DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
Southern District of Alabama

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, June 20, 2018
Richard W. Moore
, United States Attorney
Contact: Eric Day

Three-Month Operation Nets 29 Defendants, Takes Over 50 Guns Off Streets

MOBILE – A three-month operation focused on reducing violent crime in Mobile and Gulf Coast region resulted in federal charges against 29 defendants, with about 50 guns seized, announced U.S. Attorney Richard Moore, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Hyche and Mobile Police Chief Lawrence Battiste. 

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and ATF joined with local law enforcement in Mobile and the Gulf Coast Region in an intense effort named “Operation Focused Remedy” to arrest violent offenders and take guns off the streets. 

U.S. Attorney Moore said, “This operation is a part of the ‘Make American Safe Again’ effort spearheaded by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Taking guns out of the hands of convicted felons is one way to make our neighborhoods safer. We prosecute more gun cases per capita than any place in America and we will continue to do so.”

ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence resources included firearms tracing, the use of NIBIN and the issues surrounding stolen firearms from the public. The 29 defendants facing current gun charges have on average four prior felony convictions. 

“ATF and our partners are committed to removing the criminal element from the streets of Mobile,” Hyche said. “ATF Crime Gun Intelligence Centers are the driving force to reducing the violent crime that plagues our neighborhoods.” 

Anyone with information about this crime should contact ATF at 800-ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867).  Information can also be sent to ATFTips@atf.gov, through ATF’s website at www.atf.gov/contact/atftips. Tips can be submitted anonymously using the Reportit® app or by visiting www.reportit.com. 

The participating agencies included the Mobile Police Department, Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Alabama Attorney General’s Office, Prichard Police Department, United States Marshal’s Office (USMS) and the USMS Gulf Coast Task Force.  

Nashville Field Division