About us
Joseph Alercia II
JD./F.A.C.F.E./C.M.I./C.I.I./P.I.
American Detective Agency, Founder and CEO “Joe Alercia II,” oversees each and every case and will return your calls! Our private investigators and associates come from federal, state, and local law enforcement, intelligence agencies, insurance industry and from the private sector. Cases are assigned to investigators with expertise, background, and training, in the type of case being investigated.
Confidential Private Investigations.
WHEN YOU NEED TO KNOW
“THE TRUTH”
Since 1975 ,we have proven our worth, helping thousands of clients including numerous celebrities, solve their business, personal, and professional problems. We are providing quality, cost-effective investigative services.
Consultations are always welcomed at no cost.
EDUCATION
Graduate
Easton Area High School
William Penn Highway
Easton, PA 18042
HIGHER EDUCATION
EXTENSION COURSES
- 1968-1970 LaSalle Extension University
Chicago, Illinois
Bachelor of Law
Studied common law - 1969-1975 Detective Apprentice
- 1970-1972 Institute of Applied Sciences
Diploma
Scientific Crime Detection (fingerprints, police photography, firearms ID, ID of handwriting, typewriting, Modus operandi) - 1971-1972 Universal Detectives
Universal City, CA
Diploma
Investigation training - 1972-1973 North American Institute of Police Science
Chicago, Illinois
Diploma
Investigation and Police Science - 1973-1975 Brantridge Forest School
Highfield, Dane Hall, Haywards Heath
Sussex RH177Ex, England
Doctorate of Psychology Extension Degree - 1974-1975 Universal Schools
Little Falls, NJ
Diploma
Legal Investigation - 1975-1976 American Police Academy
Washington, D.C.
Certificate of Instruction, Arson Investigation - 1975-1976 International Detective Training School
Diploma
Detective Training - 1978-1979 Paralegal Institute
Phoenix, AZ
Research of Federal and State Laws. The study of litigation and trial practice. - 1979-1980 Police Science Institute
Newport Beach, CA
Diploma
General Law enforcement. Course in police training. - 1985-1987 Graduate, Newspaper Institute of America
A writing course specializing in fiction writing and basic concepts of newspaper writing - 1990-1991 Diploma, Forensic handwriting examination
- 1995 Practical Homicide Seminar Certificate
MILITARY HISTORY
- United States Marine Corps, 1959-1963 (Active), 1963-1965 (Inactive reserve status), Honorable Discharge
- Past Commandant Marine Corps League, Northampton County, PA
- Marine Corps League, Northampton County, PA – Distinguished Service Award
CERTIFICATIONS
- National Panel of Consumer Arbitrators, certified Arbitrator for Better Business Bureau. Preside over hearings presented to the Better Business Bureau. Empowered to make monetary and other judgments. Senior arbitrator status.
- Act 235, Pennsylvania Lethal Weapons training certified by the Pennsylvania State Police.
- Diplomat, Board Certified Forensic Examiner, certified by the American Board of Forensic Examiners.
- Board Certified Criminal Defense Investigator
- Advisory Board of the Criminal Defense Investigation Council
- Certified by the American Law Enforcement Trainers Association, as a trainer
- Commissioned as a Notary Public by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- Certified Master Investigator (National Investigation Academy)
- Attended various seminars with relation to the investigative realm.
- Qualified under Federal Rule 702 as an expert witness in the investigative realm.
- Certified Instructor, Georgia State Board of Private Detectives and Security Agencies
- Certified by the American College of Forensic Examiners, as a Certified Forensic Consultant.
BUSINESS OWNED
- American Detective Agency, Pennsylvania – Founded 1975
- Sentry Detective Agency, New Jersey – Founded 1976
- American Detection Systems, Pennsylvania – Founded 1983
- Lion Investigation Academy, Pennsylvania – Founded 1974
- M&J Investigation, New York City – Founded 1980
- Lehigh Valley Protective Services, Pennsylvania – Founded 1992
- American Detective Agency, Nebraska – Founded 1995
- American Detective Agency, Massachusetts – Founded 2000
LICENSES
- Licensed by the Pennsylvania Board of Private Licensed Schools, Pennsylvania Department of Education, to conduct an Investigation Academy empowered to confer an Associate in Specialized Technology degree.
- Licensed as a Private Investigator in the state of Pennsylvania.
- Licensed as a Private Investigator in the state of New Jersey.
- Licensed as a Private Investigator in the state of New York.
- Licensed as a Private Investigator in the state of Nebraska.
- Licensed as a Private Investigator in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
- Licensed as a Private Investigator in the country of Brazil.
- Licensed as a Private Investigator in the District of Columbia.
- Licensed as a Private Investigator in the State of North Carolina.
- Licensed to carry weapons in Pennsylvania (Act 235 Auspices Pennsylvania State Police).
- Licensed to carry weapons in New Jersey (Licensed by New Jersey State Police).
- Licensed in the State of North Carolina, 2009.
MEMBERSHIPS
- International Police Congress, Regional Director, Washington, D.C. based.
- Professional Security Officer International, member and contributing editor to Professional Security Officer International.
- Middle Eastern Police Chiefs Association of Pennsylvania.
- Marine Corps League, Northampton County Past Commandant.
- Academy of Security Educators and Trainers.
- National Association of Legal Investigators.
- Newspaper Institute of America.
- International Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association.
- Association of licensed Detectives of New York State.
- American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers.
- Pennsylvania Two-Year College Association.
AWARDS
- Certificate of Achievement in Criminal Investigation. The American Law Enforcement Association.
- Award Membership in the International Academy of Criminology.
- 1980 named Who’s Who in American Law Enforcement, placed in the Library of Congress and to each state Library for historical and educational purposes.
- John Edgar Hoover Memorial Gold Medal for distinguished public service.
- Marine Corps League Distinguished Service Award.
- 1998 was chosen out of 50,000 Investigators throughout the United States, one of the top 50 PI’s by PI Magazine, the leader in Private Investigative trade journals.
- 1998 awarded the Certified Master Investigator Designation, a recognition of establish knowledge relevant to the Investigative profession. Certified by the National Investigation Academy.
- 1998 The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, The House of Representatives awarded a Citation honoring Joseph Alercia II as the founder of Lion Investigation Academy. Also honoring Joseph Alercia II for his dedicated pursuit of peace and justice in our constantly changing society. Sponsored by the Honorable Lisa M. Boscola, and attested to by Matthew Ryan, Speaker of the House and Ted Mazia, Chief Clerk of the House.
- June 1997, Marine Corps League, Department of Pennsylvania, Dedicated Service Award, 25 years, Northampton County Detachment.
MISCELLANOUS
- 1987-1989 Produced, directed and hosted a live radio talk show with regards to the Private Detective realm. Radio Station WEEX, Easton, Pa.
- 1995 Participated in filming an episode of Unsolved Mysteries with regards to a previous case that I had completed.
- 1996-2001 Produced, directed and hosted a live radio talk show regarding the various services offered by the investigator in the private sector and the professional conduct of those engaged therein. Radio Station WGPA in Bethlehem, Pa.