Los Angeles Field Division
Photo used under Creative Commons from flickr user RodneyRamsey
Welcome to ATF’s Los Angeles Field Division website. From California’s Central Coast, extending south to the Mexican border, we cover the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Diego and Imperial. Our dedicated work force is comprised of special agents, investigators, auditors, technicians and support staff.
The men and women of ATF Los Angeles are committed to reducing violent crime in our communities. ATF accomplishes this by identifying and targeting specific criminal organizations and the persons responsible for perpetrating violence in our communities. Some of our more notable gang investigations have been the Mongols motorcycle gang, Rancho San Pedro gang, Rollin 30s Crips, Bounty Hunter Bloods, Florencia 13 street gangs, Mexican mafia and the Aryan Brotherhood prison gangs.
ATF Los Angeles is also very proactive in investigating violations of federal law pertaining to arson and explosives. To this end, ATF works closely with local fire departments and police bomb squads. Recently ATF participated in the investigations involving the Hollywood arsonist and the Escondido bomb house and was instrumental in the recovery of evidence that led to the criminal procedures to both of the individuals involved.
ATF also has the duty of regulating the firearms and explosives industry. Our goal is to ensure that all firearms and explosives are stored, handled and sold in a safe manner according to law. In Los Angeles this extends to Hollywood, where filmmakers use firearms and explosives in movie productions.
ATF Los Angeles was the first field division to host a citizen academy for the public to get an inside look at agency. This unique training promotes a more informed community through education about ATF’s mission, regulatory and technical capabilities, and our role in reducing violent crime by enforcing federal firearms, explosive, arson and tobacco laws.
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 (818) 265-2500.
Steven J. Bogdalek
Division Management Team
Division Contact Information
Receive Los Angeles Press Release Updates
ATF Announces $10,000 Reward in Torrance Firearms Burglary Investigation
August 30, 2012
TORRANCE, Calif. — Special Agent in Charge Steven J. Bogdalek, of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Los Angeles Field Division, and the Torrance Police Department, (TPD), today announced that a $5,000 reward will be offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for the theft of firearms from a federal firearms licensee.More »
ATF Announces $10,000 Reward in Corona Firearms Burglary Investigation
August 30, 2012
CORONA, Calif. – Special Agent in Charge Steven J. Bogdalek, of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Los Angeles Field Division, and the Corona Police Department today announced that a $5,000 reward will be offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for the theft of firearms from a federal firearms licensee.More »
More Than 100 Federal Agents and Police Officers Arrest Dozens of Violent Criminals for Firearms and Drug Trafficking Violations
August 10, 2012
ANAHEIM, Calif. – ATF Special Agent in Charge Steven J. Bogdalek and Anaheim Police Chief John Welter today announced the conclusion of a joint investigation dubbed Operation Halo, which has resulted in the arrest of defendants who are charged with crimes ranging from drug trafficking to homicide. More »
CDCR Parole Agents Arrest More Than 69 Parolees with Gang Affiliations in Los Angeles
July 25, 2012
EL MONTE – Agents from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and their local law enforcement partners have just concluded Operation Guardian, one of the largest and most comprehensive sweeps in recent years focusing on parolees who have known ties to criminal gangs. More »
Operation Duck Pond Nets 53 People
July 20, 2012
Riverside CA – "Operation Duck Pond" was launched in March of 2012 in part as a response to community concern over auto thefts and illegal gun trafficking. More »
Suspect Arrested in Connection with Destructive Devices Found in Palm Springs
June 8, 2012
The Palm Springs Police Department, working in collaboration with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Hazardous Device Team, Joint Terrorism Task Force (), the Coachella Valley Violent Crime Gang Task Force (CVVCGTF) and Post Release Accountability and Corrections Team (PACT) Task Force, is pleased to announce that an arrest has been made as a result of an ongoing investigation into the series of destructive devices that were found throughout the City of Palm Springs during May of 2012. More »
ATF Undercover Operation in the Valley Recovers 13 Firearms
May 25, 2012
LOS ANGELES – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) today announced the arrests of five defendants for various federal firearms and narcotics violations during an undercover investigation dubbed Operation Hollywood Confidential.
