Board Certified Criminal Defense Investigator
Serving All of Central Florida
Our Story
With a team of highly trained, board-certified private investigators, the team at Eric Z, Private Eye delivers unparalleled professionalism and expertise in providing top-notch investigative services. Former members of law enforcement and military personnel make up our team, all whom retired in good standing with their respective agencies, and who's credibility in the industry is second to none.
With a strong foundation in gang intelligence and DTO investigations, our team brings unparalleled insight into organized criminal activities, aiding in robust defense strategies.
We are proud to be Board Certified as Criminal Defense Investigators through the Criminal Defense Investigation Training Counsel and Board Certified in Forensic Death Investigations through the Association for Forensic Investigations.
Our Investigators undergo 20 hours of continuing education every year in Forensics, Crime Scene Investigation, Homicide Investigations as well as Criminal Defense and Legal Topics in order to stay up to date on changes in the investigation industry.
When justice seems far away, first call your attorney then Better Call Eric!
Our
Services
Eric Z, Private Eye harnesses deep investigative expertise and state-of-the-art technology to deliver reliable solutions for complex cases in both the private and public sectors. Our clients range from wrongfully accused individuals and prestigious law firms to celebrities and influencers, local and state government agencies, and foreign consulates—proof that we can tackle any challenge. Because every investigation is unique, we offer a complimentary consultation to understand your needs and confirm we’re the right team for you.
Criminal defense investigations are at the core of what we do. With decades of experience in public safety operations and criminal casework, Eric Z, Private Eye brings specialized expertise in gang activity, drug trafficking organizations (DTOs), crime scene analysis, and law enforcement use of force. Our team has worked hundreds of felony cases since 2011—many involving organized criminal enterprises and violent gang-related allegations. We understand how prosecutors build their cases because we've spent years dissecting their methods from the inside out. Our investigators meticulously analyze every facet of your client’s case—from the physical evidence to the gang enhancement allegations—to protect due process and help you build a compelling defense. As a registered Due Process Vendor with the Justice Administrative Commission and the Criminal Justice Act (Federal), we’re trusted to support court-appointed and private counsel alike. In addition to field investigations, we offer Expert Witness services in Gang/STG analysis, Use of Force, and Crime Scene Reconstruction. We’re also proud partners of The Innocence Clinic at the University of Miami, providing Post-Conviction Investigation services for cases requiring deep review and fresh eyes.
Criminal Defense Investigations
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Expert Witness
Our team provides expert witness services with a sharp focus on criminal enterprise, gang activity, and drug trafficking organization (DTO) dynamics. We specialize in Gang and Security Threat Group (STG) analysis, offering courts, attorneys, and jurors clear insight into affiliations, hierarchy, symbolism, and behavioral patterns of organized groups—both inside correctional institutions and on the street. We also offer Crime Scene Reconstruction to clarify timelines and interpret physical evidence with accuracy. Our Use of Force experts assess incidents against applicable law, department policy, and training standards. Additionally, our certified Drug Recognition Experts (DREs) provide authoritative evaluations on drug impairment and related behaviors. With deep field experience and a commitment to objective, defensible analysis, we deliver trusted expertise for both prosecution and defense teams.
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Equivocal Death Investigations are our specialty: we conduct end-to-end, court-ready inquiries into deaths that may initially look straightforward but often hide critical uncertainties. Drawing on extensive experience in forensic death reconstruction, gang and DTO intelligence, and major-case homicide work, we meticulously document the recovery scene, integrate autopsy and laboratory data, analyze victimology and behavioral history, and reconstruct timelines to differentiate medical “cause” from legal “manner” of death. This multidisciplinary approach uncovers hidden evidence—whether a staged suicide, a misclassified accident, or a wrongful death—so you get definitive answers and clear pathways for defense or closure. Contact us today to put our proven investigative rigor to work on your case.
Equivocal Death Investigations
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Intelligence & Forensics
Our team delivers tailored intelligence and investigative services for clients of all sizes—including individuals, corporations, and government entities at the federal, state, or international level. Whether you need comprehensive due diligence for new investments or partnerships, proactive counterintelligence and risk management, or on-the-ground support overseas, we’ve got you covered. Our technical capabilities span forensic examinations of digital devices (cell phones, tablets, and other electronics) using DATAPILOT; precision accident and crime-scene reconstruction with FARO laser-scanning; and vehicle Event Data Recorder (EDR) acquisition. With deep subject-matter expertise and cutting-edge tools, we provide the insights you need to stay ahead. Contact us today.
