Story by Reggie Hayes | Photography by Jeffrey Crane (BA ’97)
As a felony investigator with the Allen County Public Defender’s Office, Matthew Anjorin (BA ’19) must convince defendants that he has their best interests in mind. They need to know he cares.
His compassionate nature usually doesn’t take long to shine through.
“I’ve always been interested in helping others, whether I was going to be a police officer or a detective or maybe FBI—I like helping,” Anjorin said.
A typical day for Anjorin includes interviews with defendants—sometimes at the Allen County Jail, sometimes in an office—where he compiles information about their case, learning their version of events. He then shares that knowledge with their court-appointed attorney. Most defendants, Anjorin says, desire a route onto the right path, despite the choices or situation that led to felony charges.
“Gaining trust with them is hard, but it’s the most important part of the whole process,” Anjorin said. “They’re a complete stranger talking to another complete stranger, hoping you can do something for their case. I learn their background and get to know who they are and work with them to resolve the case in their best interests.”
Yes, he encounters some dangerous offenders, but many people Anjorin serves genuinely seek a positive way forward. He especially enjoys helping those hampered by substance abuse issues.
“Every single one of them, especially in the drug cases, cares about someone or something in their lives and they want to get back to it—their kids, their grandkids, brothers, sisters, girlfriends, spouses, livelihood,” he said. “We try to see what we can do to help.”
Anjorin arrived at the University of Saint Francis with an unwavering focus on pursuing a degree in criminal justice and criminology. He played basketball for the Cougars and worked at the Jorgensen Family YMCA, developing a love of teaching and leading children. He continues to guide young people as the eighth grade basketball coach at Summit Middle School. He met his wife Madeline at Saint Francis, and they have a toddler son, Julius.
Anjorin’s concern for others, while cultivated at Saint Francis, became ingrained long before he enrolled. He grew up in Valparaiso, Indiana, one of six children of Kam and Christiana Anjorin. He was the third son, born after David and Michael, and has younger sisters Princess, Mary and Damilola. All six siblings earned degrees or are still attending college.
The expectation of high academic achievement was a given in his family.
“I was the only one who wanted to become a lawyer or pursue criminal justice,” Anjorin said. “There was more of a focus on becoming a doctor. But, even though I have to see autopsy photos now, I’m not into all that medical stuff. I did not watch ‘Grey’s Anatomy.’ That stuff grosses me out.”
Anjorin’s undergraduate work at Saint Francis reinforced his commitment to criminal justice and helping others. He was a member of the program’s first graduating class and interned with the Allen County Public Defender’s Office as a senior.
“Matthew was a joy to have in the classroom,” Director of Criminal Justice and Criminology Heather Jeffries said. “It was a pleasure to watch him excel academically and to see what he is accomplishing and the wonderful man he has become.”
Anjorin always tries to be present in every situation, whether at work, at home with his wife and son or out in the community.
“I try to look out for other people,” Anjorin said. “I see it so much where people are just in their own world, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but that’s not how I view the world when I wake up. I try to think two steps ahead—I’ll be walking downtown and watching to make sure someone doesn’t step out in front of a car turning left. I’ll think, ‘How fast can I sprint up to help get them out of the way?’ Being aware of other people is very big in my life.”
Anjorin’s outward-focused nature allows him to empathize with defendants he interviews. He attempts to guide them into the best possible outcome.
“You’re just talking to another person who needs help and using your limited powers to do what you can,” he said. “I’ve seen some of our clients out of jail, clean, holding down a job, and that’s one of the best feelings—to know they’re doing well.”