X-Feds Investigative Group is a Private Investigation firm based in Franklin, North Carolina. Formed in 2023, X-Feds’ mission is to provide professional private investigation services to western North Carolina. Owners, Brian Southard and Rick Devore are licensed North Carolina Private Investigators and retired federal agents with more than 62 years of combined investigative experience. X-Feds is committed to gathering, documenting, and providing detailed investigative findings for every client.
X-Feds Investigative Group provides the client with detailed, honest, timely and reliable information, in a manner which upholds the firm’s standards of Professionalism, Integrity, and Service. Whether you need evidence of infidelity, help with gaining custody of your child, or someone to help you in a criminal or civil defense, X-Feds sets the standard in providing the evidence you need to reach a desired outcome.
X-Feds work hand in hand with defense and family law attorneys across western North Carolina to ensure we are gathering the evidence needed for you to win your case. X-Feds also established working relationships with many local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, which can often be beneficial in their investigations.
Brian Southard
Brian retired from the U.S. Forest Service after 29 years of service. During his career, Southard served as a uniformed Law Enforcement Officer, Special Agent, and as an Assistant Special Agent in Charge. Southard successfully prosecuted numerous felony cases through the United States District Court and never lost a case. Southard possesses a special skill set in criminal and civil investigations, surveillance, interviewing, report writing, and the use of technical investigative equipment. Southard served as an undercover operative in both short- and long-term federal investigations. Southard also served as an expert witness in federal court. Southard was involved in several high-profile cases including, Serial Killer Gary Hilton, Serial Bomber Eric Rudolph, and numerous large scale illegal drug and wildlife investigations. As an Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Southard supervised all criminal investigations in the 13 southeastern United States and Puerto Rico. During his career, Southard received many regional and national level awards and commendations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Justice, the state of North Carolina, the state of Tennessee, and the state of Georgia.
Rick Devore
Rick retired from the U.S. Forest Service after 33 years as a uniformed Law Enforcement Officer. Prior to working for the Forest Service, Devore served as a patrol officer with the Murphy Police Department, Waynesville Police Department, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Swain County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tennessee Valley Authority. During his career, Devore investigated numerous criminal and civil cases and gained successful prosecutions in U.S. District Court. Devore is skilled in covert surveillance, interviewing, the use of technical investigative equipment, and report writing. While serving as a Forest Service LEO, Devore was responsible for enforcing state and federal laws on approximately 250,000 acres of the Nantahala National Forest in western North Carolina. Devore was also relied on to respond nationwide for his investigative skills pertaining to wildfire arson and counter drug operations.