United States Drug Enforcement Administration

Towanda R. Thorne-James was assigned in September 2025 to serve as the 16th Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) New Jersey Field Division with oversight for the State of New Jersey. 

SAC Towanda R. Thorne-James began her law enforcement career in 1993 as a Police Officer with the Philadelphia Police Department and in 1998, joined the DEA. 

SAC Thorne-James is a twenty-seven-year veteran of the DEA who has served diverse assignments to include multi-agency international investigations and local impact initiatives in domestic offices. Previously, SAC Thorne-James served as the SAC of the DEA El Paso Division from September 2023 thru March 2025, which oversees fifty counties in two states, Texas and New Mexico, covering a total of 159,284 square miles. In March of 2025, SAC Thorne-James became the Director of El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC) which offers tactical, operational and strategic intelligence support to Federal, State, local, tribal, and international law enforcement organizations.

In addition to the above, SAC Thorne-James has served the DEA in the New Orleans Division, DEA Headquarters Office of Inspections, located in Arlington VA, the Belmopan Country Office (Central America), the Atlantic City Resident Office, the Camden Resident Office, the Newark Division, and the Philadelphia Division. Her previous managerial roles have included Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Resident Agent in Charge, Group Supervisor, Acting Country Attaché, and Senior Inspector. 

SAC Thorne-James is highly decorated and throughout her career has been the recipient of numerous national and DEA awards, to include the esteemed DEA Administrators Award of Valor, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association National Bravery Award, Women in Federal Law Enforcement Julie Y. Cross Award of Valor, and the International Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association Medal of Valor, to name a few. 

SAC Thorne-James earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Administration of Justice from the Pennsylvania State University, a Master’s Degree in Human Resources & Training Development from Seton Hall University, and a Ph.D. in Public Policy & Administration, with a specialization in Criminal Justice from Walden University.