ATF HQ

Cortez Blakemore, 35, and Robert Lesure, 23, were found guilty after an 8‑day trial of RICO conspiracy and drug trafficking for the Highs gang. They sold fentanyl at Broadway & Lyndale in N. Minneapolis, enforcing control through violence, kidnapping, and murder.

Explosives Detection K-9 Taylor and other ATF-trained K-9s recently recertified in Minnesota thanks to a visit by the ATF National Canine Division, the leading federal authority for explosives and accelerant detection canines for law enforcement and military organizations.

A small army of ten K9 units came together to help @ATF_NCETR @LosAngelesATF @FBILosAngeles @lasdhq @SEBLASD @lapdhq Bomb Squad @CAL_FIRE conduct a meticulous investigation of the tragic explosion that claimed the lives of 3 LASD Sheriff's detectives.

Trinidad & Tobago national Videsh Chandoo, 44, was sentenced to 18 months in prison in Florida for smuggling guns and ammo from the U.S. to Trinidad & Tobago. The illegal shipment was intercepted in Port of Spain in July 2023. More at tt.usembassy.gov/tt-national-se…. #StopGunTrafficking

Deovion Baker, 20, of Madison, WI, was sentenced to 2 years in fed prison for orchestrating an illegal gun purchase and possessing a gun while indicted. Codefendant Candice Patterson straw purchased 2 guns for convicted felons, 1 later found with a machinegun conversion device.

Our sincere condolences go out to the Van Dyne Fire Department and the family and friends of Firefighter-Safety Officer Amie Lee, who suffered an injury at work and died days later from suspected complications. She served as a volunteer for 13 years. #LODD #LastAlarm @ATFStPaul

Three Syracuse men pled guilty to possessing and selling firearms - two are convicted felons. A great example of interagency coordination protecting our communities. Thanks to ATF Syracuse, Syracuse PD & NDNY. justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/t…

Our new ATF Explosive K9 “Wes” 🐶 and his Special Agent Canine Handler @ATFWashington are hitting the ground running this morning by ensuring the safety of attendees during the “First Day of Issue” new stamp dedication ceremony at @USPIS_HQ. #ATF

Our deep sympathies are with the East Branch Fire Department, family and friends of Assistant Chief Jason McGlone, who was killed when his fire truck became entangled with electrical wires at a crash scene. He served as a volunteer for 25 years. #LODD #LastAlarm @ATFNewYork

🔥💰REMINDER: ATF is offering up to $5,000 for info leading to the arrest & conviction in the March 21 arson at a Tesla power station in Fargo. Know something? Call 701‑241‑5777 or text FARGOPD to 847411. Help us hold the suspect accountable.

Our sympathies are with Beauregard Parish Fire District 4, the family and friends of Firefighter/Operator Jonathan Ashworth, who was killed in a vehicle accident while responding to an emergency. He served his community as a volunteer for 6 years. #LODD #LastAlarm @ATFNewOrleans

A Brooklyn man was charged with arson of 10 NYPD vehicles. Intentionally setting fire to police vehicles is a dangerous criminal act and a direct threat to public safety. Thanks to collaboration with our partners. justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/b…

Shannon Lee Samlalsingh, 46, of Tampa, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to making false statements to a firearms dealer. She was a straw purchaser for guns illegally smuggled into Trinidad & Tobago. ATF International Affairs, @ATF_Tampa & @HSI_HQ investigated. justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/h…

Gentile Kahungu, 19, who was living in Marion, Iowa, was in possession of 18 machinegun conversion devices. Evidence established his firearm was used during two other shootings in Marshalltown & Cedar Rapids, IA. He has been sentenced to nearly a decade in federal prison. 🔗⬇️

@ATF_Denver continues to support immigration operations across Colorado alongside our federal partners at @ERODenver, @USMSDenver, @FBIDenver & @DEAROCKYMTNDiv. All criminal illegal aliens targeted came from multiple countries and had criminal backgrounds.

Our sincere condolences go out to @CACorrections and the family and friends of Parole Agent Joshua Byrd, who was shot and killed by a parolee who was released a week earlier. Agent Byrd was a Navy veteran and served with the department for 11 years. #LODD #EOW @ATFSanFrancisco

Hector Benavidez, 38, from Donna, TX, a previously convicted felon, was sentenced to federal prison. While working on a cleaning crew for the historic '24 Spencer, IA flood, he had access to where firearms were stored. After admission of stealing them, they were recovered. 🔗⬇️

Last week, @ATFNewYork Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller met with the Director of Public & Professional Programs at @Sept11Memorial to discuss the enduring impact of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on ATF’s mission and operational practices. More at atf.gov/our-history/re…. #ATF

ATF deployed its National Response Team to Los Angeles to investigate an explosion that claimed the lives of three Los Angeles County Sheriff’s detectives yesterday. @LosAngelesATF and @ATF_NCETR are working closely with @LASDHQ and @FBILosAngeles. More at atf.gov/news/press-rel…

Our National Response Team (NRT) flew in from around the country and landed in LA early this morning. Their forensic investigation is already well underway as we are working to find answers for the @LASDHQ explosion victims and their loved ones.