New Orleans Field Division
Welcome to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) New Orleans Field Division. Our Division is responsible for ATF criminal enforcement and industry regulatory activities in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas. Our dedicated work force is comprised of special agents, investigators, explosive enforcement officers, auditors, technicians and support staff.
ATF is committed to reducing violent crime in our neighborhoods. ATF’s New Orleans Field Division special agents combat firearms violence by focusing their investigative efforts on armed violent offenders, career criminals, gun traffickers and gangs. We also work in partnership with other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies throughout Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas to accomplish this mission.
Explosives and arson enforcement is an integral part of ATF’s overall violent crime reduction strategy. ATF’s New Orleans Field Division special agents combat arson and explosives-related crimes by conducting independent investigations and by working in partnership with local and state fire investigators and police bomb squads.
ATF also has the duty of regulating the firearms and explosives industries. Our industry operations investigators work to ensure that all firearms and explosives are stored, handled and sold in a safe manner as mandated by federal law.
We encourage all residents to get involved and assist us in our goal of reducing crime in our communities. Give us a call and let us know what we can do for you. Our phone number is (504) 841-7000.
Phillip M. Durham
Division Management Team
- Phillip M. Durham
- Special Agent In Charge (SAC)
- Bobby Schaal
- Assistant Special Agent In Charge (ASAC)
- Constance Hester
- Assistant Special Agent In Charge (ASAC)
- Vacant
- Director of Industry Operations (DIO)
- Austin R. Banks
- Public Information Officer (PIO)
Division Contact Information
Receive New Orleans Press Release Updates
New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Charge
December 21, 2011
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — ARTHUR DRUMMER, JR., age 26, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, pleaded guilty today to a one–count indictment for a violation of the Federal Gun Control Act before U. S. District Court Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.More »
Greensburg Man Sentenced for a Gun Violation
December 21, 2011
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — CLIFTON HOLMES, JR., age 40, a resident of Greensburg, Louisiana, was sentenced today by U. S. District Court Judge Stanwood R. Duval, Jr. to twenty–seven (27) months of imprisonment for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced U. S Attorney Jim Letten. In addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Duval ordered that HOLMES be placed on three (3) years of supervised release following the term of imprisonment, during which time the defendant will be under federal supervision and risks an additional term of imprisonment should he violate any terms of his supervised release.More »
Gerald Cortez Needham Convicted of Being a Felon in Possession of Ammunition
December 8, 2011
Shreveport, La.: United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that Gerald Cortez Needham, also known as Copperhead,
40, of Bossier City, Louisiana, was convicted by a federal jury of one count of felon in possession of ammunition.More »
Guilty Pleas Entered for Illlegally Obtaining Firearm at Local Gun Show
December 7, 2011
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – KENA JAMES, age 23, and HILTON FLUKER, age 25, both residents of Avondale, Louisiana, pled guilty before U. S. District Court Judge Helen G. Berrigan, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.More »
Local Man Sentenced to 240 Months in Federal Prison for Firearms and Obstruction of Justice Offesenses
November 23, 2011
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JEROD FEDISON aka Feddy
, age 28, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced today by Judge Helen G. Berrigan to serve 240 months in the custody of the United States Bureau of Prisons for violations of the Federal Gun Control Act and for his role in a conspiracy to obstruct justice, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten..More »
ATF Announces $5,000 Reward For Information on Rose Farm Custom Cycles Arson
October 20, 2011
Ocean Springs, Miss. – Investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Mississippi State Fire Marshal’s Office, and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office announced today the posting of an award of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the arson fire that destroyed Rose Farm Custom Cycles, 6600-A Rose Farm Road, Ocean Springs, Miss.More »
Two Arrested for Straw Purchase
at Recent Kenner Gun Show
June 30, 2010
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – HILTON FLUKER, 25, and KENA JAMES, 23, both of New Orleans, Louisiana, have been charged in a criminal complaint in connection with the straw purchase
