Purdue University Northwest cybersecurity students earn unique digital evidence analysis experience with local law enforcement
Nine PNW cybersecurity students were sworn in as interns for the 2026-27 academic year to serve with the Lake County High Tech Crime Unit.
Nine PNW cybersecurity students were sworn in as interns for the 2026-27 academic year to serve with the Lake County High Tech Crime Unit.
Nine Purdue University Northwest (PNW) students from the PNW College of Technology were sworn in by the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office as interns for the office’s High-Tech Crime Unit (HTCU) for the 2026-27 academic year.
The selected and recognized student interns include Julian Arceo, senior Cybersecurity major; Jaelysa Bracey, senior Computer Information Technology and Cybersecurity double major; Ryan DeBoer, senior Cybersecurity major; Nicole Floyd, senior Computer Information Technology and Cybersecurity double major; Paige Gora, senior Cybersecurity major; Michael Hathaway, senior Computer Information Technology and Cybersecurity double major; Ivan Mittelberger, senior Cybersecurity major; Antonio Soto, senior Cybersecurity major; and Taylor Thompson, Applied Artificial Intelligence master’s student.
The student interns will work under the guidance of prosecutor’s office supervisors and law enforcement agencies in learning digital forensic analysis for cell phones, computers, surveillance systems and other digital devices. The Lake County HTCU, housed in the Gyte Building on the PNW Hammond campus, supports local law enforcement offices in the processing and analysis of digital evidence gathered through criminal investigations. The HTCU is led by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Edgar Rodriguez of the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office.
This internship is designed to challenge not only the technical skills students have developed at PNW, but also their ability to think and work like investigators.
“This internship is designed to challenge not only the technical skills students have developed at PNW, but also their ability to think and work like investigators,” said Brant Mendenhall, a limited term lecturer of Computer Information Technology. Mendenhall assists Rodriguez in the HTCU and is a sworn digital forensic investigator for the Indiana State Excise Police.
The opportunity reflects the PNW College of Technology’s commitment to students’ experiential learning, industry and community partnerships, and preparing students to reach their career goals.
“The students will have to evaluate evidence, recognize potentially important information, solve problems and apply their technical knowledge within the context of real criminal investigations,” said Mendenhall. “Those who were selected demonstrated and articulated not only strong technical skills, but also the ability to think creatively and approach situations with an investigative mindset.”
“Technology has become an increasingly important part of investigating and prosecuting criminal cases,” Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter said. Carter administered oaths to the PNW student interns.
“This partnership gives students valuable, real-world experience while allowing them to use their knowledge and skills in service to the people of Lake County. Because the work they perform can become part of an investigation and ultimately assist our prosecutors in the courtroom, the responsibility they are accepting is significant.”