Houston Field Division
Photo used under Creative Commons from flickr user Adam Baker
Welcome to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Houston Field Division website. The Houston Division includes all of Southern Texas from Del Rio, San Antonio, Waco and Austin over to Beaumont and down to Corpus Christi, McAllen and Laredo. Our dedicated employees are special agents, investigators, auditors, technicians and support staff.
ATF Houston is committed to reducing violent crime in our neighborhoods. We accomplish this by targeting specific criminal organizations, gun traffickers and violent offenders under Project Safe Neighborhoods, Project Gunrunner and the Violent Crime Impact Teams.
Explosives and arson enforcement is an integral part of ATF’s overall violent crime reduction strategy. ATF Houston 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.
Since Houston is the number one origination point of firearms recovered in crimes in Mexico, firearms trafficking is an investigative priority. Recently we detailed 100 agents, investigators and support staff for 120 days to Houston and the border with Mexico to combat firearms trafficking. The initiative, called Gunrunner Impact Teams (GRIT) was very successful resulting in hundreds of criminal investigations and over 1000 firearms dealer inspections.
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.
Dewey Webb
Division Management Team
- J. Dewey Webb
- Special Agent In Charge (SAC)
- Vacant
- Assistant Special Agent In Charge (ASAC)
- Gary Orchowski
- Assistant Special Agent In Charge (ASAC)
- Crisanto Perez
- Assistant Special Agent In Charge (ASAC)
- Vacant
- Director of Industry Operations (DIO)
- Franceska Perot
- Public Information Officer (PIO)
Division Contact Information
Houston,
Texas
77086
USA
Receive Houston Press Release Updates
Guilty Verdict in Corpus Christi Convicted Felon Case
January 10, 2012
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Richard Angel Gonzales, 39, of Corpus Christi, Texas, has been convicted on all three federal charges against him, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today.More »
Three Sentenced for Involvement in a 100+ Firearm Straw Purchase and Export Ring
December 20, 2011
MCALLEN, Texas – Three men involved in making false statements in the acquisition of firearms from federal firearms licensees (FFL) and exporting those firearms to Mexico are now serving prison terms, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today.More »
HPL Gang Member Gets 35 Years in Federal Prison
December 12, 2011
LAREDO, Texas — Four members of the Hermanos Pistoleros Latinos (HPL) street gang have been sentenced to federal prison for their part in preparing an armed robbery in which they planned to steal drugs, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today along with J. Dewey Webb, special agent in charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).More »
Federal Jury Returns Guilty Verdict Against Corpus Man in Firearms Case
December 8, 2011
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Elias Puebla, 21, has been found guilty of one count of illegally receiving a firearm, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today. The jury returned its verdict just a few minutes ago following a two-day trial and approximately one hour of deliberation. Puebla was acquitted on the second count in which he was charged.More »
Three Area Men Land in Federal Prison for Straw Purchasing Scheme
November 30, 2011
McALLEN, Texas – Three Rio Grande Valley men will be serving prison terms for falsifying information on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Form 4473, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today.More »
Tomball Man Pleads Guilty To Involvement In Murder
November 22, 2011
BEAUMONT, Texas – A 48-year-old Tomball, Texas, man has pleaded guilty to charges related to a 2008 Liberty County homicide, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales of the Eastern District of Texas.More »
Two Sentenced to Federal Prison for Involvement in Straw Purchase of Firearms
November 21, 2011
MCALLEN, Texas – Randy Aguilar, of McAllen, Texas, and Miguel Mejia, of Penitas, Texas, have been sentenced to prison for making false statements in acquisition of firearms from Federal Firearms Licensees (FFL), commonly referred to as straw purchasing, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today. Chief United States District Judge Ricardo H. Hinojosa sentenced Aguilar and Mejia to 46 and 30 months, respectively, at a hearing a short time ago in federal court in McAllen.More »
Laredo Man Convicted in Federal Court
November 16, 2011
LAREDO, Texas — Jesus Eloy Garcia, 37, of Laredo, Texas, has been convicted by a federal jury verdict after a two–day trial of being a prior convicted felon unlawfully in possession of a firearm and ammunition, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today. The verdict was announced just a couple hours ago in Senior U.S. District Judge George P. Kazen’s court after less than an hour of deliberation.More »
