Chicago Field Division
Photo used under Creative Commons from Wikimedia user buphoff
Welcome to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Chicago Field Division. Our Division is responsible for ATF criminal enforcement and industry regulatory activities in the State of Illinois. Our dedicated work force is comprised of special agents, investigators, auditors, technicians and support staff.
ATF is committed to reducing violent crime in our neighborhoods. ATF’s Chicago Field Division special agents combat firearms violence by focusing their investigative efforts on armed violent offenders, career criminals, gun traffickers and gangs. We also work in partnership with other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies throughout Illinois to accomplish this mission.
Explosives and arson enforcement is an integral part of ATF’s overall violent crime reduction strategy. ATF’s Chicago Field Division special agents combat arson and explosives-related crimes by conducting independent investigations and by working in partnership with local and state fire investigators and police bomb squads.
ATF also has the duty of regulating the firearms and explosives industries. Our industry operations investigators work to ensure that all firearms and explosives are stored, handled and sold in a safe manner according to law.
We encourage all residents to get involved and assist us in our goal of reducing crime in our communities. Give us a call and let us know what we can do for you. Our phone number is (312) 846-7200.
Andrew Traver
Division Management Team
Andrew Traver
Special Agent In Charge (SAC)
Dana K. Nichols
Assistant Special Agent In Charge (ASAC)
James Allison
Assistant Special Agent In Charge (ASAC)
Michael Fitzgerald
Director of Industry Operations (DIO)
Thomas Ahern
Public Information Officer (PIO)
Division Contact Information
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Chicago Field Division
525 West Van Buren Street, Suite 600
Chicago, Illinois
60607
USA
Voice (312) 846-7200
Fax (312) 846-7201
Receive Chicago Press Release Updates
Sparta Man Sentenced to 36 Months Imprisonment for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Previously Convicted Felon
January 3, 2012
Today, Alvin Young, 31, of Sparta, Ill., received a sentence of 36 months imprisonment from
the United States District Court in East St. Louis for possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced. The district court also ordered Young to pay a fine of $200, serve a term of three (3) years of supervised release, and pay a special assessment of $100 to the court.More »
East St. Louis Man Sentenced to Fifteen Years in Prison for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
December 16, 2011
Aaron Hull, 46, of East St. Louis, IL, was sentenced today in United States District Court, East St. Louis, for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Previously Convicted Felon and Unlawful Possession of a Ammunition by a Previously Convicted Felon, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Hull was sentenced to 180 months' imprisonment and 3 years’ supervised release to follow imprisonment, on each count, the sentences to run concurrently, a $200 fine and a $200 special assessment. Hull has been in custody since his arrest on March 21, 2011.More »
Two Men Indicted in Series of Alleged Armed Robberies in 2010
December 5, 2011
CHICAGO – Two Chicago men are scheduled to be arraigned on Dec. 13 on federal charges relating to series of at least eight alleged armed robberies of retail stores and businesses in Chicago and Aurora in the fall of 2010. The defendants, Juan Sanchez, also known as Cesar Sanchez,
and Carlos Ochoa, were charged in an 18-count indictment that was returned by a federal grand jury last month, Patrick J. Fitzgerald, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Andrew L Traver, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced today.More »
Aurora Man Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison for 2009 Shooting Spree While Illegally Possessing a Firearm
November 10, 2011
CHICAGO – An Aurora man who went on a shooting spree in late 2009, threatening the lives of rival gang members and innocent bystanders alike while firing his gun indiscriminately on residential streets, at family homes and at moving vehicles, was sentenced today to 40 years in federal prison. The defendant, Michael Taylor, 31, whose last address was in the 1700 block of Molitor Road in Aurora, was sentenced after he was convicted at trial in June of this year of illegally possessing a firearm while having a previous felony conviction.More »
Bradley, Ill. Man to Serve 2 ½ Years in Prison for Possession of Machinegun, Unregistered Firearms
November 7, 2011