of a firearm at the Great Southern Gun and Knife Show recently held in Kenner, Louisiana, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.More »
ATF Warns Consumers: Illegal Explosives Are Not Fireworks
June 30, 2011
NEW ORLEANS – Special Agent in Charge Phillip M. Durham of the New Orleans Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), asks the public to use caution with fireworks when celebrating the Fourth of July.More »
Three Men Sentenced in Murder Insurance Fraud and Arsone
May 25, 2011
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DAVID SAMUELS, age 44, a resident of New Orleans, JERMAINE SURTAIN, age 32, a resident of New Orleans, and CHARLES MOSS, age 36, a resident of Detroit, Michigan, were sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Mary Ann Vial Lemmon for their roles in an murder insurance fraud and arson, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten.More »
Mayor Johnson and Chief Coleman Announce Expansion of Partnership with ATF and U.S. Attorney’s Office
April 20, 2011
Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. and Chief Rebecca Coleman announced that the City will have more resources to reduce gun violence in Jackson with the expansion of a partnership between the Jackson Police Department’s Ceasefire Unit and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. This partnership is part of ATF’s Project Safe Neighborhoods strategy (PSN). More »
Five Belaire Area Defendants Arrested
April 12, 2011
BATON ROUGE, LA — United States Attorney Donald J. Cazayoux, Jr. announced that five defendants were arrested on April 12, 2011, on federal gun and drug charges. All of the defendants are from the Belaire area. The ATF Metro Gun Task Force, in conjunction with the Violent Crimes Unit, targeted the Belaire area after numerous recent incidents of gun–related crimes. The Belaire area has one of the highest number of crime gun recoveries in the past 12 months in Baton Rouge. The five defendants are now in Federal custody.More »
Michael Anderson, Leading Member of Central City Gang, Pleads Guilty in Federal Court to RICO, Conspiracy, and Murder Charges
March 18, 2011
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA: MICHAEL ANDERSON, age 25, of New Orleans, Louisiana, pled guilty today before U. S. District Judge Martin L.C. Feldman pursuant to a plea agreement which encompasses ANDERSON’S federal and state charges, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.More »
Life Sentence Handed Down in Arkansas Doctor Bombing
March 2, 2011
NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) announces a life sentence was handed down for the explosives crime that severely injured an Arkansas doctor. More »
Orleans Man Sentenced to 6 Years Imprisonment for Arson
February 25, 2011
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DAMIAN LANDRY, age 43, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana was sentenced today by U. S. District Judge Mary Ann Vial Lemmon to six years (72 months) imprisonment for his role in the arson of his house and the filing of a false fire insurance claim, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten. In addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Lemmon ordered Landry to pay $91,139.80 in restitution to the fire insurance company and imposed three (3) years of supervised release following the term of imprisonment, during which time the defendant will be under federal supervision and risks an additional term of imprisonment should he violate any terms of his supervised release.More »
ATF Explosives Detection Canines Play Major Role at Super Bowl XLV
New Orleans Handler-Canine Team Helps Arlington Prepare For Game day
January 31, 2011
DALLAS — Super Bowl brings together the best teams in football, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has brought its best K-9 teams to North Texas. Barton and Madison are based in New Orleans and will conduct security sweeps at this year's Super Bowl to locate any type of explosive, firearm or ammunition that may be in close proximity to the stadium or other venue relating to the big game. More »
ATF Explosives Detection Canines Play Major Role at Super Bowl XLV
Shreveport Handler-Canine Team Helps Arlington Prepare For Game day
January 31, 2011
DALLAS — Super Bowl brings together the best teams in football, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has brought its best K-9 teams to North Texas. Hood and Jude are based at the Shreveport Fire Department and will conduct security sweeps at this year’s Super Bowl to locate any type of explosive, firearm or ammunition that may be in close proximity to the stadium or other venue relating to the big game.Feb. 6. More »
Governor Jindal Announces Criminal Hot Spot Initiative To Crack Down on Crime & Additional Penalties for Human Trafficking
January 26, 2011
BATON ROUGE — Today, Governor Bobby Jindal, Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden, East Baton Rouge Sheriff Sid Gautreaux, Baton Rouge Police Chief Walter Mondrick, East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hilmar Moore, State Police Superintendent Colonel Mike Edmonson, and several other law enforcement officers from every level of government announced the Criminal Hot Spot Initiative
