Statement of Carson W. Carroll
Deputy Assistant Director/Field Operations
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Before the United States Senate
Committee on Environment and Public Works
May 18, 2005

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Good morning Chairman Inhofe and members of the Committee. I want to thank you for this opportunity to appear before you to discuss the contributions of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in relationship to the investigation of violent crimes perpetrated by environmental and animal rights extremists. Two of the most active extremist movements in the United States today are the Earth Liberation Front and the Animal Liberation Front. Both tend to engage in criminal activities designed to make a direct adverse economic impact on the chosen target. In the Pacific Northwest, where I was the Special Agent-in-Charge of the Seattle Field Division, I gained first hand experience through exposure to numerous open arson investigations in the region, allegedly involving ELF and ALF. I saw the threat posed to those communities and to the nation.

The most worrisome trend to law enforcement and private industry alike has been the increase in willingness by these movements to resort to the use of fire as their first weapon of choice. ATF has shown that suspected or known ELF and ALF sponsored arsons have been carried out using an assortment of devices ranging from primitive to sophisticated, which are described in ELF and ALF literature, both in print and online.

It is important to note that an arsonist is extremely dangerous because once the fire is set, he or she loses control and the outcome is determined by the chaotic progression of the fire itself. Because of this, there have been several “close calls” connected to the activity of these extremists. In one case, during an ELF arson incident at the Boise Cascade Office in Oregon, firefighters were pulled back just before a roof collapsed. However, according to the U.S. Fire Administration’s Annual Report, an average of over 100 firefighters die per year, in the line of duty.

For the untrained eye, it is very easy to miss the remnants of an incendiary or explosive device in and among the mounds of fire or bomb debris. The goal of ATF’s arson programs is to provide investigative and technical expertise, rapid response, and state-of-the-art training; all in the service of reducing violent crimes involving fire. In addition to all field agents receiving in depth arson training and experience, the agents participating in ATF’s Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) Program are at the forefront of fire investigation. They are unequivocally the most highly trained origin and cause investigators in the Federal Government. Prior to initial certification and in addition to the core curriculum, CFIs must complete a two-year process which includes the examination and documentation of a minimum of 100 fire scenes. The candidates must prepare an approved, publishable thesis in the area of fire science, fire dynamics or fire behavior characteristics. ATF’s fire protection engineers, who are experts in fire reconstruction and engineering analysis, provide invaluable expertise in this arena. ATF’s laboratories are instrumental in perfecting ATF cases and also in serving as a resource for State and local law enforcement. The ATF Fire Research Laboratory, located in Ammendale, Maryland, is a one-of-a-kind fire test center with the capability of replicating fire scenarios for the purpose of detailed analysis. ATF also maintains the Arson and Explosives National Repository, the country’s most comprehensive set of data describing fire and explosion incidents. ATF is now using the latest information management technology to make case information available to law enforcement agencies nationwide through the Bomb and Arson Tracking System. Several of ATF’s programs, such as the National Response Team and the accelerant detection and explosives detection canine programs, strengthen our efforts in arson and explosives investigations.

Mr. Chairman, the Anti-Arson Act of 1982 gave ATF jurisdiction in Federal arson offenses. Utilizing this existing statute as contained in Title 18, United States Code, Section 844 (i), ATF has participated in over 100 investigations related to ELF and ALF incidents with some noteworthy success in the following cases:

• the conviction of Jeff Leurs and Craig Marshal for an ELF-related arson that destroyed several sports utility vehicles at an automobile dealership in Eugene, Oregon
• the prosecution of William Jensen Cottrell for ELF-related arson crimes in West Covina, California
• ELF members initiated a combination of pipe-bombs and incendiary devices at the Fur Breeder Agricultural Cooperative in Sandy, Utah. Two defendants plead guilty for the crimes

Mr. Chairman, members of the committee, on behalf of the men and women of ATF, I thank you for your support of our crucial work. We are determined to succeed in our mission of reducing violent crime, preventing terrorism, and protecting the public. There is no greater evidence of this than our continued commitment in the fight against the violent acts committed by animal rights and environmental extremists. Additional information on relevant ATF programs is contained in the long statement provided for the record. I look forward to responding to any questions you may have.

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