Urbana, Ill. — A Kankakee, Ill., man, Gerald L. Carney, Jr., has been sentenced to serve 30 months (2 years, 6 months) in federal prison for gun offenses. Carney, of Bradley, Ill., was sentenced on Nov. 1, and was ordered to report on Dec. 7, 2012, to the federal Bureau of Prisons to begin serving his prison sentence. Chief U.S. District Judge Michael P. McCuskey also ordered that Carney serve three years supervised release upon completion of his prison sentence.More »
Two Dozen Members and Associates of Belizean Bloods Street Gang Facing Federal Narcotics and Passport Fraud Charges
November 3, 2011
CHICAGO — A federal investigation of alleged passport fraud and narcotics trafficking by members and associates of the Belizean Bloods street gang operating in Evanston and Chicago has resulted in charges against two dozen defendants, most of whom were arrested here this week, law enforcement officials announced today. One defendant, Jerry Johnson, who allegedly directed the Belizean Bloods drug–trafficking organization in Chicago, was arrested yesterday in Salt Lake City and is facing federal charges in Chicago. Five other defendants were arrested, and three guns were seized, Tuesday afternoon in Lyons where they had gathered as part of an alleged conspiracy to rob what they believed was 50 kilograms of cocaine from a different drug organization but which, in fact, was a ruse in an undercover sting operation.More »
Kankakee Men Sentenced to Federal Prison Terms
October 17, 2011
Urbana, Ill. – On Friday, Oct. 14, 2011, Chief U.S. District Judge Michael P. McCuskey sentenced two Kankakee, Ill., men to prison terms in unrelated cases..More »
Kankakee Felon to Serve 42 ½ Years in Federal Prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Crack Cocaine, Possession of Machine Guns
October 6, 2011
Urbana, Ill. – A Kankakee, Ill., man, Jeffery Dickerson, 41, was sentenced today to serve 511 months (42 years, 7 months) in federal prison for drug and gun offenses. Following a threeday trial in June 2011, a jury found Dickerson guilty of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, possession of a firearm, including machine guns, in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon.More »
Five Men Arraigned on Gun Charges Involving Assault-Type Firearms
September 9, 2011
The United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced that the following five individuals were arraigned in federal district court in East St. Louis, today, on firearms charges alleged in an Indictment filed on September 8, 2011:More »
Rockford Man Convicted of Federal Fraud Charges
September 9, 2011
ROCKFORD — A Rockford, Ill., man who was the executive director of the Fountain of Life Improving the Community Academy and pastor of The Fountain of Life Church of God in Christ, was convicted today after a three–day jury trial on federal fraud charges. The defendant, Kenneth R. Dismuke, 50, was found guilty by a federal jury of four counts of bank fraud, three counts of bankruptcy fraud, and one count of mail fraud, following a trial that began Sept. 6 in U.S. District Court in Rockford.More »
City of Alton: Operation – Crackdown Redemption
August 31, 2011
Alton, Il – Alton Police Chief David Hayes will be holding a press conference on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at 11:00 AM at the Alton Law Enforcement Center located at 1700 E. Broadway, Alton, Illinois 62002 to announce the results of Operation Crack Redemption
.More »
Washington Park Man Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Possession of Ammunition by a Previously Convicted Felon
August 24, 2011
A Washington Park man, charged with being a convicted felon in possession of ammunition, pled guilty in the United States District Court in East St. Louis to that charge, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Demarrion L. Lockett, 24, was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 22, 2011, and is being held without bond pending disposition of his case.More »
Nine Alleged Members and Leader of Gaylords Faction in Addison Charged with Illegally Possessing or Selling Firearms
August 23, 2011
CHICAGO – Nine suburban and Wisconsin residents, including the alleged leader and members of the Almighty Gaylord Nation street gang faction in Addison were charged with federal firearms offenses for allegedly illegally possessing or selling an assortment of guns, federal and local law enforcement officials announced today. Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and local police ended an 18-month undercover investigation early today when they began arresting the defendants, who were charged in three separate criminal complaints filed yesterday and unsealed today in U.S. District Court in Chicago. Six additional defendants were arrested on state narcotics or gang charges.More »
Arrest By Wave Team Results in 115 Month Federal Sentence
August 22, 2011
