Special Agent Maria Thomas assumed the duties of Acting Deputy Director, Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division (Army CID) in August 2025. She serves as the Department of the Army’s independent criminal investigative authority, free of actual or perceived undue command influence, reporting directly to the Under Secretary of the Army. She oversees directorates which provide global support in the conduct of significant criminal investigations, protective service operations, forensics, and investigative support to military commissions. She maintains executive liaison with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, and is responsible for training, personnel readiness, maintenance, and logistical support for no-notice deployment for Army, Joint, and combined contingency operations worldwide.
In March 2025, Special Agent Thomas became the Assistant Director Field Operations and is charged with overseeing all field operations for Army CID. This includes direct oversight of all the Special Agents in Charge within the organization; overseeing the development of personnel and the operational posture and responsiveness of the Field Offices; and ensuring the standardization of processes, documentation, internal and external partnerships and engagements across the organization.
Special Agent Thomas has 23 years of federal law enforcement experience. Her former leadership positions include Special Agent in Charge of Central Texas Field Office, Army CID (2022-2025); Assistant Director of the Human Resources Directorate, NCIS Headquarters (2020-2022); NCIS Ombudsman, NCIS Headquarters (2018-2020); Division Chief of Program Management for the Criminal Directorate, NCIS Headquarters (2017-2018); and Supervisory Special Agent NCIS Resident Agency Portsmouth, Virginia (2012-2017).
Special Agent Thomas began her career with NCIS in July 2002. Prior to that she served in the United States Navy as an enlisted service member for seven years.
Special Agent Thomas earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice, a Master of Arts in Education, and a Master of Human Relations. She has received numerous awards, including the Meritorious Civilian Service Medal, the Outstanding Federal Law Enforcement Employee Award by the Women in Federal Law Enforcement, the Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation, a Meritorious Group Commendation, two Navy Civilian Meritorious Service Awards, the NCIS Expeditionary Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Medal.