, which will include housing the East Baton Rouge Violent Crime Unit in the State Police building to help officials better coordinate their efforts to crack down on crime..More »
Federal Jury Convicts Three Men in Insurance Murder Fraud and Arson
January 21, 2011
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — DAVID SAMUELS, age 44, a resident of New Orleans, JERMAINE SURTAIN, age 32, a resident of New Orleans, and CHARLES MOSS, age 36, a resident of Detroit, Michigan, were convicted by a federal jury today of a multi-count indictment following a 7-day trial, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.More »
Jury Finds Thompson and Baggett Guilty of Firearms Charges
December 17, 2010
Little Rock — Jane W. Duke, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas; Phil Durham, Special Agent in Charge of the New Orleans Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF
); and Valerie Parlave, Special Agent in Charge of the Little Rock Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced that a jury convicted George W. Thompson, 65 of Cabot, of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, possessing an unregistered silencer, operating an illegal gambling business and conspiring to do the same, and of aiding and abetting marriage fraud. The jury also convicted Thompson and Samuel Gaylon Baggett, 58, a sitting alderman in the city of North Little Rock, of conspiring with one another to dispose of ammunition to a felon. Baggett was also convicted of aiding and abetting a felon in possession of a firearm (Thompson) and of making a false statement to ATF and FBI agents.More »
Arkansas Man Arrested in Connection with Explosive Device Left at Polling Place in Carroll County, Arkansas
December 3, 2010
Fort Smith — U.S. Attorney Deborah Groom of the Western District of Arkansas announced today that members of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force arrested Mark Krause, a 40-year-old Arkansas man, on a criminal complaint charging him with Attempted Use of Force Against Those Engaged in Federally Protected Activities, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 245(b)(1)(A) and Possession of a Firearm, Namely a Destructive Device, not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, in violation of 26 U.S.C. §§ 5861(d) and 5871 in connection with an explosive device found at a polling place in Osage, Arkansas, in June 2010.More »
ATF, Local Police and Firearms Industry Join Forces to Stop Illegal Firearms Purchases in Gulfport
November 7, 2010
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Gulfport Police Department and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms industry, today announced a major campaign to significantly reduce the illegal straw purchases of firearms in Gulfport. More »
Gretna Man Pleads Guilty to Arson Threats
October 22, 2010
DAVID PATRICK MCGUIRE, age 62, a resident of Gretna, Louisiana, pled guilty yesterday in federal court before U.S. District Court Judge Mary Ann Vial Lemmon to a three count indictment for threats to injure an individual and to destroy a building, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten. More »
Illegal Alien Charged With Possession of a Firearm
October 22, 2010
ELIAS GUEVARA, age 28, a citizen of Honduras, was charged in a criminal complaint today with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten. More »
Illegal Alien Charged With Attempting to Illegally Export a Firearm
October 22, 2010
RUBIN EDGARDO HERNANDEZ-MADRID, age 31, a citizen of Honduras, was charged in a criminal complaint today with illegally exporting a firearm to Honduras, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten. More »
New Orleans Man Sentenced to 30 Months in Federal Prison for Gun Charge
October 22, 2010
KERRY A. HUBBARD, age 32, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced yesterday in federal court by U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier to thirty (30) months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm in New Orleans to run concurrent to any sentence imposed in state court, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten. In addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Barbier ordered that HUBBARD be placed on three (3) years of supervised release following the term of imprisonment, during which time the defendant will be under federal supervision and risks an additional term of imprisonment should he violate any terms of his supervised release. More »
Member of the Krazy Locos Criminal Street Gang Sentenced to Life Imprisonment Following Convictions for Two Homicides, Robbery, and Firearms Charges
October 22, 2010
KEWAYNE MORGAN, aka Duke
aka Shorty
aka Weezy
, age 26, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana pled guilty today in federal court before U. S. District Judge Stanwood Duval to gun an drug charges arising out of his participating in a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, powder cocaine, heroin, and marijuana, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten. More »