Federal Grand Jury Returns Superseding Indictment Against Naser Jason Abdo in Connection with Bomb Plot
November 8, 2011
United States Attorney Robert Pitman and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Cory B. Nelson announced that 21–year–old Naser Jason Abdo faces new charges in connection with a July bomb plot in Killeen, Texas.More »
Smuggling Assault Rifles Lands Three in Federal Prison
November 8, 2011
LAREDO, Texas — Three men have been sentenced to federal prison following their convictions for conspiring to smuggle assault rifles into Mexico, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today. U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana handed down the sentences approximately an hour ago in Laredo federal court.More »
Orange County, Texas Woman Sentenced For Federal Gun Violations
November 2, 2011
BEAUMONT, Texas – A 38-year-old Orange, Texas woman has been sentenced to federal prison for federal firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today.More »
ATF and Fire Marshals Conclude Investigation at Garden Ridge Fire
October 19, 2011
CONROE, TX – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Dewey Webb along with the City of Conroe Deputy Fire Marshal Joe Craig and the Montgomery County Fire Marshal James Williams are announcing that the conclusion of the scene investigation at the Garden Ridge Pottery fire that occurred on Oct. 12. All agencies are in agreement that the blaze was intentionally set. At this time they will not release additional details on the specific origin and cause of the fire as a criminal investigation is on-going.More »
ATF’S National Response Team Activated to Investigate Home Decor Store Fire
October 13, 2011
CONROE, TX – The National Response Team (NRT) of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) along with ATF Special Agents from the Houston Field Division have been activated by a request from the City of Conroe Fire Marshal’s Office to investigate a fire at the Garden Ridge Pottery Home Décor Store located at 16788 I45, Conroe, Texas.More »
Chambers County Woman Charged with Conspiring and Aiding Her Deceased Husband to Make 122 Destructive Devices
October 6, 2011
HOUSTON – A federal grand jury has charged 32-year-old Pamela Leggett of aiding and abetting her deceased common law husband, Gilbert Ortez, in the making and possessing, along with conspiring to make and possess, destructive devices and firearms, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today along with Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent-in-Charge J. Dewey Webb.More »
Drug Dealer Sentenced to 40 Years in Federal Prison
October 3, 2011
HOUSTON — A federal judge has sentenced Houston drug dealer Fred Joseph Cooper, 41, to 481 months in prison, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today along with J. Dewey Webb, special agent in charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).More »
Last of Five Charged with Conspiring to Rob an Armored Truck Convicted
September 30, 2011
HOUSTON – A federal jury has found the last of five Houston area men charged with offenses arising from a conspiracy to rob an armored truck guilty of all counts alleged in a three-count indictment, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today.More »
Port Arthur Man Sentenced for Armed Robbery Spree
September 29, 2011
BEAUMONT, Texas – A 38-year-old Port Arthur, Texas man has been sentenced to federal prison for his role in a crime spree targeting area businesses in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today.More »
Jury Convicts McAllen Resident For Role in Straw Purchase of Firearms Scheme and Possession of an Unregistered Silencer
September 27, 2011
McALLEN, Texas — A federal jury has found Manuel Tijerina–Herrera, 48, a lawful permanent alien residing in McAllen, Texas, guilty of all counts alleged in a five–count indictment arising from a straw purchase of firearms scheme as well as for possessing a unregistered silencer, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today.More »
Raza Unida Gang Leader Sentenced to 324 Months in Federal Prison for Racketeering
September 21, 2011
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Raza Unida gang leader Rudy Rodriguez will be serving 324 months in federal prison
for drug trafficking and conspiracy to murder in furtherance of a racketeering enterprise, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today.More »
Somerset Man Sentenced to Federal Prison in Connection with July and August 2010 Bomb Explosions
September 2, 2011
United States Attorney John E. Murphy announced that in San Antonio this morning, 48–year–old Raymond Edward Mynes of Somerset, Texas, was sentenced to ten years in federal prison for a series of incidents involving explosive devices which caused an approximate $23,000 in property damage.More »
