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AUGUST 10, 2025
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"From
Federal Drug Prosecutor to Wildlife Photographer" |
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with
Monte Stiles |
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FULL TWO HOURS 
HOUR 1 
HOUR 2
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About our Guest
Monte Stiles |
Monte Stiles
served his entire professional legal career of
29 years as a state and federal prosecutor. For
24 years, Monte was an Assistant United States
Attorney for the District of Idaho where he
supervised the Organized Crime/Drug Enforcement
Task Force – a group of agents and prosecutors
who investigated and prosecuted high-level drug
trafficking organizations which included Los
Angeles street gangs, methamphetamine
manufacturers, marijuana growers on public
lands, and multi-national drug cartels. During a
decade-long investigation of international drug
smuggling and money laundering, Monte worked
closely with foreign, federal, state, and local
law enforcement agencies in the pursuit of
evidence and witnesses in Hong Kong, Thailand,
Fiji, Australia, Canada, and various locations
in Europe. Because of the nature of his
caseload, Monte was also a sworn Special Deputy
United States Marshall for most of his career.
In 1995, Monte served as Special Counsel to the
Director of the Executive Office for U.S.
Attorneys in Washington D.C. where his primary
assignments involved domestic terrorism, violent
crime, juvenile justice, and narcotics.
As a result of his expertise, Monte has been an
instructor for the National Advocacy Center in
Columbia, South Carolina, numerous state and
regional law enforcement conferences, and five
international organized crime seminars where he
taught prosecutors, judges, and police officers
from the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Poland,
Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Slovakia, Bulgaria,
Romania, Montenegro, and Croatia.
Throughout his career, Monte has been recognized
by various groups for his role in drug
prosecutions, drug education, and other
community service, including: (1989) U.S.
Treasury Department award in “recognition of
dedication and commitment to the effective
enforcement of criminal statutes relating to
financial crimes”; (1990) Idaho Department of
Law Enforcement Director’s Award for
“exceptional contributions to Idaho’s drug
enforcement efforts”; (1995) United States
Department of Justice award for volunteer
service in the community; (1996) U.S. Attorney
General’s Award for Litigation; (1997) Boise
River Festival “Pride of Boise” Humanitarian
award; (1998) Organized Crime/Drug Enforcement
Task Force award for “outstanding efforts
contributing to the attainment of the highest
standards of cooperative law enforcement and
justice in the United States of America”; (1999)
Organized Crime/Drug Enforcement Task Force
award for “outstanding support, leadership and
dedication to the OCDETF Program”; (2001)
Association of Idaho Cities Boyd A. Martin award
“in recognition of exceptional contributions
benefitting city governments in Idaho”; the
“Seven’s Heroes” award presented by KTVB (NBC’s
affiliate television station in Idaho); (2007)
recognition from Drug Free Idaho for work in
drug prevention and education; (2009) National
Organized Crime/Drug Enforcement Task Force
award for Operation Northern Passage; (2011)
Idaho State Bar Professionalism Award for
“outstanding cooperation, respect, diligence,
candor and competence in the practice of law";
(2016) Idaho Prevention person of the year at
the Idaho Conference on Alcohol and Drug
Dependency, and (2021) Chief’s Award for
distinguished service and outstanding efforts on
behalf of the South Carolina Law Enforcement
Division through advocacy and drug education.
During his law enforcement career, Monte was
also a passionate drug educator and motivational
speaker for schools, businesses, churches, law
enforcement agencies, prevention groups, and
other youth and parent organizations. One of his
proudest personal and career achievements was
the organization and implementation of the
statewide "Enough is Enough” anti-drug campaign
which produced community coalitions in every
area of Idaho.
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In 2011, after
realizing that decades of experience provided
him with a unique opportunity to prevent much of
the pain inflicted upon children, families, and
communities because of substance abuse, Monte
left government service in order to devote all
of his time to teaching. He is now a frequent
keynote speaker and trainer at national,
regional, and state conferences relating to drug
policy, law enforcement, youth leadership, drug
prevention, corporate training, and maintaining
safe communities. He is particularly focused on
national policies that impact youth substance
abuse. His two most-requested keynote addresses
are entitled “Rediscovering Joy” and “Why
Education Works.” Both are designed to provide
powerful and unique messages of hope and
inspiration.
Monte’s speaking style combines real-life
experiences as a federal drug prosecutor and his
love of the outdoors. After life-long exposure
to the darkest aspects of society, and the
realization that these experiences affected his
ability to appreciate some of life’s simplest
pleasures, a growing interest in nature and
wildlife photography led to his rediscovery of
everything that is wonderful in life -- a world
full of amazing people, beautiful landscapes,
fascinating creatures, and boundless
opportunities and adventures. At the end of
every presentation, Monte uses his images to
illustrate the dramatic difference that choices
bring – either the darkness of a toxic and
dangerous drug culture or a life filled with
beauty, joy, children, families, friendships,
safe communities, and healthy brains and bodies.
In addition to his presentations, Monte’s images
have been featured on the cover of numerous
magazines and articles about the great outdoors.
Monte received his bachelor’s degree from
Brigham Young University and graduated from J.
Reuben Clark Law School in 1982. In his personal
life, Monte served for ten years as a
commissioner on the Boise Parks and Recreation
Board; as a Scoutmaster, Varsity Scout Advisor,
and Explorer Post advisor for the Boy Scouts of
America; a board member of the Boys and Girls
Clubs of America; a board member of Drug Free
Idaho; a board member of Drug Watch
International; an associate editor of The
Marijuana Report; and an adjunct professor in
the Criminal Justice Department of Boise State
University.
In addition to speaking, Monte serves as a
consultant for community drug coalitions, youth
organizations, law enforcement agencies, and
corporations. Monte and his wife Sandi live in
Boise, Idaho. They are the proud parents of five
children and fourteen grandchildren.
For more information about Monte’s
presentations, please see Stiles Presentations
2025. |
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