October 2, 2007

Jim Pendergraph selected as ICE's state and local coordinator
Newly created senior executive position to emphasize public safety cooperation and coordination

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Immigration and Customs Enforcement Julie L. Myers announced today the selection of Mecklenburg County Sheriff Jim I. Pendergraph as ICE's first Executive Director of state and local coordination.

In his new position, Pendergraph will serve as a member of the Federal Government's Senior Executive Service and will seek to establish and maintain a partnership as well as formal and informal channels of communication and information exchange between ICE, state and local governments and their respective law enforcement entities.

"To be successful in protecting national security and upholding public safety, we must partner effectively with the thousands of state and local law enforcement agencies across the nation. That is why I created this senior position," said Myers. "Sheriff Pendergraph brings a wealth of leadership skills, law enforcement knowledge and public safety experience to this newly created position."

Pendergraph was elected Mecklenburg Sheriff in 1994 and was serving his fourth elected term when he accepted the ICE position. As Sheriff, Pendergraph led more than 1,400 law enforcement and support staff with a budget of more than $100 million.

Under Pendergraph's leadership, Mecklenburg County was the first law enforcement entity on the East Coast to have officers certified for 287 g authority, allowing them limited immigration authorities resulting in the identification of nearly 3,000 criminal illegal aliens that were placed in removal proceedings.

Pendergraph's dedication to law enforcement began as a Military Police Officer in the U.S. Army before becoming a police officer with the Charlotte/Mecklenburg Police Department where he was employed for 23 years and rose to the rank of Deputy Chief.

Pendergraph received a degree in criminal justice from Central Piedmont Community College and attended the FBI National Academy, the FBI National Executive Institute; and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.

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