David Shafer, TBCI

CEO/Chief Investigator

David Shafer began his career in the legal industry as a process server in 2008. As a process server, David learned valuable knowledge in the law, as it applies to the civil process and private investigations fields and specific aspects of the Texas Penal Code. He also acquired the invaluable skill of locating those who don’t want to be found. By 2011, he obtained his first individual PI license and went to work at Walton Security Protection. While working for Walton Security Protection, David learned the art of surveillance, being seen without being recognized, the importance of having a steady hand with a good camera, and the value of a well-written report. He also learned the importance of matching evidence with an offense’s elements and establishing solid working relationships with attorneys to help them better serve clients. This knowledge, experience, and learned skill makes him an asset to his clients.

Immediately after first becoming licensed, David began working criminal defense cases. One of David’s first cases involved a man accused of committing three separate counts of Aggravated Kidnapping and three separate counts of Aggravated Robbery, for a total of six separate charges. The District Attorney’s office sought a total sentence of 50 years for the defendant, who was already in his 40’s. David discovered the one piece of evidence that brought the entire case into question, resulting in the defendant receiving only five years of probation, which he successfully completed. Since then, David and his associates have discovered evidence exonerating the falsely accused in cases ranging from assault to murder, while aiding in the mitigation of cases against others. David’s record of success in criminal defense cases speaks for itself and has helped many criminal defense attorneys prevail.

Throughout the years, David also worked a lot of insurance fraud and has obtained evidence against persons engaging in insurance fraud, specifically worker’s compensation and auto accident/injury fraud. Examples of his work include an individual claiming neck and back pain, but was filmed lifting the gate to a landscaping trailer. A UPS worker claiming a spinal injury, but was filmed lifting a woman over his shoulder at a camping event. A gentleman filmed running a scrap hauling business while claiming injury from another employer. David’s ability and skill set to surveil has saved his clients a lot of money.

In 2014 David opened Shafer Investigations, and in 2020 changed the company name to Preferred Intelligence to best suit the clients we serve.

While the State of Texas requires 18 continuing education hours for Private Investigators every two years, David often well exceeds those requirements. Throughout his career, David has taken courses explicitly relating to the services we provide. Courses include “Grasping at Heels: Deception Detection,” Private Investigator Surveillance, Social Media Investigations, Defeating Deception in Interviews, Auto Insurance Investigations, Proving Innocence, and many more. 

Additionally, David is an active member of the Texas Association of Licensed Investigators, the Criminal Defense Investigations Training Council, the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, and the Collin County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.