Local Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison
September 29, 2010
DANQUELL MILLER, a/k/a “Queezy,” age 28, also a resident of New Orleans, was sentenced today in federal court by U.S. District Judge Kurt Engelhardt to serve twenty (25) years (300 months) in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten. More »
ATF National Response Team Activated to Investigate Scott Warehouse Fire
September 14, 2010
National Response Team (NRT) from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) along with ATF special agents from the New Orleans Field Division have been activated by request from the Scott Fire Department and Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office to investigate a fire that occurred at Advance Products and Systems, located at 108 Asset Avenue, in Scott, Louisiana. More »
Bossier City Man Convicted on Gun Charges
August 24, 2010
A Bossier City resident faces a lengthy prison sentence after a federal jury returned a guilty verdict on felony firearm charges. Billy Dewayne Moore, 32, was convicted by a federal jury of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today. U.S. District Judge Tom Stagg presided at the trial. More »
New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Carjacking
August 19, 2010
JESSE SCOTT, age 19, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, pled guilty in federal court yesterday before U.S. District Judge A. J. McNamara, to conspiracy to use a firearm during a carjacking and carjacking, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten today. More »
Eight Charged in 24-Count Federal Superseding Indictment for Rico, Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering, and Federal Drug and Gun Violations
August 6, 2010
MICHAEL ANDERSON, age 24, HAROLD JONES, age 34, THERON JONES, age 21, JEREMIAH MILLRO, age 23, COREY OLIVER, age 21, DARRYL SHIELDS, age 23, JEROME SIMMONS, age 23, and TONY SIMMONS, age 23, all of New Orleans, Louisiana were charged today in a 24-count superseding indictment with violations of the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization Act, violent crime in aid of racketeering, the federal controlled substances act and the federal gun control act, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten. More »
Convicted Felon Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Firearm Violation
July 23, 2010
OLIN DEREK GRANT, age 44, a resident of New Orleans, was sentenced today in federal court by U. S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey to fifteen (15) years in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten. In addition, GRANT was ordered to serve five (5) years of supervised release during which time he will be under federal supervision and risk additional imprisonment should he violated any terms of the release. More »
Mayor Landrieu and Chief Serpas Announce Project Safe Neighborhoods Enforcement Initiative
July 16, 2010
In keeping with Mayor Landrieu’s commitment to reduce crime, the Mayor and Chief Ronal Serpas announced the dramatic expansion of resources dedicated to the federally-led, multi-part strategy, Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) to combat gun violence in New Orleans. More »
ATF Warns Consumers: Illegal Explosives Devices Are Not Fireworks
June 30, 2010
Special Agent in Charge Phillip M. Durham of the New Orleans Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), ask the public to use caution when celebrating the July 4th holiday with fireworks. More »
Tobacco Farmers Plead Guilty, Forfeit $8 Million in Cash
June 29, 2010
William C. Martin, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Mississippi, Daniel McMullen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Mississippi, and Phillip M. Durham, Special Agent in Charge of the New Orleans Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), announce that… More »
Indictment for Assault Upon a Federal Officer With a Dangerous Weapon
June 11, 2010
BRANDON BANKS, age 24, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged today by a Federal Grand Jury in a one-count indictment with forcibly assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten. More »
Gretna Man Indicted for Arson Threats
June 11, 2010
DAVID PATRICK MCGUIRE, age 62, a resident of Gretna, Louisiana, was charged in a three count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury for threats to injure to injure an individual and to destroy a building, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten. More »
Federal Jury Returns Guilty Verdict on Firearms and Drug Charges for Members of Local Street Gang Named 3-N-G
June 4, 2010
DALTON BENNETT, a/k/a “D,” age 39, LANCE BENNETT, age 22, and DANQUELL MILLER, a/k/a “Queezy,” a/k/a “Quee,” age 28, all residents of New Orleans, were convicted today by a federal jury sitting in New Orleans of participating in a conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute more than 50 grams of crack cocaine and a quantity of marijuana, a conspiracy to obstruct justice, and other drug and firearms offenses, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten. More »
