Ismael Nevarez Jr.
IRS:CI News:
Ismael Nevarez Jr., who has been the Special Agent in Charge of the Phoenix Field Office overseeing New Mexico and Arizona since July 2015, is retiring from Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation after 26 years of government service.
“It has been an honor and a privilege serving as the Special Agent in Charge of IRS: CI for Arizona and New Mexico,” Nevarez said. “Throughout my career in public service, I have focused on ensuring fairness in the U.S. tax system, investigating money launderers, and delivering justice to victims of fraud schemes. The hard work and dedication of IRS:CI employees and collaboration with local, state and other Federal law enforcement agencies enabled me to protect the residents of New Mexico and Arizona from financial harm.”
Nevarez’s retirement takes effect Monday, May 31. A permanent replacement will be named at a future date.
“On behalf of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, I extend our gratitude to Ismael Nevarez Jr. for his leadership here in Arizona over the last six years,” Acting U.S. Attorney Glenn McCormick said. “We rely on the investigative efforts of our law enforcement partners to bring successful prosecutions. SAC Nevarez has led IRS CI with distinction in that regard. He has dedicated over twenty-five years to serving our country as an IRS investigator, and we wish him all the best in retirement.”
“I want to thank Special Agent in Charge Nevarez for his leadership in building and maintaining a strong partnership with our office,” Acting U.S. Attorney Fred J. Federici of the District of New Mexico said. “Across multiple districts, he has been a persistent guardian of our nation’s resources. On behalf of the District of New Mexico, we congratulate SAC Nevarez on a well-earned retirement.”
Before being appointed the head of IRS: CI operations in New Mexico and Arizona, Nevarez served as Director of Narcotics and Counterterrorism (NCT). As Director of NCT, he spearheaded the modernization of CI’s Narcotics program, formulation of a Counter-terrorism Strategy, and creation of CI’s Transnational Organized Crime (TOC) program.
In addition, CI’s contributions to National Security matters were increased via the design and implementation of collaborative projects with U.S. and International partners. As Director of NCT, he oversaw resources that CI has assigned to ONDCP, OCDETF, EPIC, Fusion Center, SOD, Defense Department, and the National Joint Terrorism Task Force.
Nevarez began his career with IRS-CI in 1995 when hired as an IRS Special Agent in Laguna Niguel, CA. As a criminal investigator, he conducted a wide array of financial investigations involving tax evasion and money laundering crimes. As a Special Agent, he was assigned to the U.S. Embassies in Bogota, Colombia and Mexico City where he was responsible for coordinating international investigative actions in Central and South America.
Nevarez began his IRS management career in 2005 when assigned as a Supervisory Special Agent in Phoenix, Ariz. In July 2009, he was assigned to Headquarters in Washington, D.C. where he was responsible for overseeing CI’s anti money laundering program. In his first senior leadership role, he was Assistant Special Agent in Charge of CI’s Tampa Field Office responsible for overseeing criminal investigations and operation throughout central and northern Florida.
Nevarez received a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from DeVry University and a master’s degree in Management from the Catholic University of America.