More »
ATF Undercover Operation in South Los Angeles County Recovers 6 Firearms
May 24, 2012
LOS ANGELES – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) today announced the arrest of two defendants who were indicted on firearms violations after a six-month undercover investigation in the south Los Angeles County. More »
Mongols Motorcycle Gang Member Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murdering President of San Francisco Hells Angels
May 15, 2012
SAN FRANCISCO – Christopher Bryan Ablett, a/k/a Stoney,
a member of the Modesto Chapter of the Mongols outlaw motorcycle gang, was sentenced today to serve two concurrent life sentences and one life sentence to run consecutive, United States Attorney Melinda Haag announced. The sentence was imposed for the defendant’s gang-related murder of Mark Papa
Guardado, the president of the San Francisco Chapter of the Hells Angels, on Sept. 2, 2008, at 24th Street and Treat Avenue in the Mission District of San Francisco. More »
Sixth Destructive Device Found, $10,000 Reward Being Offered
May 12, 2012
On Saturday, May 12, 2012, at approximately 9:50 AM, the Palm Springs Police Department received a call of a possible destructive device in the 2700 block of East Verona Road. The reporting party was a passerby who located the device while jogging. The reporting party was not related to any of the earlier incidents. PSPD responded to the location and observed the destructive device.More »
Jury Convicts Man of Attempted Murder for Planting Pipe Bombs in Wife’s Truck
May 7, 2012
San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis announced a guilty verdict in the case of Lawrence Hoagland, a 50-year-old Rancho San Diego Man who planted pipe bombs in his wife's pickup truck in an attempt to kill Connie Hoagland. More »
ATF Suspect Arrested for Distribution of a Controlled Substance in South Central Los Angeles
May 3, 2012
LOS ANGELES – Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), announces that Dario Jorge Herrera was arrested today in Los Angeles after a criminal complaint was filed charging him with distribution and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.More »
ATF Welcomes New Special Agent In Charge of the Los Angeles Field Division
April 23, 2012
LOS ANGELES – –Steven J. Bogdalek has been named the new Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Los Angeles Field Division, which encompasses the southern portion of the state of California.More »
Los Angeles Resident Sentenced to 102 Months for Firearms and Narcotics Violations
April 9, 2012
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) announced today that Los Angeles resident, Calvin Colbert, 24, was sentenced to 102 months in federal prison by United States District Judge George H. Wu. Colbert was arrested in 2009 as part of an ATF and San Bernardino Police Department (SBPD) investigation for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base in the form of crack cocaine.More »
26 Stolen Military Machineguns Lead to Indictments and Convictions in Fresno Federal Court
April 2, 2012
FRESNO, Calif. – United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced today that Chief United States District Judge Anthony W. Ishii sentenced Mark Nino de Rivera, 22, of Fresno, California to 30 months imprisonment for making false statements to federal agents. That sentence is the latest in a series of indictments, convictions, and sentencings resulting from an intensive investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.More »
Brawley Resident Sentenced for Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm
March 29, 2012
EL CENTRO, Calif. — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) announced that on March 23, Salvador Villegas Jr. of Brawley was sentenced to 64 months in federal prison and three years supervised release by United States District Court Judge Janis L. Sammartino, for being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm.More »
Suspect of ATF Las Vegas Investigation Arrested in Murrieta
March 28, 2012
MURRIETA, Calif. — Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), announced the arrest of Fernando Gallo Tuesday afternoon in Murrieta for being a felon in possession of a firearm.More »
ATF Agents Honored During Anti–Defamation League Ceremony
March 14, 2012
LOS ANGELES — The Anti–Defamation League Sherwood Prize Award Ceremony was held yesterday at the Skirball Center located at 2701 North Sepulveda Blvd. Special Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Los Angeles Field Division were honored by the ADL for their work on Operation Stormfront.More »
Mongols Motorcycle Gang Member Convicted of Murdering President of San Francisco Hell’s Angels
February 23, 2012
SAN FRANCISCO – Late yesterday afternoon, a federal jury found Christopher Bryan Ablett, a/k/a Stoney,
a member of the Modesto Chapter of the Mongols outlaw motorcycle gang, guilty of all four felonies with which he was charged including murder in aid of racketeering, assault with a deadly weapon in aid of racketeering, using a firearm during a crime of violence, and using a firearm causing murder during a crime of violence, U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag announced. The charges stemmed from the defendant’s gang-related murder of Mark Papa
