He holds a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice and Criminology from Washington State University and has published numerous articles dealing with criminal law and procedure, trial and appellate courts, legal scholarship in the field of criminal justice, and terrorism. His current research focuses on issues concerning hate crime and terrorism legislation, as well as the immigrant-crime relationship, and contemporary issues relating to immigration law and policy. His work has appeared in Terrorism and Politics, Criminal Justice Review, Criminal Law Bulletin, Journal of Criminal Justice Education, and various law reviews.