Theresa L. Hilton
Director
Theresa L. Hilton is the Director of the Division of Criminal Justice. Hilton also supervises the DCJ Human Trafficking and Victim-Centered Crimes Bureau, Major Threats Bureau, Bias Bureau, and Environmental Crimes Bureau. Director Hilton is also responsible for developing trauma-informed strategies for the eradication of domestic violence and sexual assault across New Jersey. Recently, Hilton served as the Acting Mercer County Prosecutor from August to December 2024.
Before joining DCJ in September 2022, Hilton spent seven years as an assistant prosecutor with the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, with her last assignment as the supervisor of the Domestic Violence Unit. In this role, Hilton oversaw a ten-person team of prosecutors, detectives, and advocates working to hold offenders accountable and support victims and their families. Hilton began her career as an active duty assistant staff judge advocate of the United States Air Force, where she was involved in the investigation and prosecution of multiple sexual assault allegations, among other responsibilities. She is currently a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force Reserve.
Director Hilton received her B.A. in Mathematics from Hamilton College, New York, in 2003 and her J.D. from the University of California, College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly University of California Hastings College of the Law) in 2007.
Weldon A. Powell
Chief of Detectives
Weldon A. Powell, Chief of Detectives
Weldon A. Powell is the Chief of Detectives of the Division of Criminal Justice. Chief Powell joined the Division of Criminal Justice (“the Division”) in August of 1998. During his twenty-six years with the Division, Chief Powell served on the Attorney General’s Shooting Response Team and the High Risk Entry Team. Prior to assuming his role as Chief, he served as the Deputy Chief of the Specialized Crimes Bureau, where he managed 6 criminal investigative units which included: Environmental Crimes, Bias Crimes, Labor Fraud, Casino Prosecutions, Motor Vehicle Crimes, and the Atlantic City Violent Crime Task Force.
Chief Powell maintains supervision of 200 detectives assigned to all Division Offices, Bureaus, and Units who conduct investigations into criminal activity within the twenty-one counties of the State of New Jersey. Chief Powell is responsible for the oversight of officer involved shootings and death in custody investigations, as well as ensuring compliance with Attorney General Directives and Guidelines, ranging from police professional standards to bias incident investigative standards. Chief Powell actively participates in community events, providing education to the public about bias incident reporting and police community relations.
Chief Powell graduated from the Philadelphia College of Textiles & Science with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Administration.