Guardado, the President of the San Francisco Chapter of the Hells Angels, on Sept. 2, 2008, at 24th Street and Treat Avenue in the Mission District of San Francisco.More »
Gang Member Sentenced for His Involvement in an ATF Undercover Sting
February 8, 2012
LOS ANGELES — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) today announced that George R. Lopez of Lawndale was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison and three years supervised release by United States District Court Judge George King, for a firearm related offense in which he was arrested for the conclusion of an ATF undercover operation in 2010.More »
Two Mexican Mafia Members and 117 San Diego County Street Gang Members and Associates with Ties to The Mexican Mafia Charged with Racketeering Conspiracy, Drug Trafficking Violations and Firearms Offenses
January 25, 2012
San Diego, CA - A federal grand jury in San Diego has handed up 17 indictments and the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California has filed eight criminal complaints charging a total of 119 defendants with federal racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking violations and federal firearm offenses, announced United States Attorney for the Southern District of California Laura E. Duffy.More »
ATF National Response Team Activated to Investigate a Series of Arson Fires in Los Angeles County
January 4, 2012
LOS ANGELES — The National Response Team (NRT) of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) was called to investigate a string of arson fires in several locations throughout Los Angeles.More »
ATF Offering $10,000 Reward for Information Relating to Arson Incidents
January 4, 2012
LOS ANGELES — Special Agent in Charge John A. Torres of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Los Angles Field Division announced today a $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for arsons which occurred in different locations in Los Angeles, Calif.More »
Reward Offered for Tips in University Heights Arson Cases
January 3, 2012
SAN DIEGO, CA (January 3, 2012) — San Diego City Councilmember Todd Gloria today urged University Heights neighbors to help solve a recent string of arsons at a local church. A reward of up to $10,000 is offered from Crime Stoppers and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for tips that lead to arrests in the case. Crime Stoppers hosts both the Hate Crime Reward Fund and the Arson Reward Fund that may be used to increase the reward. A reward of up to $1,000 is offered for information leading to an arrest and an additional reward of up to $9,000 is offered on conviction.More »
Los Angeles Arson Watch Task Force January 2, 2012
January 2, 2012
During the early morning hours of Thursday, December 29, 2011, two persons were arrested in the Hollywood area in unrelated arson incidents where four fires and one attempted fire occurred. The arsons involved trash can fires and a vehicle fire that extended to an apartment building. Samuel Arrington 22 years old was charged with arson of an inhabited dwelling ($75,000 bail) and Alejandro Pineda 55 years old was charged with arson of property ($50,000 bail).More »
Three Individuals Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison for Conspiracy to Possess an Unregistered Firearm
December 15, 2011
United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced today that Yoahjan Lara Flores, Arturo Lara, and Alfredo Rubio Lara were each sentenced to serve 60 months in prison following their convictions for conspiracy to possess an unregistered firearm, in violation of Title 26, United States Code, Section 5861(d). The defendants entered their guilty pleas on March 18, 2011. More »
Reward Offered for Big 5 Robbery Information
December 15, 2011
On December 5, 2011 the Big 5 Sporting Goods Store was robbed by three men at gunpoint. A significant number of firearms (rifles and shotguns) were stolen during the robbery. The suspects are still outstanding. The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has offered a reward of $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects responsible for the robbery. More »
Inter-Department Operation Nets Numerous Arrests and Guns
December 14, 2011
More than 250 law enforcement officers from the Sheriff's Department, Department of Probation , Pasadena Police, Department Children and Family Services MART, along with Narcotics and ATF investigators conducted Operation DISARM where more than 160 locations were searched for persons, on probation, for firearm related offenses. These probationers are prohibited from possessing firearms. In total, 34 people were arrested for possessing firearms or other charges and 23 guns were recovered. More »
D.I.S.A.R.M. conducts 158 Probation Searches and Takes Guns/Drugs off Streets
December 14, 2011
The Los Angeles County Probation Department led a multi-agency sweep this morning in Operation D.I.S.A.R.M.