Texas Syndicate Gang Members and Associates Sentenced to Prison
August 30, 2011
McALLEN, Texas – Six Texas Syndicate members and associates have been sentenced to prison for racketeering, violent crimes in aid of racketeering, kidnapping and possession with intent distribute cocaine, United States Attorney Jose Angel Moreno announced today.More »
Attempt to Export Firearms into Mexico Lands Laredo in Prison
August 30, 2011
LAREDO, Texas – Daniel Bustamante, 35, of Laredo, Texas, was sentenced to prison today for attempting to smuggle 16 firearms, including AR-15 and AK-47 assault rifles, to the Republic of Mexico in violation of the Arms Export Control Act, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today along with Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (">ATF) Special Agent in Charge Dewey Webb.More »
Federal Prison Sentences Handed Down in Austin-Based Firearms Trafficking / Money Laundering Scheme
August 22, 2011
United States Attorney John E. Murphy and Special Agent in Charge Dewey Webb, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Houston Field Division announced that in Austin this afternoon, 55-year-old Aurelia Ochoa Hernandez and 38-year-old Pedro Daniel Tovar were sentenced to 360 months and 97 months in federal prison, respectively, in connection with an Austin-based firearms trafficking and money laundering scheme.More »
Alleged Convicted Felon and Recruited Straw Purchasers of Firearms Charged with Lying to Buy Firearms
August 19, 2011
HOUSTON – A seven-month investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has resulted in the return of a nine-count indictment charging the alleged ring leader and two of his recruits with conspiracy to lie to buy firearms and aiding and abetting the unlawful purchase of 15 firearms, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today along with ATF Special Agent in Charge J. Dewey Webb. The alleged leader of the group, William Simmons, an alleged convicted felon who is prohibited by law from purchasing firearms, is also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.More »
Raza Unida Gang Leader Sentenced to Life in Prison Without Parole for Racketeering
August 18, 2011
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Raza United gang leader Johnny Joe Guerra will be serving the rest of his life in federal prison for drug trafficking and two other members of the Raza Unida gang will be serving lengthy prison terms for committing Violent Crimes in aid of Racketeering (VICAR), United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today.More »
Firearm Straw Purchaser Recruiters Plead Guilty
August 17, 2011
LAREDO, Texas — Jose Luis Castro, 39 of Austin, Texas, and Raul Martinez, 34 of Laredo, Texas, have pleaded guilty to participating in a scheme to recruit straw-purchasers to buy firearms, particularly Colt El Grito
.38 caliber super pistols, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today.More »
Four Sentenced For Making False Statements in Two Related Firearms Cases
August 16, 2011
McALLEN, Texas – Yesterday, a San Juan man, who was identified as a supervisor in aiding and abetting the straw purchase of approximately 23 firearms, was sentenced to 120 months in prison, the maximum sentence under the law, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today.More »
Members of Ring Convicted of Lying to Buy Firearms Bound for Mexico Sentenced
July 27, 2011
McALLEN, Texas — Eight members of ring convicted of lying to buy firearms bound for Mexico have been sentenced to prison terms, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today.More »
Veteran Police Officer Sentenced for Federal Firearms and Mail Fraud Violations
July 7, 2011
BEAUMONT, Texas – A 56-year-old veteran peace officer has been sentenced to federal prison for firearms and mail fraud violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today. More »
Jury Convicts Four Hermanos Pistoleros Latinos Gang Members of Drug and Firearms Charges
June 28, 2011
LAREDO, Texas – Late yesterday afternoon a federal jury convicted four members of the Hermanos Pistoleros Latinos (HPL) street gang of various charges arising from a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives () sting operation, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today. More »
Pasadena, Texas Man Pleads Guilty for Role in Murder Scheme
June 2, 2011
WASHINGTON – A Pasadena, Texas, man pleaded guilty today to charges related to a homicide that took place in Atascosa County, Texas, in May 2008, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department's Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney John E. Murphy for the Western District of Texas.More »
Two Indicted on Federal Firearms and Smuggling Charges
May 11, 2011