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Whether you have a Criminal Witness Subpoena, Subpoena for a Deposition or other non enforceable court document that needs to be served, or, require notary services, Eric Z, Private Eye is here. We are licensed and bonded for Notary Services in the State of Florida, and are authorized to serve process for Criminal and Civil cases within Central Florida. Reach out to us today for more information.
Process Service & Notary Services
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Crime Scene Reconstruction
Our team has decades of experience with reviewing the physical aspects of a crime in concert with the sequence of events. By reconstructing a crime scene, we may assist to determine what could and could not have happened in the commission of a crime. Crime scene reconstruction considers any and all evidence recovered, the physical layout of the space and ties in other forensic disciplines such as toxicology, bloodstain pattern analysis, firearms testing, gunshot residue testing and DNA. When two items or substances come together, they behave and interact in ways that tell a story (Locard’s Principle) that experienced forensic criminalistics experts can read. Our scientists are here to analyze your evidence, visit the crime scene if needed, write reports, provide comprehensive case review, consultation, and expert testimony.
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Traffic Homicide Reconstruction
Serious Bodily Injury Reconstruction
Meet The Team
Chief Investigator
Eric Zelaya
Board Certified Criminal Defense Investigator
Board Certified Forensic Death Investigator
Gang & DTO Expert Witness
Eric Zelaya is a Board Certified Criminal Defense Investigator and Forensic Death Investigator with over a decade of specialized expertise in gang and drug trafficking organization (DTO) investigations. He began his career as a Corrections Officer on the Florida Department of Corrections’ C-Shift Gang Squad, conducting undercover and contraband-trafficking probes that defined his rigorous, forensic-driven approach. Licensed as a Private Investigator since 2011, Eric then spent four years as a Major Case Investigator in a leading insurance Special Investigations Unit, unearthing complex organized fraud schemes.
A sought-after gang consultant for WKMG News Channel 6 and defense teams across Central Florida, Eric also contributes his investigative skills to the Cold Case Foundation, aiding in cold homicides, missing persons, and serial assault inquiries. He holds credentials in Criminal Psychology, Criminology, Medico-legal Death Investigation, and Gang & Narcotics Investigation, combining hands-on enforcement experience with advanced forensic analysis to deliver thorough, courtroom-ready investigations.
Case Studies
Through our case studies, we hope to portray various examples of past successes in all kinds of cases, large and small.
Cases are also a great way for prospective clients to learn more about the way our Private Investigation Firm operates. Zelaya & Associates, Private Investigators go the extra mile to make sure our clients are completely satisfied with what we provide.
Leadership, Not Liability
In a case against a high-ranking gang member facing both murder and armed robbery charges, our team tapped into its deep knowledge of gang command structures, signaling protocols, and inter-cell communications. By meticulously analyzing cell-site data, surveillance footage, and insider testimony, we demonstrated that—despite his leadership role—our client neither ordered nor could have reasonably foreseen the fatal shooting. Armed with that gang-specific insight, defense counsel leveraged the evidence to negotiate a plea agreement, securing a term well under 15 years instead of a potential life sentence.
Stand Your Ground Win
In a high-stakes gang-related shooting—pitting two rival factions against one another—our client was initially charged with First Degree Murder and faced a mandatory life sentence. From the moment our team was appointed, we leveraged our deep expertise in gang culture and dynamics—deciphering territorial markings, hand-signaling protocols, and known gang attack patterns—while executing a state-of-the-art 3D forensic reconstruction and animation of the scene. By marrying this specialized gang intelligence with precise ballistic trajectory analysis, we were able to demonstrate conclusively that our client discharged his weapon only in response to an immediate, life-threatening assault. That reconstruction formed the backbone of a Stand Your Ground motion, which the court granted in full, conferring immunity from the homicide charge. Thanks to our team’s gang-savvy forensics and strategic litigation, our client has been vindicated and is free today under lawful self-defense.
Violent Crime Defense
A high-profile triple homicide case in which the defendant was alleged to be the leader of a criminal street gang. Though formally charged with three counts of first-degree murder, the prosecution's theory relied heavily on gang leadership, affiliation, and enterprise-style behavior. Eric Z conducted in-depth analysis of gang dynamics, internal communications, and alleged affiliations—providing investigative support that challenged key assumptions about the defendant’s role and undermined elements of the state's gang enhancement narrative.
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Contact Us
3625 FL 419, Suite 210
Winter Springs, FL 32708
Monday
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
By Appointment Only
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