which included 158 probation compliance checks in the County’s 5th District.More »
Warrant Service for Arrests, Searches and Probation Searches
November 29, 2011
On Tuesday, November 29, 2011, about 12:15 PM, Indio Police Department with the assistance from other law enforcement officers conducted arrest warrants, search warrants and probation searches.More »
Australian Citizen Sentenced to 24 Months for Illegal Possession of Firearms
November 28, 2011
PHOENIX — Elie Malkoun, 53, of Victoria, Australia, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Susan R. Bolton to 24 months in the Bureau of Prisons plus three years of supervised release. The defendant pleaded guilty on July 19, 2011, to one count of Alien Illegally or Unlawfully in the United States in Possession of a Firearm in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(5)(A).More »
Gang Member Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking
November 14, 2011
LOS ANGELES – A Rollin 30’s Harlem Crip gang member who was arrested in 2008 as part of a large Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigation dubbed Operation Criptonite
was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute oxycotin by United States Federal District Judge Philip S. Gutierrez. More »
Narcotic Search Warrant Suspects Arrested at K&M Barbershop
October 28, 2011
During the past year the Moreno Valley Police Department has received numerous complaints from businesses, citizens and elected officials about narcotic and gang activity coming from inside and around K & M Barbershop located at 24135 Sunnymead Boulevard, Moreno Valley. More »
ATF Los Angeles Hosts Citizens’ Academy
September 29, 2011
LOS ANGELES – John A. Torres, Special Agent in Charge of the Los Angeles Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), announced the commencement of the latest class of the ATF Citizens’ Academy
presented by the Los Angeles Field Division. The academy began Sept. 28 and runs through Nov. 9, is designed to create a greater understanding of ATF’s role in the community through education and open discussion.More »
Defendant Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Narcotic Violations
September 27, 2011
LOS ANGELES – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) today announced that Jose Adelmo Ayala was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison on Sept. 26 by United States District Judge Steven V. Wilson. Ayala was arrested as part of a 2010 ATF investigation dubbed Operation Temple Street,
and pled guilty to distribution of methamphetamine.More »
DA Announces Dozens of Indictments in Undercover Auto Theft Operation
September 15, 2011
San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis today announced 33 grand jury indictments as a result of a six-month undercover operation conducted by the Regional Auto Theft Task Force (RATT) in cooperation with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The defendants face various felony charges vehicle theft, residential burglary, possession of stolen property and illegal weapons possession.More »
ATF Promotes the Greater Los Angeles Combined Federal Campaign Kickoff in the City of Hope
September 14, 2011
LOS ANGELES – John A. Torres Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, (ATF) Los Angeles Field Division and Martha Flores, Chief of Staff of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (US CIS), District 23, the co-chairmen of the Los Angeles Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), announce the CFC kickoff for 2012 at the City of Hope, Duarte, Calif.More »
California Resident Pleads Guilty to Furnishing False Statements to Obtain Firearms
September 13, 2011
LOS ANGELES — Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Los Angeles Field Division announced today Christopher Mathwig, 38, of Costa Mesa, Calif., pleaded guilty to furnishing false statements to acquire 40 firearms from another state. Mathwig also agreed to forfeit greater than 34 firearms he obtained illegally from Calvary Arms Corp. which ATF had seized in conjunction with his arrest and prosecution.More »
ATF Announces Completion of Police Training 2011 Law Enforcement Officer Safety Summit
September 12, 2011
LOS ANGELES – John A. Torres, Special Agent in Charge of the Los Angeles Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), announced the completion of the 2011 Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Awareness Training. The conference which was sponsored by ATF, the United States Attorney’s Office, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), was held at the Los Angeles Convention Center downtown.More »
Multi-Agency Investigation Targets Riverside-Area Gang
August 10, 2011
$10,000 Reward Offered for Information Regarding the Fort Irwin Firearms Theft
July 29, 2011
LOS ANGELES — Special Agent in Charge John A. Torres of the Los Angeles Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), today announced that ATF and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for a Fort Irwin firearms theft which occurred on the night of July 15, 2011.More »
ATF Los Angeles Hosts Federal Firearms Licensee Seminar
July 27, 2011
SAN DIEGO – Special Agent in Charge (SAC) John A. Torres of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearm and Explosives (ATF) invites all Federal Firearms Licensees, (FFL), to participate in the Federal Firearms Licensee Seminar on August 23, 2011. More »
