Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

LOS ANGELES – A convicted felon was arrested yesterday on a federal firearms charge alleging he illegally possessed several firearms and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition. 

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), along with the Operations-West Bureau’s (OWB) Los Angeles Police Department /ATF Gun Violence Reduction Task Force initiated an investigation into Anthony Butterfield, 36, of South Los Angeles, after he threatened a neighbor.  As a result, Butterfield was charged in federal court with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. 

On Jan. 7, 2022, LAPD responded to a call reporting an ongoing assault with a deadly weapon at 3748 Inglewood Blvd., according to the federal criminal complaint filed last week. Butterfield allegedly was verbally threatening a neighbor while pacing back and forth with an axe in front of his residence. He then brandished a rifle, according to the complaint. 

Butterfield was arrested, and LAPD officers executed a state search warrant, which led to the seizure of two AR-type pistols, one 9 mm pistol, one suppressor, two body armor plates, narcotics laced with fentanyl, and a cache of assorted magazines and ammunition from his Los Angeles residence, the complaint states. Butterfield was subsequently released on bail.

Butterfield was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to four previous felony convictions. According to the federal complaint, in September 2008, Butterfield was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon. In December 2013, he was convicted of possession of a firearm by a felon and possession or sale of a controlled substance. In February 2014, he was also convicted of assault with a deadly weapon.

ATF works with its local, state and federal partners to investigate firearms-related charges and provide resources to reduce violent crime in our communities. This case was initially investigated by LAPD OWB, and ATF was brought in to provide investigative support and assistance related to the nature of the federal firearm offenses. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elia Herrera.

ATF is the lead federal law enforcement agency with jurisdiction involving firearms and violent crimes and regulates the firearm industry. For more information about ATF follow @LosAngelesATF on Twitter.
 

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