Philadelphia Field Division
Photo used under Creative Commons from Wikimedia user Parent5446
Welcome to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Philadelphia Field Division. Our Division is responsible for ATF criminal enforcement and industry regulatory activities in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Our dedicated work force is comprised of special agents, investigators, canine handlers, auditors, technicians, legal counsel and support staff.
ATF is committed to reducing violent crime in our neighborhoods. The Special Agents of the Philadelphia Field Division combat firearm violence by focusing their investigative efforts on armed violent offenders, career criminals, gangs and gun traffickers. In order to accomplish this mission, we work in partnership with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
Explosives and arson enforcement are an integral part of ATF’s overall violent crime reduction strategy. ATF’s Philadelphia Field Division special agents combat arson and explosive-related crimes by conducting independent investigations and by working in partnership with local and state fire investigators and police bomb squads. Also, ATF provides post-blast training for local investigators and bomb technicians.
ATF also has the duty of regulating the firearms and explosives industry. The Industry Operations Investigators work to ensure that all firearms are stored, handled and accounted for in a safe manner according to law. Investigators conduct periodic inspections of firearms and explosives licensees. ATF Industry Investigators play an integral part in preventing domestic and international firearms trafficking.
We encourage all residents to get involved and assist us in our goal of reducing crime in our communities. If community members have information regarding any violent criminal activity in this region, do not hesitate to contact the Philadelphia Division at (215) 446-7800.
Sheree L. Mixell
Division Management Team
- Sheree L. Mixell
- Special Agent In Charge (SAC)
- Essam E. Rabadi
- Assistant Special Agent In Charge (ASAC)
- Donald G. Robinson
- Assistant Special Agent In Charge (ASAC)
- Alphonso Hughes
- Director of Industry Operations (DIO)
- Steven Bartholomew
- Public Information Officer (PIO)
Division Contact Information
Receive Philadelphia Press Release Updates
Multiple Indictments in Gun Trafficking Crackdown
August 9, 2012
PHILADELPHIA – A group of 11 indictments, naming 22 defendants, was unsealed today as a result of an undercover investigation into illegal gun trafficking by the ATF.More »
Targeting Philadelphia Area Gun Crime
August 8, 2012
Philadelphia – Sheree L. Mixell, Special Agent in Charge of the Philadelphia Field Division of the U.S. ATF today announced the launching of an advertising campaign in Philadelphia, PA., in an attempt to encourage the public to report firearm-related crimes.More »
Attorney General Eric Holder and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter Announce Partnership to Combat Violent Crime
July 24, 2012
WASHINGTON – Attorney General Eric Holder and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter today announced the Department of Justice (DOJ) and city of Philadelphia's Violent Crime Reduction Partnership (VCRP), which directs additional federal agents and technological resources to assist local law enforcement in combating violent crime.More »
Man Charged with Attempting to Carry on an Explosive Device on a Plane
March 29, 2012
Joseph Picklo, 29, of Dallas, PA, was charged today by criminal complaint with attempting to carry on an explosive device on a plane, following an incident at Philadelphia International Airport. Picklo was being screened for a United Airlines flight to San Francisco this morning when a plastic bottle filled with an explosive substance was found in his luggage. Picklo was arrested by the Philadelphia Police Department. He was transferred to federal custody this afternoon. He made an initial appearance in federal magistrate’s court today and had a Federal Defender appointed to represent him. A continuance was granted until tomorrow at 1:30pm.More »
ATF Names New Leader for Philadelphia Field Division
December 15, 2011
PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced the appointment of Sheree L. Mixell as the Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Philadelphia Field Division, in December 2011.More »
Superseding Indictment in Racketeering Case Filed Against Violent Southwest Philadelphia Drug Gang
September 14, 2011
A superseding indictment was unsealed today adding three additional defendants and 16 additional counts against members of the Harlem Boys
, a violent street gang operating in Southwest Philadelphia’s Bartram Village Housing Development (BVHD
). Among the new charges are several crimes of violence and threats in aid of racketeering, Hobbs Act robberies, and drug distribution counts.More »
Violent Armed Robber Sentenced to 158 Years in Prison
August 4, 2011
ALLENTOWN, PA — Robert J. Pennington, 25, of Reading, PA, was sentenced today to 158 years in prison in connection with multiple armed robberies committed between December 27, 2007 and February 4, 2008 during which delivery truck drivers were assaulted and robbed at gunpoint in Reading, Pennsylvania, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger and Berks County District Attorney John Adams. A federal jury convicted Pennington on March 8, 2011, of 16 counts including one count of conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery, one count of attempted interference with interstate commerce by robbery, seven counts of interference with interstate commerce by robbery, and seven counts of using and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence.More »
US Attorney Statement on Guilty Verdict Against Collarbomb Defendant Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong
November 1, 2010
U.S. Attorney David J. Hickton issued the following statement regarding the guilty verdict in the case of US v. Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong… More »
Violent Southwest Philadelphia Drug Gang Indicted for Racketeering
October 6, 2010
An indictment was unsealed today against members of the so-called “Harlem Boys,” charged in a conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise and other crimes, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger, Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Potter with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey. More »