United States Attorney John E. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge Dewey J. Webb, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives – Houston Division and Special Agent in Charge Jerry Robinette, U.S. ICE Homeland Security Investigations announced the return of a federal grand jury indictment in San Antonio this afternoon charging a San Antonio woman and a U.S. resident living in Piedras Negras, Mexico, in a conspiracy to purchase machine guns and attempt to smuggle them into Mexico. More »
Three Sentenced for Attempting to Smuggle Machine Guns and Grenades to Mexico
April 25, 2011
(LAREDO, Texas) – Guillermo Enriquez-Rodriguez, Hector Rolando Enriquez, and Rubisel Valdez-Mar have all now been sentenced for attempting to smuggle four machine guns and 30 grenades in violation of the National Firearms Act, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today. All three men were sentenced over the course of the previous week by visiting U.S. District Court Judge Danny C. Reeves Enriquez-Rodriguez, a 19-year-old resident alien living in Laredo, Texas, was sentenced to 57 months in prison on April 18, 2011; while his brother, Rolando Enriquez, a 21-year-old U.S. citizen living in Laredo, received 55 months in prison on April 22, 2011. Valdez-Mar, an undocumented Mexican alien, received a 68-month prison term on April 20, 2011, which is to be served consecutively with an eight-month sentence for violation of supervised release for a prior conviction. More »
Alleged Aryan Brotherhood Members Charged for Roles in Jefferson County, Texas, Shooting
March 31, 2011
BEAUMONT, Texas — Two alleged members and associates of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas (ABT) were arraigned today on charges related to their alleged roles in the 2009 shooting of a man in Jefferson County, Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales of the Eastern District of Texas and Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division.More »
American Husband and Colombian Wife Charged with Unlawfully Exporting Firearms to Colombia
March 10, 2011
(HOUSTON) – An American husband and his Colombian wife have been arrested and charged with smuggling firearms to Colombia, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today, along with Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Dewey Webb and Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) Special Agent in Charge Robert Rutt.More »
Somerset Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges in Connection with July and August 2010 Bomb Explosions
March 3, 2011
United States Attorney John E. Murphy announced that in San Antonio, 47-year-old Raymond Edward Mynes of Somerset, Texas, faces up to 60 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to federal charges in connection with a series of incidents involving explosive devices which caused an estimated $20,000 in property damage.More »
Federal Charges Filed Against Eleven Arrested After Discovery and Seizure of Marijuana, Cocaine, Firearms, Grenades and Ammunition
February 25, 2011
(McALLEN, Texas) — Federal charges of drug-trafficking and illegal weapons-exporting crimes have been filed in U.S. District Court in McAllen, Texas, against a total of 11 defendants arrested earlier this week, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today.More »
Houston Salvage Yard Owner Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Heroin Trafficking
January 19, 2011
(BROWNSVILLE, Texas) — Joel Linares-Soberanis, 36, has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison without parole for trafficking heroin into the United States from Mexico, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today.More »
Previously Convicted Felon Sentenced to 24 Years in Prison for Possessing Firearm
January 19, 2011
(CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas) — A previously convicted felon, Damian Valentin Monserrat, 48, has been sentenced to 24 years in federal prison without parole for possessing a stolen firearm and being a felon in possession of a firearm, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today. More »
Three Texas Syndicate Members Sentenced to Life Imprisonment
January 6, 2011
(MCALLEN, Texas) — Three members of the Texas Syndicate prison gang convicted by a jury of racketeering and committing violent crimes in aid of racketeering (VCAR) have been sentenced to life imprisonment, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge J. Dewey Webb announced today.More »
Straw Purchase of Guns Leads to Prison Term for U.S. Citizen
January 5, 2011
(McALLEN, Texas) — A United States citizen, who had resided in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico, has been sentenced to 37 months in federal prison without parole for straw purchasing 13 firearms, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today.More »
Odem Resident Pleads Guilty to Weapons Charges
December 22, 2010
(CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas) — Jeremy Charles Davenport has pleaded guilty to two counts involving federal weapons charges, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today. Davenport, 35, of Odem, Texas, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack. Yesterday, Davenport pleaded guilty to being in possession of an I.E.D., or Improvised Explosive Device, on Sept. 29, 2010, as well as being a drug user in possession of 19 firearms including a machine gun. It is against federal law to possess firearms while being an unlawful user of a controlled substance. Davenport admitted that he was illegally using cocaine at the time of the offense. More »
Angleton Man Sentenced for Making False Threats
November 5, 2010
(VICTORIA, Texas) — Aaron C. Robinson, of Angleton, Texas, has been sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for knowingly using a cellular telephone to convey a false threat to damage or destroy a building by means of an explosive, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today. Robinson was convicted after pleading guilty to the felony offense on August 3, 2010. More »
Houston Salvage Yard Owner Convicted of Heroin Trafficking Charges
October 22, 2010
(BROWNSVILLE, Texas) — A federal jury has convicted a Houston salvage yard owner of importation and distribution of more than 17 kilograms of heroin, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today. The verdicts were returned late this afternoon in open court before United States District Judge Hilda Tagle. More »
Humble, Texas Man Sentenced for Role in Liberty County Gun Case
October 6, 2010
(Beaumont, TX) United States Attorney John M. Bales announced today that a Humble, Texas man was sentenced for his role in the sale of guns stolen from the Cleveland Police Department in the Eastern District of Texas More »
Two Port Arthur Men Sent to Federal Prison for Gun Thefts During Hurricane Ike Evacuation
September 15, 2010
Two Port Arthur, Texas residents have been sentenced to federal prison as a result of Operation Time Machine in the Eastern District of Texas announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today. More »
Veteran Police Officer Indicted on Federal Gun Charges
August 5, 2010
A 55-year-old veteran peace officer has been indicted and charged with federal firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today. More »
ATF and Fire Marshal Rule Fatal Egg Farm Fire as Accidental
July 9, 2010
The National Response Team (NRT) of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office announced today that they have finished the scene investigation at the Maxim Egg Farm in Boling, Texas. Investigators have determined that the fire was accidental. More »
ATF National Response Team Activated to Investigate Fatal Egg Farm Fire
July 5, 2010
The National Response Team (NRT) of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) along with ATF Special Agents from the Houston Field Division have been activated by a request from the Wharton County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office to investigate a fire at the Maxim Egg Farm on 3307 FM 442, Boling, Texas. More »
Fire at Clothes Warehouse Intentionally Set
June 27, 2010
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Houston Field Division Special Agent in Charge Dewey Webb and Laredo Fire Chief Steve Landin announced today the completion of the on-scene investigation of the June 20, 2010 fire that completely destroyed Jerry’s Ropa Usada. More »
Three Individuals With Alleged Ties to Aryan Brotherhood Charged With a 2008 Murder That Occurred in Atascosa County, Texas
June 24, 2010
Three alleged members or associates of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas (ABT) have been indicted for their alleged roles in a 2008 murder in Atascosa County, Texas, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney John E. Murphy of the Western District of Texas. More »
ATF National Response Team Activated to Investigate Clothes Warehouse Fire
June 23, 2010
The National Response Team (NRT) of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) along with ATF special agents from the Laredo Field Office have been activated by a request from the Laredo Fire Department to investigate a fire at Jerry’s Ropa Usada (Jerry’s Used Clothes). More »
Three 20-Year-Olds Sentenced to Prison for Lying to Buy Firearms
June 22, 2010
Three 20-year-old Brownsville residents who lied to buy firearms for another are now convicted felons and will be serving prison terms, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today. More »
Leader of Texas Prison/Street Gang Sentenced to Prison for Firearms Conviction
June 18, 2010
Steven Walter Cooke, 47, a reputed high ranking member of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas (ABT) prison/street gang and a previously convicted felon, has been sentenced to prison for possessing firearms, U.S. Attorney José Angel Moreno and Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer for the Department of Justice Criminal Division announced today. More »