Joint Task Force Target’s Notorious and Violent Gang
July 19, 2011
(San Diego, CA) Today, the San Diego Police Department led a multi-agency task force in a coordinated take-down of numerous high value targets with ties to Mexican drug cartels.More »
Joint Task Force Target’s Notorious and Violent Gang
July 14, 2011
Los Angeles: The "Chosen Few Motorcycle Club" (MC) is a criminal gang that was formed in 1960 in the City of Los Angeles. Its headquarters remain in the 10800 block of South Broadway. Its members are primarily Black men, with active chapters throughout the United States. During the first four months of 2010, the club was involved in three shootings and a homicide.More »
99 Members and Associates of Mexican Mafia – Affiliated Gangs Charged in Operation "Black Flag"
July 13, 2011
Over five hundred law enforcement officers and agents executed arrest and search warrants this morning marking the culmination of a multi–year investigation by the Santa Ana Gang Task Force that resulted in five federal indictments and various state felony charges for gang–related crime. Members and associates of violent Mexican Mafia controlled gangs who claim the streets of Orange County as their territory were taken into custody for their roles in crimes and criminal enterprises alleged to be responsible for carrying out offenses including racketeering, extortion, narcotics and firearms violations, assault and murderMore »
Central Valley Joint Fugitive Taskforce Announces Arrest of Dennis Knox
July 1, 2011
Tehachapi – U.S. Marshal Albert Najera, of the Eastern District of California, announced today that the U.S. Marshals Central Valley Joint Fugitive Task Force (CVJFTF) arrested Mitchell Dennis Knox.More »
ATF Promotes a Safe July 4th Celebration and Awareness of the Dangers of Fireworks
July 1, 2011
LOS ANGELES – Special Agent in Charge John A. Torres of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, (ATF) Los Angeles Field Division, wishes for Southern California residents to have a safe and responsible Fourth of July celebration.More »
ATF Undercover Operation Targets West Valley Firearm Traffickers
June 29, 2011
LOS ANGELES – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) today announced the arrest of seven defendants for various firearms and narcotics violations as the result of Operation Woodchuck,
an undercover operation that targeted firearm traffickers in the San Fernando Valley. An additional three suspects were arrested during today’s takedown unrelated to this investigation.More »
Wilmington Resident Sentenced to 27 Years in Federal Prison for Being an Armed Career Criminal
June 20, 2011
LOS ANGELES — A Wilmington resident who was arrested by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for trafficking narcotics while armed was sentenced today to 324 months in federal prison.More »
Escondido Bomb
House Defendant George Jakubec Sentenced to 30 Years
June 13, 2011
United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that George Djura Jakubec was sentenced in U.S. District Court in San Diego by the Honorable Larry A. Burns to serve the mandatory-minimum sentence of thirty (30) years in prison. The sentence is based on Jakubec’s conviction for two counts of carrying a firearm during and in relation to crimes of violence, that is, the November 13, 2009 robbery of the Bank of America, located at 1190 East Ocean Air Drive, San Diego, California, and the November 27, 2009 attempted robbery of the same bank branch. Jakubec entered his guilty pleas on March 14, 2010. In addition to pleading to these two counts, Jakubec took responsibility in his plea agreement for the conduct alleged in all counts of the indictment.More »
Courthouse Bombing Suspect Found Guilty
June 6, 2011
United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that Donny Love, Sr., was found guilty by a federal jury earlier today in United States District Court in San Diego of the use of a weapon of mass destruction and other charges, arising from the bombing of the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Courthouse in San Diego on May 4, 2008. The verdict follows a two–week trial before the Honorable M. Margaret McKeown.More »
Arson fire at a Yermo church
June 3, 2011
Francisco Flores Wanted Poster
Multi-agency Investigation Targets Riverside-area Gangs
June 3, 2011
Arson Fires at 1737 E. 7th Street & 1441 E. 7th Street
May 20, 2011
The Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) Arson Unit is looking for the public’s help in identifying and apprehending an arson suspect. More »
ATF Undercover Storefront Nabs 19 in Venice, Culver City Area
May 4, 2011
LOS ANGELES – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) today announced the arrests of 19 defendants, for various firearm and narcotics violations during an investigation dubbed, Operation Villainz Ink.More »
Transient Indicted on Federal Explosives Charges Related to Blast Outside Santa Monica Synagogue
May 3, 2011
LOS ANGELES — A federal grand jury today named a homeless man in a four–count indictment that accuses him of detonating an explosive device outside the Chabad House in Santa Monica last month.More »
Operation Pirate Town Targets Over 200 Violent Criminals Linked to Rancho San Pedro Gang
April 28, 2011
LOS ANGELES – More than 1,300 law enforcement officers this morning fanned out across the San Pedro area, arresting 80 alleged members and associates of the Rancho San Pedro gang, otherwise known as RSP.
