Columbus Field Division
Welcome to the ATF Columbus Field Division. The Columbus Field Division serves the third largest population base of any of the 25 ATF field divisions in the country, encompassing Ohio and Indiana (with the exception of eight Southern Indiana counties). The division office is located in Columbus, Ohio; criminal enforcement field offices and industry operations area offices are located in cities throughout Ohio and Indiana.
Criminal enforcement offices are staffed by special agents and industry operations area offices are staffed by industry operations investigators (IOI), both are supported by administrative personnel. Division resources include ATF explosives detection canines and their special agent handlers; special agent certified fire investigators (CFI), experts in fire investigation and cause and origin; special agent certified explosives specialists; explosives enforcement officers; division counsel; and forensic auditors.
Special agents initiate firearms investigations to combat firearms-related violence, firearms trafficking, armed drug trafficking, and gang violence. Special agents investigate explosives and arson incidents, thefts of explosives, and enforce laws designed to prevent illegal diversion schemes involving alcohol and tobacco products. Strong partnerships with state and local law enforcement agencies include state and local officers who are assigned to some ATF field offices’ task force initiatives, which are designed to combat violent crime.
IOIs review the operations and premises of federal firearms and explosives licensees who are regulated by ATF such as dealers, importers, exporters, and manufacturers. This includes enforcement of the Safe Explosives Act of 2002, which mandates a field inspection on all original and renewable applications pertaining to explosives.
We encourage all members of the community to help us in reducing violent crime in their communities. Call ATF at (614) 827-8400 or email us at ColumbusDiv@atf.gov and let us know what we can do for you.
Christopher P. Sadowski
Division Management Team
- Christopher P. Sadowski
- Special Agent In Charge (SAC)
- Brandt A. Schenken
- Assistant Special Agent In Charge (ASAC)
- Wayne L. Dixie, Jr.
- Assistant Special Agent In Charge (ASAC)
- Marcia Lambert
- Director of Industry Operations (DIO)
- Kimberly K. Riddell
- Public Information Officer (PIO)
Division Contact Information
Receive Columbus Press Release Updates
Evansville Man Sentenced for Arson and Conspiracy to Commit Arson
August 19, 2010
Travis C. Adams, 28, of Evansville, Indiana, was sentenced to 18 months in a community corrections work release facility and 3 years of supervised release late yesterday by U.S. District Chief Judge Richard L. Young following his guilty plea to arson fraud and conspiracy to commit arson More »
Ravenna Man Arrested by ATF Task Force
August 17, 2010
Frank Mosier (age 24) was arrested Monday and charged with violating federal firearms laws. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agents and Ravenna Police Detectives assigned to the ATF Task Force arrested Mosier without incident in Ravenna. The criminal complaint filed in United States District Court charges Mosier as a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm in violation of federal law. More »
Greenwood Businessman Charged in Arson-for-Hire Scheme
August 16, 2010
Daniel Annee, 46, Greenwood, Ind., was arrested and charged last Friday in a federal criminal complaint with solicitation to commit arson. Annee’s arrest follows an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Indianapolis Fire Investigations Section, which is comprised of Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Detectives and Indianapolis Fire Department Investigators. More »
Activity in Federal Court - Fort Wayne
August 5, 2010
Fort Wayne, IN — The United States Attorney’s Office announced the following activity in federal court… More »
Chandler Man Sentenced for Mail Fraud and Conspiracy to Commit Arson
July 29, 2010
Christopher D. Kimbrough, 37, of Chandler, Ind., was sentenced to 18 months in a community corrections work release facility yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard L. Young, following his guilty plea to mail fraud and conspiracy to commit arson. This case was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives and the Evansville Fire Department. More »
Indianapolis Man Sentenced to 18 Years as Armed Career Criminal for Possession of Firearm
July 1, 2010
Steven L. Hunter, 53, Indianapolis, was sentenced to 18 years (216 months) in prison late yesterday by U.S. District Judge William T. Lawrence. Hunter was convicted at trial March 24, 2010, of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, as a result of an investigation by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (“IMPD”) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. More »
Six Members of the Latin Kings Street Gang Indicted for Racketeering Conspiracy
June 29, 2010
The United States Attorney’s Office, and the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice today announced the indictment of six individuals, alleged members of the Latin Kings, in a racketeering conspiracy. More »
Three Indictments Announced Charging 14 With Conspiracy, Gun Crimes and Drug Trafficking Near the “Tot Lot” Playground in Cincinnati’s West End
June 22, 2010
Teams of federal, state and local law enforcement agents today began arresting 14 people accused in three federal indictments charging them with conspiracy, trafficking cocaine and crack cocaine within 1000 feet of a child’s playground, and illegal firearms sales. More »
Joint Investigation Yields Federal and State Indictments on Weapons and Drug Charges Against Tot Lot Posse Gang Members
June 22, 2010
Federal, state and local law enforcement officials today announced the results of an 18-month joint investigation of criminal activity involving a gang known as the Tot Lot Posse in Cincinnati’s West End community. Over twenty individuals have been named in federal and state indictments and arrest warrants for drug and weapons offenses, and teams of law enforcement authorities have spent the day taking these individuals into custody. More »
Indianapolis Man Sentenced to 32 Years for Local Business Robberies
April 14, 2010
Brandon Banks, 25, Indianapolis, was sentenced to 32 years in prison today by U.S. District Judge Larry J. McKinney following his guilty plea to two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence. This case was the result of a lengthy investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD). More »
Three Arrested on Federal Explosives Charges
April 13, 2010
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Cincinnati Office Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Keith Bennett; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Columbus Field Division SAC Christopher Sadowski; FBI Louisville Office SAC Elizabeth Fries and ATF Louisville SAC Paul Vido announce that on April 13, 2010 FBI and ATF agents arrested three individuals on federal charges that they illegally possessed and delivered explosives. More »
Zanesville Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Illegal Firearms
April 5, 2010
Terry Thompson, 61, of Zanesville, pleaded guilty in United States District Court here today to possessing eight illegal firearms, including five fully automatic firearms and three short-barreled firearms without serial numbers. More »
Last Member of Darke County Trio Sentenced in Heroin Trafficking Conspiracy
March 25, 2010
Patrick Antwan Matthews, 25, of Dayton was sentenced in United States District Court here today to 60 months in federal prison on one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, to be served consecutive to a sentence of one-year and one day on a single count of conspiracy to distribute heroin, after pleading guilty on November 10, 2009 to the charges. More »
State Fire Marshal and ATF Seeks Assistance in Stark County Church Arson Investigation
March 18, 2010
Investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Division of State Fire Marshal today issued a request for the public’s assistance in an ongoing arson investigation in Stark County. The Division of State Fire Marshal, through the Blue Ribbon Arson Committee, is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for last Saturday’s church fire in Alliance. More »
Indianapolis Man Sentenced for Armed Robbery
March 12, 2010
Jaitee Jackson, 28, Indianapolis, Indiana, was sentenced to 154 months in prison yesterday by U.S. District Judge William T. Lawrence following his guilty plea to a Hobbs Act robbery, using a firearm in connection with a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. More »
ATF, Berea Police Offer $5,000 Reward
January 8, 2010
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) issued a $2,500 reward and Berea Police have issued an additional $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for shooting at moving vehicles in and around the Prospect Road area. More »
Life Sentence For Leader of Heroin Trafficking Organization
January 6, 2010
Ronald Kelsor, 55, of Columbus was sentenced in United States District Court jury here today to life in prison for leading a heroin trafficking organization that operated throughout central and southern Ohio from 2004 until his arrest in April, 2008. More »