Special Agent (SA) Hartz began his law enforcement career in January 2001 as a Jailer at the Porter County Jail, in Valparaiso, Indiana. In August 2011, SA Hartz was hired as a Police Officer at the Porter County Sheriff's Department. SA Hartz attended the Northwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy where he successfully completed all training and was honored as the Class President and "Top Gun" award recipient.

SA Hartz worked at the Porter County Sheriff's Department until January 2011 and during his tenure there he worked as a Patrol Officer, a Detective, and a Patrol Supervisor holding the ranks of both Corporal and Sergeant. SA Hartz also spent nine years as a SWAT operator at the Porter County Sheriff's Department, ending his tenure as the Team Leader. SA Hartz also provided training to law enforcement officers in many topics including defensive tactics, use of force, new agent training, Taser, and specialty weapons.

In January 2011, SA Hartz attended and successfully completed the sixteen week DEA Academy. While at the DEA Academy, SA Hartz was also awarded the "Firearms Proficiency Award" for being the top shooter in his class.

SA Hartz began his career with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in the El Paso Division in 2011 as a Special Agent assigned to the Albuquerque District Office. Almost since his arrival in New Mexico, SA Hartz has been involved in investigations of the manufacture and distribution of synthetic cannabinoids. Specifically associated with synthetic cannabinoids investigations, SA Hartz has authored more than sixty-five affidavits in support of investigations resulting in the seizure of over six million dollars in assets. Most recently, SA Hartz concluded a 2014 synthetic cannabinoid investigation resulting in twenty arrests, 2 consensual T-III intercepts, the seizure of approximately 290 kilograms of synthetic cannabinoids, small amounts of a variety of illegal drugs, and asset seizures of approximately 1.84 million dollars.

In April 2014, SA Hartz successfully completed the three-week DEA Firearms Instructor School in Quantico, Virginia. Since that time, SA Hartz has taken part in the instruction in the firearms program for the DEA Albuquerque District Office. In November 2014, SA Hartz successfully completed a week long, State of New Mexico Certified, Instructor Development program.

SA Hartz is originally from Northwest Indiana, and holds a Bachelors of Science in Secondary Education from Indiana University Northwest in Gary, IN.