United States Drug Enforcement Administration

ST. LOUIS– Steven L. Hofer was appointed Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) St. Louis Field Division, marking a return to the Division in which he began his 22-year career with the agency. SAC Hofer will oversee operations across 10 DEA offices in Kansas, Missouri and Southern Illinois.

"I am honored to return to the St. Louis Field Division as the Special Agent in Charge," SAC Hofer said. "This division helped shape my career and I am humbled by the opportunity to lead the exceptional men and women who serve our communities every day. I believe our greatest strength is our people and the partnerships we build with our fellow law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, community leaders and the public. Together, we will relentlessly pursue criminal organizations that profit from addiction and violence. We will foster a culture of integrity, accountability, service and teamwork. By investing in our people and working side-by-side with our partners, we will continue making Missouri, Kansas and Southern Illinois safer for the communities we are privileged to serve."

SAC Hofer joined the DEA in 2004 after serving more than 10 years as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army. During his military service, he commanded a company in Ramadi, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his leadership and service.

After entering the DEA, SAC Hofer served in several investigative and leadership assignments throughout the St. Louis Field Division, including the Violent Traffickers Task Force. In 2016, he was promoted to group supervisor in Springfield, Missouri, where he led a multi-agency enforcement group focused on dismantling violent drug trafficking organizations and gangs operating throughout southwest Missouri.

In 2020, SAC Hofer was selected for an executive assignment at DEA Headquarters, where he helped coordinate nationwide enforcement initiatives targeting pharmaceutical opioid manufacturers and distributors. He was promoted to Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Baton Rouge District Office in 2022 and oversaw enforcement operations throughout Louisiana. Two years later, he was promoted to SAC of the New Orleans Field Division, where he led more than 600 employees across Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Under his leadership, the division expanded partnerships with federal, state, local and international law enforcement agencies while advancing DEA's efforts to dismantle major drug trafficking organizations and protect communities from the threat of illicit drugs.

As SAC of the St. Louis Field Division, SAC Hofer will direct enforcement, intelligence, diversion and administrative operations while strengthening collaboration with federal, state, local and international partners. In alignment with DEA Administrator Terry Cole's North Star priorities, SAC Hofer is committed to aggressively targeting the most dangerous drug cartels, disrupting the flow of fentanyl and other deadly drugs, reducing violent crime, strengthening partnerships and investing in the people who carry out DEA's mission every day.

SAC Hofer earned a bachelor’s degree in business marketing with a minor in military science from Missouri Western State University and a master’s degree in criminology and criminal justice from the University of Missouri–St. Louis.

SAC Hofer succeeds Michael Davis as DEA St. Louis Field Division Special Agent in Charge.

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