Finding truth through data
Validated4n6, LLC is a digital forensics consulting business and a trusted source of validated tools, techniques, and guidance for law enforcement professionals handling digital evidence, especially mobile devices.
Ricky E. Johnson Jr.
Major, Criminal Investigations Division, Richland County Sheriff's Department · FBI National Academy, Session 295
Ricky serves as the Major of the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) and oversees the Digital Forensics Unit at the Richland County Sheriff's Department in Columbia, SC. He has served the department since 2007 and has dedicated his work to the forensic acquisition and analysis of mobile devices since 2014.
Throughout his career, Ricky has earned multiple distinctions, including Narcotics Agent of the Year (2018), the B. Edward Campbell Service Award (2019), and the Top Forensic Examiner Award from the National Computer Forensics Institute (2023). He is a graduate of the 295th session of the FBI National Academy, the 141st Administrative Officers Course of the Southern Police Institute (SPI), and the inaugural cohort of the Excellence in Policing and Public Safety (EPPS) program at the University of South Carolina School of Law.
He has testified as an expert witness in mobile device and digital forensic analysis more than 10 times, nearly all in homicide investigations or other major crimes such as shootings and child abuse. He co-authored a peer review checklist for mobile forensics and presents to examiners, prosecutors, and attorneys on bringing digital evidence into the courtroom.
Serving since 2007
- 2024 – presentMajor, Criminal Investigations Division
Oversees 100+ investigators, supervisors, and civilian staff, including the department's full-time digital forensics unit.
- 2022Captain, Technical Services & Narcotics Units
Led advanced technical investigations and narcotics enforcement.
- 2019Lieutenant, Narcotics Unit Commander
Managed a team of specialized narcotics investigators.
- 2017Sergeant, Criminal Investigations Division
Supervised specialized investigators.
- 2013 – 2014DEA Task Force Officer & Investigator
Investigated local, state, and national drug trafficking organizations.
- 2007Patrol Deputy
Began his career with the Richland County Sheriff's Department after earning the SC Criminal Justice Academy Distinguished Graduate Award.
Forensic credentials
- GIAC Advanced Smartphone Forensics (GASF)GIAC / SANS, 2022 · Renewed 2026 · Verify on Credly ↗
- Cellebrite Advanced Smartphone Analysis (CASA)Cellebrite, 2021
- Cellebrite Certified Mobile Examiner (CCME)Cellebrite, 2016
- Cellebrite Certified Operator & Physical AnalystRecertified 2024
- Certified JTAG & BGA Chip-off ExaminerTeel Tech, 2017
- GrayKey Certified OperatorGrayshift, 2023
- Advanced Mobile Device Forensics (AMDF)IACIS, 2025
- SANS FOR585: Smartphone Forensic AnalysisSANS Institute, 2022
Plus more than 60 courses from Hexordia, NW3C, NCFI, Cyber5W, HIDTA, and others, covering SQLite, plists, Android, SIM cards, file systems, device repair, and testimony.
Teaching what the data shows
- 2026“From Pocket to Proof: Mobile Forensics in the Courtroom”
South Carolina Bar Convention, January 2026; Office of the South Carolina Attorney General, VAWA Programs, February 2026
- 2023“Peering Behind the Curtain of Mobile Forensics: A Practical Approach to Peer Review”
with Jessica Hyde. Magnet Virtual Summit, February 2023; Techno Security & Mobile Forensics Investigations Conference, June 2023
- 2022Peer Review Checklist: Mobile Forensics
Co-authored with Jessica Hyde and published by Hexordia; peer reviewed by Alexis Brignoni and Trevor Holt. Covers scope and authority, acquisition and parsing tool validation, and analysis of unsupported apps, geolocation, and timestamps. Read the article ↗ · Checklist PDF ↗
- 2022 – presentExpert witness testimony
Testified as an expert in mobile device and digital forensic analysis in more than 10 South Carolina criminal trials, nearly all homicides or other major crimes such as shootings and child abuse.
Digital forensics: a crime-solving game-changer
Who's On The Move, February 2026
A look at how the Richland County Sheriff's Department's in-house digital forensics unit, led by Major Johnson, contributes to a 100% homicide solve rate since 2023, along with missing-person, burglary, and financial crime cases. The unit processes 20 to 25 phones a week.
Read the full article ↗“Criminals will lie. The data does not.”
Ricky Johnson, in Who's On The Move
- B.A., Criminal Justice, magna cum laude
University of South Carolina, 2006 - FBI National Academy, Session 295
University of Virginia graduate courses, 2025 - Southern Police Institute, Honor Graduate
University of Louisville, 141st Administrative Officers Course, 2019 - Excellence in Policing & Public Safety (EPPS), inaugural cohort
University of South Carolina School of Law, 2023–2024
- Top Forensic Examiner
National Computer Forensics Institute (U.S. Secret Service), 2023 - Dean Scholar Award and B. Edward Campbell Service Award
Southern Police Institute, 2019 - Narcotics Agent of the Year, 2018; Sheriff's Merit Award, 2017
Richland County Sheriff's Department
- GIAC Advisory Board, SANS Institute
- Magnet Forensics Customer Advisory Board
- IACIS · HTCIA · IACP
- FBI National Academy Associates (FBINAA)
- South Carolina Cyber Fraud Task Force
Need a full CV or a speaker bio?
A complete CV, including testimony history and training records, is available on request.