About Us

Ryan Hengl

Ryan C. Hengl’s journey began in his hometown of Yuma, Arizona. After graduating from Kofa High School, he pursued higher education at Northern Arizona University, obtaining his bachelor’s degree in 2001. Mr. Hengl’s passion for law led him to Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, where he earned his Juris Doctorate in 2005. Notably, he also secured a Certificate of Concentration in Business, Taxation, and Commercial Transactions during his time at Creighton.

Upon completing his law degree, Mr. Hengl returned to Yuma and successfully passed the Arizona State Bar Exam, becoming a licensed attorney in the state. He embarked on his legal career as an associate attorney with Shadle & Walsma, P.L.C., and later joined Byrne, Benesch & Villarreal, P.C. Here, he specialized in various areas, including business law, real estate, commercial transactions, contracts, litigation, and estate planning. In 2009, Mr. Hengl co-founded the law firm of Garcia, Hengl, Kinsey & Villarreal, P.L.C., alongside three other partners. During this period, he also achieved his California State Bar license, expanding his reach to serve clients in California, and subsequently obtained his license to practice in Texas. In 2014, with a vision to better serve his clients, Mr. Hengl established The Law Offices of Ryan C. Hengl, Esq., P.L.C., which later evolved into The Law Office of Ryan C. Hengl, P.L.C.

Over the years, Mr. Hengl has demonstrated unwavering loyalty and dedication to his clients, including Barry and Cissi Todd, whom he has represented as their personal and business attorney for nearly two decades. When Barry faced wrongful arrest, Mr. Hengl was the first to answer the call and has supported him ever since. Witnessing the injustices individuals can endure within the justice system, he developed a fervent passion for representing the wrongfully targeted, often providing legal assistance at little to no cost to nearly 1,000 indigent criminal defendants.

Beyond his legal accomplishments, Mr. Hengl has consistently given back to the Yuma community. Currently a member of Caballeros de Yuma and past President of the Yuma County Bar Association, he has also served as chairman for the Yuma Charter Review Committee and the Housing Authority of the City of Yuma. His dedication extends to various organizations, including his past role on the Board of Directors for Amberly’s Place and as President of the Yuma Orchestra Association.  He now serves in the roles of President and Director of the Defense Resources Foundation, Inc.

Barry Todd

Barry D. Todd is the CEO of Invicta Financial Group, a financial services firm that was founded in 2007, and the Chairman of the Board of Defense Resources Foundation, Inc. Prior to entering the financial services and non-profit industries, Barry served as a Ranger officer in the United States Army for 21 years. In 2001, he began his career in the financial industry as a Financial Advisor and District Advisor at First Command Financial Planning, Inc. Later on, he founded Invicta Financial Group in 2007 and has been successfully assisting clients ever since.

While in the military, Barry earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management from Troy State University, graduating Magna Cum Laude, and a Master of Science in Business Administration from William Carey University.

In February 2014, Barry and his wife faced a dangerous situation at LZ Bar and Grill in Yuma, Arizona, when an aggressive patron targeted them. Despite trying to avoid confrontation, Barry had to defend himself and his wife. The situation escalated, and Barry used his firearm in self-defense, resulting in the patron’s injury. Unfortunately, due to mishandling by the County Attorney, Barry faced legal troubles and significant personal and financial repercussions. After a long and costly process, the court finally vindicated him. As a result of this experience, Barry founded Defense Resources Foundation, Inc., to help support those wrongfully targeted by the Criminal Justice system.

Outside of work, Barry enjoys scuba diving, traveling, golfing, and motorcycle riding.

Cissi Todd

Raised in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia Todd, known by most as Cissi Todd, met and married Barry in 1985. Their family of two quickly became four as they were blessed with the birth of their children, son, Mason, in 1986 and their daughter, Chelsea, in 1988. Mason is a decorated combat veteran and Chelsea is currently serving in the US Army.

As Barry pursued his military career, Cissi, a working mom, raised their family in Fort Benning (now Fort Moore), GA, Fort Campbell, KY, and Camp Shelby, MS, before moving to Yuma, AZ in 2001. As an active member of the Family Support Group, Cissi received the 101^st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Eagle Service Award for selfless service to the 3/327 Family Support Group from 1995-1998. Most of her professional career was as an executive assistant in the manufacturing industry. However, in 1999, she began working in the legal profession until 2004 when she began working in the financial industry with Barry.

