San Francisco Field Division
Photo used under Creative Commons from Wikimedia user Don Sleeter
Welcome to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) San Francisco Field Division. Representing one of the twenty-five ATF Field Divisions in the United States, our geographic area of responsibility encompasses Northern California, from the Oregon border to Bakersfield, and the State of Nevada. Our dedicated workforce is comprised of special agents, investigators, forensic auditors, technicians, support staff and contract workers.
ATF is a Federal law enforcement agency within the Department of Justice that is committed to reducing violent crime in our communities. Our close relationships with our State and local law partners include collaborative efforts with police, sheriff and fire investigators, homicide investigators and local and regional bomb squads. These partnerships have created a force multiplier that has proven to be highly successful in reducing violent crime. We protect our neighborhoods from violent criminals, criminal organizations, the illegal use and trafficking of firearms, the illegal use and storage of explosives, acts of arson and bombings, acts of terrorism, and the illegal diversion of alcohol and tobacco products.
Explosives and arson enforcement is an integral part of ATF’s overall violent crime reduction strategy. ATF special agents, certified explosives specialists, explosives enforcement officers, certified fire investigators, and forensic specialists are prepared to respond to any explosive or fire scene and routinely work with the local first responders to process the scene, recover, examine and analyze evidence, conduct follow up investigation, and provide expert testimony in court.
ATF is charged with the duty of regulating the firearms and explosives industries. We are committed to the goal of ensuring all firearms and explosives are stored, handled, and sold in a safe manner according to law.
One of ATF’s four forensic science laboratories and one of ATF’s three regional Explosives Technology Branch offices are located within the geographic area of the San Francisco Field Division. ATF’s forensic laboratories were the first Federal laboratories to achieve accreditation in 1984 by the American Society of Crime Lab Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB). Achieving ASCLD/LAB (ISO) accreditation is a rigorous process for forensic laboratories, requiring extensive review of laboratory examination and documentation procedures used in the examination of evidence.
The men and women of ATF are proud to serve you and our goal of reducing violent crime and protecting our Nation is ever present. If you have a question or have information that may assist us in our mission, please contact us at (925) 557-2800.
Stephen C. Herkins
Division Management Team
- Stephen C. Herkins
- Special Agent In Charge (SAC)
- John P. Lee
- Assistant Special Agent In Charge (ASAC)
- Jeffrey E. Vind
- Assistant Special Agent In Charge (ASAC)
- Christopher S. Turett
- Director of Industry Operations (DIO)
- Helen A. Dunkel
- Public Information Officer (PIO)
Division Contact Information
Receive San Francisco Press Release Updates
Fresno Man Charged with Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm
January 19, 2012
FRESNO, Calif. — United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced that a federal grand jury returned an indictment on January 12, 2012 charging Jalaam Paggett, 29, of Fresno, with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment was unsealed today after his arrest.More »
Fresno Felon Sentenced for Illegal Firearms Possession for a Fourth Time in Less Than a Decade
January 17, 2012
FRESNO, Calif. – United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced that today United States District Judge Anthony W. Ishii sentenced Vue Her, 27, of Fresno, to six years and nine months in prison for two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and for a supervised release violation on a prior felon-in-possession-of-a-firearm conviction.More »
Jury Finds Fairfield Man Guilty of Car Bombing Former Tenant
January 17, 2012
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced that Daniel Richard Garcia, 30, of Fairfield was convicted today of malicious use of explosives, possession of a destructive device in relation to a crime of violence, and two counts of possession of unregistered destructive devices. The guilty verdict was returned by a federal court jury in Sacramento after a four-day trial before United States District Judge Lawrence K. Karlton.More »