Charles C. Christian, 29, of East St. Louis, received a 115 month federal sentence following his conviction for the offenses of possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of controlled substances, possession of marihuana, and possession of crack cocaine, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Following release from imprisonment, Christian will be on federal supervised release for three years. Christian has been in custody since November 17, 2010, following his arrest by the Working Against Violent Elements (WAVE) task force. A jury found him guilty of the charges on March 16, 2011.More »
ATF and U. S. Attorney Conduct Violent Crime Initiative Training For 20 Plus State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies
August 10, 2011
CHICAGO — An advanced training seminar for state and local law enforcement investigators from more than 20 agencies was held today announced Andrew L. Traver, Special Agent in Charge, Chicago Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); United States Attorney Stephen R. Wigginton, Southern District of Illinois; Assistant United States Attorney Dee Dee Durborow Southern District of Illinois; and Larry A. Washington, Resident Agent in Charge ATF Fairview Heights Field Office. The instruction was presented through classroom lectures and practical exercises.More »
Washington Park Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Armed Robbery
August 5, 2011
Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on August 5, 2011, Kenneth I. Little, 22, of Washington Park, IL, was sentenced in federal district court, in East St. Louis, to 144 months’ imprisonment, 3 years’ supervised release, a $300 special assessment, and a fine of $500, following his plea of guilty, on April 19, 2011, to an Indictment charging him with: Interference with Commerce by Violence, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence. The charges relate to an armed robbery of a customer at a Mobil gas station in Washington Park, IL. The robbery netted $1000 for the robbers. The sentencing judge also ordered restitution, as well as forfeiture of the firearm used to commit the robbery.More »
Algonquin Man Arrested on Federal Murder for Hire Charge
August 5, 2011
ROCKFORD — PATRICK J. FITZGERALD, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; ANDREW L. TRAVER, Special Agent–In–Charge of the Chicago Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives ("ATF"); and RUSSELL LAINE, Chief of the Algonquin Police Department, today made the following announcement:More »
Twenty–One Members of Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Arrested in Multiple States
July 12, 2011
St. Louis, MO — The United States Attorney’s Office announced the arrests of eighteen defendants in seven states on an indictment alleging a racketeering conspiracy. Three additional defendants were arrested on separate charges involving firearms violations. Five of the defendants are from the St. Louis area.More »
Eighteen Members of Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Arrested in Multiple States
July 12, 2011
St. Louis, MO — The United States Attorney’s Office announced the arrests of fifteen members of the Wheels of Soul Outlaw Motorcycle Gang in seven states on an indictment alleging a racketeering conspiracy. Three other gang members were arrested on separate charges involving firearms violations.More »
ATF Warns Consumers: Illegal Explosives Devices are not Fireworks
June 27, 2011
CHICAGO — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) wants consumers to celebrate safely this Fourth of July and be mindful that illegal explosives devices are not fireworks. Illegally manufacturing or the distribution of powerful fireworks not made for consumer use can result in tragedies.More »
Pulaski County Sheriff’s Deputy Charged with Official Misconduct, Obstructing Justice and Unlawful Sale of Firearms
June 9, 2011
Union County State’s Attorney, Tyler Edmonds, acting as Special Prosecutor in Pulaski County, announced today that twenty (20) felony counts have been filed against Tara M. Kern, a Pulaski County Sheriff’s Deputy, for providing firearms to a convicted felon.More »
Project Safe Neighborhood: Jury Convicts Kankakee Felon for Possession of Drugs, Firearm
June 8, 2011
Urbana, Ill. – This afternoon, a federal jury convicted Jeffery Dickerson, of Kankakee, Ill. The jury deliberated nearly two hours before finding Dickerson guilty of possession of crack cocaine, possession of a firearm, including a machine gun, in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon.More »
ATF Chicago Field Division Releases Mid–Year Significant Adjudicated Investigations
May 19, 2011
CHICAGO — Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Chicago Field Division Special Agent in Charge Andrew Traver released a list of the top investigations undertaken during the first half of fiscal year 2011. The Chicago Field Division encompasses the entire State of Illinois.More »