Over 230 individuals are named in both federal and state court documents that allege a host of crimes including violent acts and firearms and narcotics trafficking. This morning’s massive operation stems from a 2 ½- year investigation initiated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) that uncovered a wide range of criminal activities related to the gang.More »
Francisco Flores Wanted Poster
Violent Felon From Yuma Sentenced to 40 Months in Prison for Illegally Obtaining and Possessing Firearms, Ammunition, and Body Armor
April 12, 2011
PHOENIX — U.S. District Judge Neil V. Wake sentenced Randy Trey Westbrook, of Yuma, Ariz., to 40 months in prison for conspiring with his now ex–wife to illegally obtain and possess an array of handguns and shotguns and over 2,000 rounds of ammunition. Westbrook, 43, was sentenced on Monday.More »
Man Arrested in Cleveland Positively Identified as Ron Hirsh, Subject Wanted in Connection with Synagogue Explosion, Charged in Federal Warrant
April 11, 2011
Ron Hirsch, 60, a transient, was arrested in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, Monday evening after officers with the Cleveland Heights Police Department were contacted by a local resident with whom Hirsch had come into contact, announced Steven Martinez, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI in Los Angeles; Tim Jackman, Chief of the Santa Monica Police Department; and John Torres, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. More »
ATF Los Angeles Hosts Citizens’ Academy
March 31, 2011
LOS ANGELES — John A. Torres, Special Agent in Charge of the Los Angeles Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), announced the commencement of the latest class of the ATF Citizens’ Academy
presented by the Los Angeles Field Division. The academy, which began March 30 and runs through May 18, was designed to create a greater understanding of ATF’s role in the community through education and open discussion.More »
Australian Citizen Arrested on Weapons Charges
March 22, 2011
LOS ANGELES — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) announced the arrest of Elie Malkoun, a 53 year old citizen of Australia, for possession of a firearm by a non–immigrant visa holder.More »
Guilty Plea — George Djura Jakubec
March 14, 2011
United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that George Djura Jakubec, 54, pled guilty today in federal court in San Diego before the Honorable Larry A. Burns to two counts of carrying a firearm during and in relation to crimes of violence, that is, the November 13, 2009 robbery of the Bank of America, located at 1190 East Ocean Air Drive, San Diego, California, and the November 27, 2009 attempted robbery of the same bank branch – charges that carry a mandatory–minimum sentence of thirty (30) years’ imprisonment.More »
ATF Explosives Detection Canines Play Major Role at Super Bowl XLV
Los Angeles 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. Silva and Marianne are based in Los Angeles 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 »
Rackeetering Indictment Targets 38th Street Gang
February 2, 2011
LOS ANGELES — Nearly 800 law enforcement officers this morning targeted members and associates of the 38th Street gang, arresting dozens of defendants, many of whom are named in a federal racketeering indictment that alleges a host of violent crimes, large-scale drug trafficking and extortion of both drug dealers and legitimate businesses.More »
Federal Explosives Licensee Forfeits $29,000 for Alleged Storage Violations
January 24, 2011
LOS ANGELES — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) announced today that Pyro Spectaculars, Inc., (PSI), a Federal Explosives Licensee located in Rialto, has agreed to forfeit the sum of $29,000 representing proceeds from an alleged violation of Federal explosives laws. PSI agreed to forfeit the proceeds for the over storage of approximately 62,000 pounds of explosives stored in excess of individual container limits.More »
2010 Southern California Gun Data
January 19, 2011
LOS ANGELES — John A. Torres, special agent in charge of the Los Angeles Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), announces the release of aggregate trace data for crime guns submitted to ATF for tracing for calendar year 2010.More »
Gang Member Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking
January 14, 2011
LOS ANGELES — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) announced today that on Dec. 7, a Long beach area gang member who was arrested in 2008 as part of a large ATF investigation dubbed Operation Rock Pile
was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison for selling crack cocaine by United States District Judge Valerie Fairbank.More »
Lead Defendant in Massive Racketeering Case that Targeted Hawaiian Gardens Gang Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Wide-Ranging Drug Trafficking Activities
January 10, 2011
LOS ANGELES — The lead defendant in a federal RICO indictment that was brought as part of the nation’s largest-ever gang sweep was sentenced today to 30 years in federal prison for helping coordinate the racketeering activities of the Varrio Hawaiian Gardens street gang and distributing large quantities of narcotics. More »
