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Ava A. Cooper-Davis
Special Agent in Charge
Washington Division

On March 1, 2009, Ms. Cooper-Davis reported as the Special Agent in Charge to the Washington Division. The Washington Division comprises the District of Columbia and the states of Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia. The division is covered by DEA offices in Washington, DC; Baltimore, Hagerstown, and Salisbury, MD; Richmond, Norfolk, Roanoke, Winchester, Bristol, and Hampton, VA; and Charleston, Wheeling, and Clarksburg, WV. The mission of the Washington Division is to consistently develop a diverse workforce of the highest integrity and ethical standards that proudly represents DEA. The Division’s commitment and efforts to combat drug trafficking and illegal drug use is conducted by targeting and dismantling the most significant criminal drug trafficking organizations for arrest, prosecution, and conviction.

On June 12, 2006, Ms. Cooper-Davis reported as Deputy Assistant Administrator in the Office of Special Intelligence. The Office of Special Intelligence produces intelligence products which provide field and Headquarters offices with the detailed and comprehensive analysis of international and national communication structures used by major drug trafficking organizations, as well as drug related financial and/or terrorist organizations, in the conduct of their illegal activities. This includes, primarily, support to ongoing investigations and identification of previously unknown communication networks used by traffickers and their related criminal enterprises.

Ms. Cooper-Davis was appointed to the Senior Executive Service as Deputy Assistant Administrator of the Office of Operations Management in August 2003. The Office of Operations Management (OM) supports the Chief of Operations in the management of enforcement operations worldwide. OM provides direct support to the field and headquarters elements regarding the following areas: operational procedures and policies; the Confidential Source System; budget formulation and execution; state and local programs; operational assessment and program review; staffing; position and funding allocation, liaison with federal agencies; and the asset forfeiture section and legal counsel.

Ms. Cooper-Davis began her career as a Special Agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration in February 1983 at the New York Division. She was then assigned to the Hammond Resident Office, Chicago Division, where she conducted complex multi-jurisdictional investigations. In 1987, she was reassigned to the New York Division and served in a variety of positions in the enforcement and intelligence groups.

From 1995 to 1998, Ms Cooper-Davis served as a Group Supervisor assigned to a new Heroin Initiative group at the New York Division. In this capacity she managed numerous Title III investigations involving Colombian and Dominican traffickers. In 1999, Mrs. Cooper-Davis was selected as the Unit Chief, Special Agent Assignments, Office of Human Resources at DEA Headquarters.

In August 2000, Ms. Cooper-Davis was selected to the position of Assistant Special Agent in Charge at the Special Operations Division. She was responsible for organizing and managing all administrative functions at SOD. In December 2002, Mrs. Cooper-Davis was selected as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge at the Washington Division where she served with distinction in leading various enforcement initiatives.

Ms. Cooper-Davis was born in Honduras, Central America. She is a graduate of John Jay College of Criminal Justice where she earned a BS in Criminal Justice and a Masters in Public Administration. She is married and has four daughters.