Latin Kings’ Leader, Augustin Zambrano, and Three Other High–Ranking Gang Members Convicted of RICO Conspiracy and Related Crimes in Federal Trial in Chicago
April 7, 2011
CHICAGO – A federal jury late yesterday convicted the highest-ranking nationwide leader and three other high-ranking leaders of the Latin Kings street gang of racketeering conspiracy (RICO) and all other charges against them involving narcotics trafficking and related violence that plagued numerous neighborhoods on the north, south and west sides of Chicago, announced U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald. More »
Chicago Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Illegal Possession of a Handgun
January 28, 2011
CHICAGO — A Chicago man was sentenced today to 15 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm after having been convicted of a felony offense, federal law enforcement officials announced. Jimmy Brown, 26, who last resided in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood in Chicago, received the mandatory minimum sentence for an armed career criminal in Federal Court. Brown, who faced a maximum of life in prison, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer, announced Patrick J. Fitzgerald, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.More »
McHenry County Man Charged with Federal Drug Trafficking Charges
January 19, 2011
ROCKFORD — PATRICK J. FITZGERALD, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, together with ANDREW L. TRAVER, Special Agent-In-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and KEITH NYGREN, McHenry County Sheriff, today announced:More »
Interstate Firearms Trafficker Sentenced
August 26, 2010
On Wednesday, Quawi Gates, 27, formerly of 2115 W. 71st St., Chicago, Ill., was sentenced to two 5-year sentences to be served consecutively for a total of 10 years in federal prison. Gates was sentenced for his role in a firearms trafficking scheme which resulted in the illegal interstate trafficking of firearms from Mississippi to Chicago, Illinois. Gates pleaded guilty to two counts of aiding and abetting another to cause a federal firearms dealer to keep false records in violation of Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 924 (a)(1)(A). More »
Three Arrested for Possession of Stolen Firearms
May 28, 2010
Special Agent in Charge Andrew L. Traver of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) announces the arrest of Eric Caldwell, a 34 year old Country Club Hills, Illinois resident, for the illegal possession of a firearm by a felon. Caldwell was arrested on May 24, 2010 in Hammond, Indiana. More »
Berwin Businessman Arrested on Federal Illegal Gambling and Tax Fraud Charges; Added as Eighth Defendant in New Indictment
March 2, 2010
A Chicago man who allegedly helped a criminal organization run its illegal gambling activities was arrested today on federal gambling and tax fraud charges, federal law enforcement officials announced. The defendant, Casey Szaflarski, acting through his Berwyn business, Amusements, Inc., was charged with conducting an illegal gambling business since 2002, along with two other men, among seven total, who were charged previously. More »
Project Safe Neighborhood: South Suburban Chicago Man Charged in Armed Robberies of Convenience Stores
February 19, 2010
An April 19, 2010 trial date was set this morning when John A. Widdowson, 33, of South Holland, Illinois, was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge David G. Bernthal in Urbana, Illinois. On Feb. 9, a grand jury returned a seven-count indictment charging Widdowson with three counts of interference of commerce by robbery in January 2010; three counts of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence; and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. More »
Undercover “ATF” Resale Shop in Rockford Attracted Illegal Sales of More Than 50 Firearms and Narcotics
February 11, 2010
By word of mouth, news began to spread around Rockford beginning in April 2009 that the managers of a new resale shop in the 1200 block of Broadway were willing to purchase firearms, stolen property and narcotics and, soon, business was brisk. During the next six months, the managers of “Tony Tones All Thangs Fine” purchased more than 50 firearms, including a dozen sawed-off shotguns, most of them allegedly sold illegally either by individuals who were previously convicted felons or by individuals who believed they were selling firearms to convicted felons. More »
Chicago Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Possession of a Handgun and Crack Cocaine
January 7, 2010
A Chicago man was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense and distribution of crack cocaine, federal law enforcement officials announced today. More »