In 2007, Cissi began a long overdue educational journey during which she earned her dual Associate of Arts degree in Psychology/Sociology from Arizona Western College in May 2011. Attending Grand Canyon University, Cissi earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Christian studies in 2013. She currently facilitates a weekly bible study group for women and is a member of the Women’s Ministry leadership through her local church, Church for the City, in Yuma, AZ. She is also a member of the Board of Directors for Hearts Being Healed, Yuma Chapter, a Christ-centered ministry for women with trauma from domestic abuse.

Barry and Cissi have been blessed with two grandchildren, Addi (12) and Peyton (9) whom they love dearly.

Wayland Rawls

Meet Wayland R. Rawls – A Compassionate Advocate for Justice and Liberty

Wayland Rawls is a highly accomplished professional with a remarkable career in law enforcement spanning over 24 years. He serves as the Vice President for the Defense Resource Foundation, where he aims to leverage his extensive experience and academic qualifications to drive reform in the criminal justice system and assist those that have been wrongfully accused navigate a flawed system and successfully defend their rights.

Wayland’s passion for criminal justice reform was ignited at the young age of 18 when he found himself in a challenging situation in Houston, Texas. A warrant was issued for his arrest days after an incident where he had to defend himself. In a biased investigation, he was never questioned by investigators and was denied the opportunity to share his account of the incident, nor were all the witnesses interviewed. This deeply flawed experience with the criminal justice system sparked his determination to learn more about its inner workings and lead positive change.

Wayland pursued a degree in criminal justice at Sam Houston State University, where he excelled academically and demonstrated an unwavering commitment to understanding the complexities of the criminal justice system. In 1995, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, laying the foundation for his career in law enforcement.

Wayland completed the police academy and embarked on a distinguished career in law enforcement. His focus was not just on enforcing the law, but also on fostering positive relationships and partnerships with members of the community. Embracing the wisdom of Sir Robert Peel, who famously stated, “The ability of the police to perform their duties depends on public approval of police actions,” Wayland believed that building trust and understanding with the community was essential for effective law enforcement.

Throughout his 24-year career in law enforcement, Wayland continuously championed the values of fairness, accountability, and transparency within the criminal justice system. Throughout his extensive law enforcement career, Wayland Rawls has diligently served in every division of the department, gaining invaluable insights into the inner workings of various law enforcement functions. Wayland has a Master of Business Administration and is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Academy, 228th session and served the last 12 years of his career as the Assistant Chief of Police. His hands-on experience in multiple areas, ranging from patrol and investigations to specialized units, allows him to identify bias, incompetence and misconduct by police.

Wayland’s law enforcement career came to an unjust end when he was wrongfully accused of assault during a school fundraiser attended with friends and his wife. Wayland found himself having to defend his wife and himself after being struck in the face by an individual. The investigation that followed was marred by incompetence and negligence on the part of the Texas Rangers. Crucial aspects of the incident were left undocumented, witnesses were not located or interviewed, and even essential medical records were overlooked. This lack of thoroughness and diligence in verifying the complainant’s claims only added to the injustice of the situation.

Despite the glaring inconsistencies and questionable credibility of the complainant, Wayland endured an excruciatingly long 28-month wait to clear his name in court. Throughout this difficult period, he and his legal team tirelessly worked to expose the truth and bring to light the multiple lies told by the accuser during the investigation. Additionally, they discovered that the Texas Ranger handling the case had misrepresented witness statements, further compounding the injustice. The accuser’s lies were exposed, and Wayland proved his innocence in court, being found not-guilty, thus revealing the falsehoods that had tarnished his reputation and led to the end of his law enforcement career. This experience left an indelible mark on Wayland, further reinforcing his commitment to fighting for justice, fairness, and accountability within the criminal justice system.

Wayland’s personal encounters with the flaws of the justice system have deepened his resolve to advocate for criminal justice reform and ensure that no one else experiences the pain of an unjust accusation. His unwavering dedication to the truth, paired with his extensive experience and educational background, make him an asset to the Defense Resource Foundation.

Shannon Rawls

Shannon Spradlin Rawls

Shannon Spradlin Rawls wears multiple hats in life – a dedicated mother, a loving wife and a compassionate nurse. Her journey has been defined by a strong sense of empathy, relentless drive to make a positive impact on the lives of others and an unrelenting faith in Christ.

In 2001, Shannon proudly earned her degree from Texas A&M University, which marked the beginning of her fulfilling career in nursing. Her passion for healthcare and her innate ability to provide comfort and care have touched the hearts of numerous patients throughout her career.

Above all, Shannon treasures her role as a devoted mother, nurturing and guiding her two beloved boys with unwavering love and support. Her family has been the bedrock of her strength and purpose, empowering her to face life’s challenges with resilience and determination.

