in the Baton Rouge area.

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-In addition to these investigations, Brandon conducted a voter fraud investigation in a small town in Louisiana in November 2022. His meticulous work uncovered multiple instances of fraud, including false registrations and fraudulent use of absentee ballots. Although the Secretary of State ultimately decided not to pursue reelection due to the limited impact of the fraud on the overall election results, Brandon’s investigation highlighted critical vulnerabilities in the electoral process.

Brandon’s contributions extend beyond his investigative work.

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-In 2023, he recently completed an extensive research project that led to the approval of a Louisiana Historical Marker on a significant property. After submitting a detailed application with supporting evidence to the Louisiana Office of Tourism, his proposal underwent rigorous review by the LSU Department of History before being approved by the Louisiana Tourism Development Center on August 16, 2023.

 

Skills, Certifications, and Innovations

Brandon’s skill set is as diverse as it is specialized. He is a licensed unmanned aircraft pilot with the FAA, bringing a unique aerial perspective to his investigations. As an expert in Open Source Intelligence, he holds an Open-Source Certification, which demonstrates his proficiency in several key areas:

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- Investigating Businesses: Brandon excels in collecting, analyzing, and reporting on organizational information using publicly available data and breach data to identify and mitigate risks.

- Investigating People: He is adept at collecting and analyzing personally identifiable information through public data and social media platforms.

- Network Data and Infrastructure Analysis: Brandon has the skills to discover and analyze information about domains, IP addresses, certificates, and networks.

- OSINT Methodology: His work reflects a thorough understanding of Open Source Intelligence, enabling him to execute fact-based investigations supported by detailed documentation.

- Privacy and Operational Security Fundamentals: Brandon is proficient in identifying confidentiality and integrity risks during OSINT investigations and implementing best practices to minimize exposure and vulnerability.

- Data Collection and Processing: He effectively uses search engines and simple automation to collect, process, and analyze data and metadata of varying sizes and formats.

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Brandon’s innovative mindset is evident in his recent development of a GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) designed to assist with extracting data from PDFs. This tool performs a wide range of tasks, from detailed content analysis and metadata extraction to image analysis and PDF encryption, demonstrating Brandon’s commitment to leveraging technology to enhance his investigative capabilities.

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Awards and Recognitions

In recognition of his contributions to the field, Brandon was recently honored with the Open Source Rising Star Award from the OSMOSIS Institute, a prestigious accolade that underscores his expertise and impact in the world of private investigation.

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Published Works and Media Contributions

Brandon is also a prolific writer, having authored two books:

- Stop Human Trafficking: Sex Trafficking Terms & Acronyms for Cyber Investigations (Independent, Amazon KDP, October 30, 2023)

- Southwest Louisiana Process Service: How to Become a Process Server (Independent, Amazon KDP, April 18, 2023)

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In addition to his books, Brandon has written over 200 educational articles on investigations and process serving, contributing to respected industry publications such as Pursuit Magazine and PINow. His writings provide valuable insights into OSINT techniques and other investigative methods, helping to educate and inform fellow professionals.

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Community Involvement

Brandon’s commitment to his community is a cornerstone of his work. He organizes annual community cleanups in Elton, LA, demonstrating his dedication to maintaining the beauty and cleanliness of his hometown. The most recent cleanup, held on April 27, 2024, resulted in the collection of 23 bags of trash. At Southwest Louisiana Process Service, Brandon goes above and beyond to support his neighbors, particularly the elderly, by offering free access to printing, scanning, and faxing services. Recognizing that many residents lack the equipment or knowledge to handle these tasks, Brandon’s gesture of providing these services is a vital lifeline for those who need assistance with important documents.

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Professional Affiliations and Leadership Roles

Brandon is actively involved in the broader investigative community. He currently serves on the Membership Board of the OSMOSIS Institute, where he plays a key role in planning conferences and generating ideas for attracting new members. His leadership and participation in these activities reflect his commitment to advancing the field of private investigation and supporting fellow professionals.

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Personal Philosophy and Motivation

Creativity is the driving force behind Brandon’s work. He thrives on the challenge of turning ideas into reality, whether through innovative investigations or building a successful business from the ground up. Brandon also adheres to the "Grey Man" philosophy—blending seamlessly into any environment and mastering the art of social engineering. This approach not only enhances his effectiveness as an investigator but also reflects his broader philosophy of adaptability and resilience in the face of challenges.