Arrests Made on Federal Firearms and State Charges
June 3, 2010
Federal and state law enforcement agents fanned out across Shreveport this morning to serve arrest warrants resulting from Operation: Free Trade, a seven-month undercover sting operation focused on gun and drug violations, United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced. Five defendants were arrested on federal charges, while an additional nine defendants were arrested on state charges. More »
ATF to Hold “GREAT Graduation” Ceremony for Benjamin Bannekar Students
May 17, 2010
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) today announced that the Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T) Program that teaches students to avoid gangs, youth violence and delinquency will graduate 65 eighth graders at the Benjamin Banneker Elementary School on Monday, May 17. Representatives from the office of the U.S. Attorney, and the office of Senator Mary Landrieu will attend the graduation. More »
Mitch Sivina Pleads Guilty to the Unlawful Sale and Transportation of Stolen Cigarettes and Money Laundering
May 17, 2010
William C. Martin, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Mississippi, Daniel McMullen, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Phillip M. Durham, Special Agent in Charge of the New Orleans Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), announce that… More »
New Orleans Man Sentenced for Making Threats to Kill President Obama and for Drug and Firearms Offenses
May 11, 2010
John Turnpaugh, age 47, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced in federal court today by U.S. District Judge Jay Zainey to ninety-six (96) months imprisonment for threats against the President, as well as drug and gun charges, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten. Specifically, the defendant was sentenced to serve 36 months in prison as to charges involving the threat against the president and the drugs, and a consecutive sentence of 60 months as to the gun charge. More »
Kentucky Man Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Distribution of Cigarettes, Money Laundering
May 7, 2010
William C. Martin, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Mississippi, Daniel McMullen, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Phillip M. Durham, Special Agent in Charge of the New Orleans Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), announce that… More »
New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Making Threats to Kill President Obama and to Drug and Firearms Offenses
February 2, 2010
John Turnpaugh, age 47, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, pled guilty today in federal court before U.S. District Judge Jay Zainey to making threats to kill the President; possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute it; and to possessing four firearms in furtherance of his drug trafficking activity, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten. More »
Armed Home Invasion Group Member is Sentenced in Federal Court to Drug and Firearms Charges
January 28, 2010
A member of a violent crime group in Shreveport, Louisiana was sentenced today for planning an armed home invasion to rob rival drug dealers of cash and drugs, Acting United States Attorney William J. Flanagan announced. More »
New Orleans Man Indicted For Making Threats to Kill the President
January 15, 2010
JOHN TURNPAUGH, age 47, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was indicted yesterday in a four count indictment by a federal grand jury for making threats to kill the President, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten. More »
ATF Announces Up to $5,000 Reward For Information on Victorian/Bellemont Apartment Arson
January 13, 2010
Investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office and the Jefferson Parish Fire Department announced today that ATF is posting a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for 5 arson fires since November 14, 2009 at the Victorian Condominiums and Bellemont Apartment Complex in the 6200 block Riverside Drive, Metairie, LA. More »
New Orleans Man Sentenced to Over 14 Years in Federal Prison For Distributing Heroin
January 7, 2010
BRIAN SMITH, age 36, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced yesterday in federal court by U. S. District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle to over 14 years (170 months) in prison for distributing quantities of heroin, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten. More »
Grand Jury Returns Indictment Charging Russellville Area Doctor With Bombing of State Medical Board Chairman
January 6, 2010
Jane W. Duke, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, and Phillip Durham, Special Agent in Charge of the New Orleans Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), announced today the return of a second superseding indictment against Dr. Randeep Mann, age 51, of London, Ark. In addition to earlier charges, Mann is now also charged with the Feb. 4, 2009, bombing of Dr. Trent Pierce, Chairman of the Arkansas State Medical Board. More »