Shannon and her family’s life took an unexpected turn when her husband, a former assistant police chief found himself in a daunting situation after defending her at a social gathering. Faced with false accusations of assault, her husband’s integrity shone through as it became evident that he had acted in self-defense, protecting Shannon from harm.

The incident at the gathering also had a profound impact on Shannon, as she experienced firsthand the dark side of society, having been drugged with GHB at the same event which further confused the issue. Despite her explicitly claiming before the test was available that her amnesia that night was not due to alcohol, the Texas Ranger ignored her concerns and misrepresented her statement in his official report. This traumatic experience ignited a desire within her to advocate for personal safety and raise awareness about the importance of supporting those who have been victimized.

In recent years, Shannon’s passion for justice and community advocacy led her to take on a pivotal role as the secretary on the board of the Defense Resource Foundation, dedicated to helping individuals like her husband who have been wrongfully accused of crimes while defending themselves and/or others. Through this vital platform, Shannon actively contributes to supporting and advocating for those who find themselves facing unjust legal situations.

With a heart full of compassion, a relentless pursuit of justice, and an unwavering dedication to making a difference, Shannon Spradlin Rawls continues to leave an indelible mark on the lives of many. Her journey serves as an inspiring testament to the power and resilience and the profound impact one person can have the world.

Rhonda Neff

Originally hailing from Evanston, Wyoming, Rhonda Neff received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in lighting design and lighting technology from the University of Wyoming in 2003. After several years working in the lighting field, she relocated to Phoenix, Arizona to chase her ambition of becoming a lawyer. Ms. Neff enrolled in the Phoenix School of Law where she achieved her Juris Doctor degree, graduating in the top 3% of her class.

Throughout her time in law school, Ms. Neff served as an intern in the Office of the Governor Jan Brewer and the Office of the Arizona Solicitor General. She also contributed her skills to the City of Mesa Economic Development Department, where she aided in negotiating several developments. In her final semester of law school, she gained further practical experience through an internship at the law firm of Kimerer & Derrick, P.C.

After acquiring her law license, Ms. Neff was employed by Kimerer & Derrick, P.C., where she remained until 2020. In 2021, she took a significant step forward in her career and founded the Law Offices of Rhonda Neff, PLLC. Here, she practices almost exclusively in criminal defense and criminal appeals. With extensive experience in a wide array of criminal cases ranging from high-level felonies to petty misdemeanors and offenses, Ms. Neff is a dedicated advocate. She believes in the individuality of every client’s case and the unique challenges each presents. Ms. Neff prides herself on her client-focused approach.

Ms. Neff serves on the executive board of the Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice and has been a long-term member of its governing board. Additionally, she has contributed to the legislative and amicus committees. Ms. Neff is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Women in White Collar Criminal Defense Association. Since 2016, she has been recognized annually as a Super Lawyer Rising Star.

Ms. Neff is admitted to practice law in the State of Arizona, the State of Colorado (although currently inactive), the Federal District Court for the District of Arizona, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court of the United States.

Mike McLaughlin

With an esteemed reputation within the investigative field, Michael McLaughlin proudly stands as the President and founder of Advanced Investigative Services, LLC, based in Yuma, Arizona. His journey in this specialized sector began in 2013 when he became a Licensed Private Investigator in the state of Arizona. With a unique perspective that encompasses both sides of the legal spectrum, Mr. McLaughlin’s expertise in criminal investigations is unparalleled and thoroughly comprehensive.

Prior to setting up Advanced Investigative Services, Mr. McLaughlin carved out a distinguished career in the Casino industry as a Criminal Investigator. During his tenure, he led by example, not only directing investigations but also playing a pivotal role in shaping the skills of fellow investigators. His proficiency in surveillance and leadership earned him the position of head of the Surveillance Department, where he excelled and cemented his status as a highly respected professional.

Mr. McLaughlin’s professional network includes some of the most esteemed Attorneys, Investigators, and Forensic Experts both within Arizona and across the United States. He demonstrated his remarkable investigative acumen as an integral part of Barry Todd’s legal team, working tirelessly alongside Mr. Todd, his attorneys, and experts to establish Mr. Todd’s innocence.

A turning point in Mr. McLaughlin’s life came about when he himself was unjustly accused in a self-defense incident during his youth. This challenging incident not only altered his life trajectory but also ignited his passion for private investigation, fostering a profound understanding of the impact his work can have on people’s lives.

Outside the world of private investigation, Mr. McLaughlin showcases his entrepreneurial spirit as the owner of another small business. He believes in the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. As such, when he isn’t delving into the intricacies of investigations or managing his businesses, he enjoys indulging in recreational activities such as boating, swimming, and travelling, often in the company of his friends and family.