Philadelphia Field Division

The Philadelphia city skyline Photo used under Creative Commons from Wikimedia user Parent5446

Welcome to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Philadelphia Field Division. Our Division is responsible for ATF criminal enforcement and industry regulatory activities in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Our dedicated work force is comprised of special agents, investigators, canine handlers, auditors, technicians, legal counsel and support staff.

ATF is committed to reducing violent crime in our neighborhoods. The Special Agents of the Philadelphia Field Division combat firearm violence by focusing their investigative efforts on armed violent offenders, career criminals, gangs and gun traffickers. In order to accomplish this mission, we work in partnership with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.

Explosives and arson enforcement are an integral part of ATF’s overall violent crime reduction strategy. ATF’s Philadelphia Field Division special agents combat arson and explosive-related crimes by conducting independent investigations and by working in partnership with local and state fire investigators and police bomb squads. Also, ATF provides post-blast training for local investigators and bomb technicians.

ATF also has the duty of regulating the firearms and explosives industry. The Industry Operations Investigators work to ensure that all firearms are stored, handled and accounted for in a safe manner according to law. Investigators conduct periodic inspections of firearms and explosives licensees. ATF Industry Investigators play an integral part in preventing domestic and international firearms trafficking.

We encourage all residents to get involved and assist us in our goal of reducing crime in our communities. If community members have information regarding any violent criminal activity in this region, do not hesitate to contact the Philadelphia Division at (215) 446-7800.

Sheree L. Mixell


Division Management Team

Sheree L. Mixell
Special Agent In Charge (SAC)
Essam E. Rabadi
Assistant Special Agent In Charge (ASAC)
Donald G. Robinson
Assistant Special Agent In Charge (ASAC)
Alphonso Hughes
Director of Industry Operations (DIO)
Steven Bartholomew
Public Information Officer (PIO)

Division Contact Information

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
601 Walnut Street, Suite 1000E
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106 USA
Voice (215) 446-7800
Fax (215) 446-7811

ATF Names New Leader for Philadelphia Field Division

December 15, 2011

PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced the appointment of Sheree L. Mixell as the Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Philadelphia Field Division, in December 2011.More »

Superseding Indictment in Racketeering Case Filed Against Violent Southwest Philadelphia Drug Gang

September 14, 2011

A superseding indictment was unsealed today adding three additional defendants and 16 additional counts against members of the Harlem Boys, a violent street gang operating in Southwest Philadelphia’s Bartram Village Housing Development (BVHD). Among the new charges are several crimes of violence and threats in aid of racketeering, Hobbs Act robberies, and drug distribution counts.More »

Violent Armed Robber Sentenced to 158 Years in Prison

August 4, 2011

ALLENTOWN, PA — Robert J. Pennington, 25, of Reading, PA, was sentenced today to 158 years in prison in connection with multiple armed robberies committed between December 27, 2007 and February 4, 2008 during which delivery truck drivers were assaulted and robbed at gunpoint in Reading, Pennsylvania, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger and Berks County District Attorney John Adams. A federal jury convicted Pennington on March 8, 2011, of 16 counts including one count of conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery, one count of attempted interference with interstate commerce by robbery, seven counts of interference with interstate commerce by robbery, and seven counts of using and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence.More »

US Attorney Statement on Guilty Verdict Against Collarbomb Defendant Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong

November 1, 2010

U.S. Attorney David J. Hickton issued the following statement regarding the guilty verdict in the case of US v. Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong… More »

Violent Southwest Philadelphia Drug Gang Indicted for Racketeering

October 6, 2010

An indictment was unsealed today against members of the so-called “Harlem Boys,” charged in a conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise and other crimes, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger, Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Potter with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey. More »

Philadelphia Press Release Archive