Mission, Texas Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possession of a Machine Gun
May 14, 2010
United States Attorney John E. Murphy announced that in San Antonio this morning, 25-year old Jesse Eduardo Patlan of Mission, Texas, was sentenced to five years in federal prison for unlawfully possessing a machine gun. More »
Hardin County Man Sentenced for Firearms Violation
April 28, 2010
U.S. Attorney John M. Bales announced today that a 39-year-old Silsbee, Texas man has been sentenced to federal prison for federal firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas. More »
San Juan Man Sentenced for Lying and Buying 18 Firearms
March 30, 2010
Bernardo Garza, 44, of San Juan, Texas, has been sentenced to 15 months in prison for lying to buy firearms, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today. Chief United States District Judge Ricardo H. Hinojosa handed down the prison term at a hearing today. The prison term is to be followed by a two-year-term of supervised release. More »
The Last of Three Charged in Scheme to Export Firearms to Mexico Sentenced to Federal Prison
March 30, 2010
The last of three defendants charged for their role in a scheme to purchase firearms and sell them at inflated prices knowing the firearms were to be smuggled into Mexico has been sentenced to prison, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Special Agent in Charge Jerry Robinette and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Dewey Webb announced today. More »
Attempt to Smuggle Semi-Automatic Firearms and Ammunition Thwarted at Anzalduas Port of Entry
March 23, 2010
A 48-year-old Mexican national has been arrested and charged with attempting to export semi-automatic weapons and ammunition into Mexico without a license or authorization, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today. More »
Joint ATF–ICE Investigation Leads to Arrest of Three
March 16, 2010
An 18-month joint Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) investigation has resulted in the arrest of three people in Houston as a result of the filing under seal of two separate complaints charging two with felony drug trafficking offenses and a third with felony gun violations, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today. More »
Two Charged With Conspiracy to Receive or Possess Machine Gun
March 15, 2010
Two men arrested and charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to receive or possess a machine gun not registered to them will remain in federal custody pending a detention hearing on Wednesday, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today. More »
Laredo Police Officer and Co-Conspirator Plead Guilty to Cocaine Conspiracy
February 17, 2010
A Laredo Police Department (LPD) officer and a local man have pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today. More »
Operation Time Machine Nets Three in Port Arthur, Texas
February 10, 2010
U.S. Attorney John M. Bales announced today that three Port Arthur, Texas men have pleaded guilty to firearms violations as a result of Operation Time Machine in the Eastern District of Texas. More »
Houston, Texas Explosives Detection Canine Helps Miami Prepare for Super Bowl XLIV
February 5, 2010
Not everyone participating in this year’s Super Bowl is a football player. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF) have fielded their best players to help prepare for a safe and secure Super Bowl XLIV. These pros include ATF K-9 explosives detection teams that have been deployed to Miami from around the country. The K-9 teams are working side-by-side with other federal, state and local law-enforcement officers to keep the football teams and fans safe throughout this event. More »
Ten Starr County Residents Indicted for Lying to Buy Firearms
February 2, 2010
A 12-month investigation by special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has resulted in the indictment of 10 persons accused of lying to buy more than 60 firearms over a five-month period beginning in December 2008, United States Attorney Tim Johnson announced today. More »
Silsbee Man Sentenced For Federal Gun Crimes
January 26, 2010
U.S. Attorney John M. Bales announced today that a 38-year-old Silsbee, Texas man has been sentenced to federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm in the Eastern District of Texas. More »
ATF National Response Team Activated to Investigate First Baptist Church Fire in Temple
January 21, 2010
The National Response Team (NRT) of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) along with ATF special agents from the Austin Field Office have been activated by a request from the Temple Fire Department to investigate a fire at the First Baptist Church. The fire at the church, located at 102 West Barton, Temple, occurred on Jan. 19. More »