A star-studded evening at the National Law Enforcement Museum on Monday, May 31 celebrated some of the finest in public safety who work in digital investigations. Guests walked the orange carpet at the first-ever Cellebrite awards show, which kicked off the Company’s inaugural C2C (Case-to-Closure) User Summit 2025.  

The Cellebrite Digital Justice Awards’ Master of Ceremonies was Matt Goeckel, who masterfully set the tone for an evening dedicated to honoring the unsung heroes of digital investigations. Closed out by Cellebrite’s CEO Tom Hogan, who applauded the work of the professionals nominated and awarded. The event celebrates those who tirelessly protect the most vulnerable in society through their meticulous work with digital evidence. The program highlighted the unique challenges faced by the professionals, their unwavering dedication and the critical role they play in modern investigations.  

The Awards Process 

When submissions started rolling in in 2024, it was an honor for the Cellebrite team to read through each and every entry. Almost equal to that honor was the challenge to anonymize the nominations, solicit votes and break many a tie. To say anyone was more deserving than the rest was no easy task, and the team did their best. The decision was not easy –nearly impossible, and in some cases the submissions were in fact impossible to delineate with one category having multiple winners. 

And the Winner Is… 

Rising Star Award: Amy Laabs – Lakewood, CO Police Department  

It takes serious dedication to work in digital forensics and to get it right. This award recognizes outstanding newcomers in the field of digital forensics within law enforcement. Nominees for this award are making notable contributions to investigations, have a quick grasp of technical skills and a commitment to learning and professional development. This award celebrates individuals who, despite being in the early stages of their career, are demonstrating significant potential and a promising future in the field of digital forensics. We had a few nominees for this… but one really stood out for her dedication. Laabs was touted for her willingness to go above and beyond to support colleagues. Always ready to step in and assist when needed, a reliable team player who does it all with kindness, wit, calm and no complaint regardless of other duties. 

Voice for the Voiceless: This award acknowledges cases or individuals who have given a voice to survivors through digital forensics, with an emphasis on how these efforts have brought closure and peace to communities and families. It was a three-way tie!  

Raymond Coles – Ocean County Persecutor’s Office (New Jersey): Mr. Coles demonstrated the determination it takes to be an investigator. When a man was brutally killed in a stabbing — police had a suspect, but little evidence. He also claimed to have been 15 miles away when the crime took place. It took several attempts to access the suspect’s phone, and when it was unlocked – the data inside connected all of the pieces and eventuallly led police to the murder weapon. 

John Jones – Clark County Sheriff’s Office (Arkansas) – Mr. Jones demonstrated the persistence and innovation needed to advocate for our most vulnerable. Once case spanned over 25 years with more than 30 victims – some of them children – in homemade videos. Thanks to the work of Jones, the suspect was sentenced to 39 life sentences. 

Stephen Nowatkowski – Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office (New Jersey) – Mr. Nowatkowski utilized his skills, training and Cellebrite solutions to dig deeper in a case, finding key digital evidence on a child’s device which led to a federal indictment of the perpetrator — saving survivors and potentially many more victims from further harm. 

Mentor of the Year: Heather Charpentier – New York State Police 

Having a mentor in digital forensics can make all the difference. Finding the right person to help guide you is what matters and is a key reason Cellebrite created The 101- our Cellebrite User Community. The award highlights mentors who have guided their mentees not only in technical skills but also in understanding and serving the community’s needs, fostering the next generation of community-focused digital forensic professionals. Heather created a supportive and positive learning environment for others in the field as they share their knowledge and leadership, paving the way for those who follow in their footsteps. 

Design Partner of the Year: Jarrod Scott – Ohio Attorney General’s Office 

The feedback we get from the Cellebrite Design Partner program is what helps drive improvements to our solutions. It’s crucial to have engaged, thoughtful and innovative partners during the beta testing and early access phase. This award highlights professionals who push the boundaries of digital forensics capabilities and are thought leaders within the Design Partner community. Simply put, this partnership helps make our products better and helps further the missions of our users. Thank you, Jarrod! 

Digital Bridge Builder of the Year: Sean Taylor – Columbus Police 

The Digital Bridge Builder recognizes outstanding initiatives and the individuals who have used digital tools to connect or support multiple law enforcement agencies. These actions foster collaboration, understanding and mutual support to solve cases that crosses geographic boundaries. Taylor’s dedication to innovation led him to champion automation tools, including Cellebrite Inseyets, that significantly reduced case processing times and improved investigative accuracy. With a hands-on approach and relentless drive, this person has not only advanced digital forensics within his department but has also shared his expertise with agencies nationwide, shaping the future of modern investigations. 

Community Guardian: Glenn Devitt – Stop Soldier Suicide 

Protecting communities is a shared responsibility. From education to crime prevention or other efforts to help improve the community, this award recognizes the innovative way digital forensics can make a positive, proactive impact. Devitt is the Chief Technology Officer at Stop Soldier Suicide, a team with the mission of reducing the veteran suicide rate 40% by 2030. One of the methods to achieve that goal is the Black Box Project, which Devitt founded. The Black Box Project is an innovative way to use technology to prevent and predict suicidal trends between veterans.  

With the consent of their families, the Black Box Project temporarily takes the digital devices of those who have died by suicide. Information is then extracted using Cellebrite solutions and examined to help experts identify crisis situations. Cellebrite is proud to partner with Stop Soldier Suicide and the Black Box Project in the mission to save the lives of heroes who have already given so much. 

Excellence in Digital Forensics: Donna Montague – Gainesville Police Department 

This award recognizes outstanding professionals who excel at digital forensics resulting in a major impact to the community. In addition to Donna’s exceptional work in examinations and investigations, showcasing a keen ability to gather, analyze and validate evidence. In addition, the nominees are evaluated based on their leadership qualities, ethical conduct and contributions to the overall improvement of investigative processes.  This award recognizes individuals who consistently go above and beyond to achieve outstanding results. 

Adept at solving puzzles, Donna is the lead ICAC investigator at the Gainesville Police Department. Known for leaving no stone unturned, Donna prides herself on tracking down every lead to make sure she has the right person and can further the investigation.  

Case of the Year: David “Britt” Dove – South Carolina Law Enforcement Division 
 
This award honors an exceptional and impactful investigation within law enforcement that was solved with the help of digital evidence. The winning case demonstrates outstanding investigative prowess, innovation in problem-solving and significant contributions to solving complex challenges. The award also considers effective collaboration within the investigative team, ethical conduct and the ability to overcome unique obstacles. The “Case of the Year” celebrates the dedication and excellence displayed in a particular investigation that stands out as exemplary in its significance and outcome. There was no stronger case than Britt Dove’s investigational prowess in the Murdaugh Murders.

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