CONVICTED FELON WANTED IN ALABAMA AND FLORIDA
ARRESTED IN CALIFORNIA WITH STOLEN FIREARMS

Special Agent in Charge James M. Cavanaugh, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Nashville Field Division, announces the arrest of Beverly James TYNER, a 62 year-old transient who was wanted by ATF for possessing stolen firearms. TYNER was arrested without incident on August 30, 2003 in Buena Park, California, while in possession of a stolen firearm.

TYNER became the target of an ATF investigation in early August 2003 after information was received by the ATF Mobile Field Office indicating TYNER had acquired at least three firearms under false pretenses from individuals in Florida and Alabama by representing himself as a United States Government Agent Flight Instructor with the Federal Aviation Administration. Investigation revealed that TYNER responded to several advertisements placed in newspapers by individuals selling personally owned firearms, portrayed himself as an employee of the FAA, and then paid the victims with a personal check on a closed AmSouth Bank Account. TYNER pawned two of these firearms for cash at two Mobile area pawnshops.

On August 27, 2003, the result of this investigation was presented to a Federal Grand Jury in the Southern District of Alabama. The Grand Jury returned an indictment against
TYNER charging him with possessing stolen firearms in violation of 18 U.S.C., Section 922 (j).

On August 30, 2003 officers from the Buena Park Police Department responded to a complaint of a disturbed subject at the Orangethorpe Motel Inn Motel, Buena Park, California. While conducting their investigation officers contacted TYNER and placed him under arrest on the basis of the Federal arrest warrant. At the time of his arrest, TYNER was found to be in possession of a firearm that had been reported stolen by an Alabama resident

Although a specific date has yet to be set, TYNER will be transported back to Mobile to answer to the charge(s) in the August 27, 2003 indictment.

If convicted, TYNER faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine for each violation of 18 U.S.C., Section 922 (j).

TYNER is certified by the FAA as a pilot, Flight Engineer, and/or Navigator.

TYNER is also suspected of stealing a Dodge Durango from a Florida car dealership. The location of the Durango is unknown; however, investigators believe that it is located in a State other than California because it appears TYNER traveled to California by train.

ATF is requesting the public's assistance with this investigation. If anyone has fallen victim to TYNER'S firearm scam or has additional information regarding TYNER, they are encouraged to contact the ATF Mobile Field Office at (251) 441-5338.

This investigation is being conducted by Special Agents in the ATF Mobile Field Office and investigators from the Transportation Safety Administration, the Baldwin County Sheriff's Department, and the Tallahassee Florida Police Department.

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