Detroit Field Division
Photo used under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 1.0 Generic license from Wikipedia user Shawn Wilson
Welcome to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in Detroit, Michigan. Our Division has the responsibility of enforcing the Federal laws and regulations that fall under ATF jurisdiction throughout the State of Michigan.
ATF is committed to protecting the public and reducing violent crime in neighborhoods across Michigan, and we do so by working in teams that focus on different aspects of the Division’s mission. Individual cases may originate within one team, but a spirit of collaboration within our Division and with our international, Federal, State, and local partners is often key to successful investigations.
Detroit 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 international, Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies in Michigan, the rest of the United States, and Canada to accomplish this mission.
Explosives and arson enforcement is an integral part of ATF’s overall violent crime reduction strategy, and the Division is home to certified explosives specialists, certified fire investigators, a K-9 arson detection unit, and a K-9 explosives detection unit. Detroit Field Division special agents combat arson, explosives, and tobacco-related crimes by conducting independent investigations and by working in partnership with State and local fire investigators, bomb squads, and tobacco units.
ATF also enforces the Federal laws and regulations governing the firearms and explosives commercial retail industries. Detroit Field Division industry operations investigators (IOI) serve as the frontline in achieving this essential mission in Michigan. Division IOIs work with private industry and our law enforcement partners to ensure that all firearms and explosives are stored, handled, and sold in a safe manner and according to law.
We encourage all Michigan residents to become our partners also, by assisting us in our goal of safeguarding our communities. If you have information regarding violent criminal activity in our State, do not hesitate to contact ATF at (313) 202-3400.
David McCain
Division Management Team
- David McCain
- Special Agent In Charge (SAC)
- William A. Temple
- Assistant Special Agent In Charge (ASAC)
- S. Robin Shoemaker
- Assistant Special Agent In Charge (ASAC)
- Curtis W. Gilbert
- Director of Industry Operations (DIO)
- Donald Dawkins
- Public Information Officer (PIO)
Division Contact Information
Receive Detroit Press Release Updates
15 Individuals Indicted in Large Scale Drug Conspiracy Case
January 10, 2011
Fifteen individuals have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Detroit on federal charges, United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade announced. Ms. McQuade was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Robert L. Corso, Drug Enforcement Administration, Special Agent in Charge David McCain, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Special Agent in Charge Andrew Arena, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Special Agent in Charge Erick Martinez, Internal Revenue Service–Criminal Investigation.More »
Lansing Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Possession of Firearms
December 19, 2011
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — Christopher Joseph Atkins, 28, of Lansing, Michigan, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for his possession of firearms and body armor. A jury convicted Mr. Atkins of these offenses in July, 2011. U.S. District Judge Robert J. Jonker imposed the sentence.More »
Detroit Man Sentenced for Arson in August 2010 Blaze that Injured 7 Detroit Firefighters
December 1, 2011
A 41–year–old Detroit man was sentenced today to 15 years after having been found guilty of one count of Malicious Use of Fire Resulting in Injury on July 8, 2011 by a federal jury in Ann Arbor, Michigan, announced United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade. Ms. McQuade was joined in the announcement by Acting Special Agent in Charge William Temple, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).More »
Detroit Man Sentenced for the August 2010 Arson that Injured 7 Detroit Firefighters
September 21, 2011
Samson Wright, age 31, of Detroit was sentenced today to 15 years in federal prison after having pleaded guilty to Malicious Use of Fire Resulting in Injury, announced United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade. McQuade was joined in the announcement by Acting Special Agent in Charge William Temple, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).More »
ATF Offers $10,000 Reward
September 21, 2011
DETROIT — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the car explosion that occurred Tuesday at approximately 5:40 p.m. near East Elm Avenue and Interstate Highway 75, Monroe, Mich., located about 35 miles southwest of Detroit.More »
ATF Offers $2,500 Reward for Information on Death of 5–Year–Old Girl
August 4, 2011
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is offering a reward of $2,500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the death of 5–year–old Mariah Trenice Smith, said Robin Shoemaker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Detroit Field Division.More »
Defendant Sentenced to 22 Years in Pontiac Drug Trafficking Case
July 29, 2011
A 28–year–old Pontiac man who led a conspiracy to distribute in excess of 4 kilograms of cocaine base (crack) and 2 kilograms of cocaine in and around the Pontiac area was sentenced today by Federal District Court Judge Nancy G. Edmunds to a period of imprisonment of 22 years in federal prison, United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade announced today.More »
Detroit Man Convicted of Arson in August 2010 Blaze that Injured 7 Detroit Firefighters
July 13, 2011
DETROIT — A 41–year–old Detroit man was found guilty of one count of Malicious Use of Fire Resulting in Injury on Friday by a federal jury in Ann Arbor, Mich., announced United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade. McQuade was joined in the announcement by Robin Shoemaker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Detroit Field Division.More »
Police Encourage Safety First This Fourth of July
July 1, 2011
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Michigan State Police (MSP) are encouraging citizens to be safe with fireworks this Fourth of July. Illegal or improperly used fireworks can cause severe injuries or deathMore »
ATF and Detroit Tigers Celebrate 17-Year GREAT
Partnership and the Anti-gang Program's 20th Anniversary
May 25, 2011
DETROIT – Assistant Special Agent in Charge William Temple of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) announced that today’s baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and the Tampa Bay Rays marks a 17-year partnership between ATF and the Detroit Tigers Organization with the Gang Resistance Education And Training GREAT
anti-gang program. Additionally, this year marks the 20th anniversary of the national GREAT program.More »
$2,500 Reward Offered for Information on Explosive Devices Found in Trenton
May 6, 2011
TRENTON, Mich. — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is offering a reward of $2,500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for leaving two explosive devices in Trenton, Mich., on April 28. A suspected explosives device was discovered at the Trenton High School and another device was discovered at the Trafford Square Shopping Center.More »
ATF Offers $1,000 Reward for Information on Firearms Theft from Jerry’s Gunsmithing
April 25, 2011
FLINT, MICH. — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the recovery of firearms and/or the arrest and conviction of the individuals responsible for the April 23 break–in and theft of firearms from Jerry’s Gunsmithing and Black Powder Shop, a Federal Firearms Licensee located in Chesaning Township.More »
ATF Offers $2,000 Reward for Information on Firearms Theft from Parrot’s Outpost
February 28, 2011
FLINT, MICH. – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is offering a reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to the recovery of firearms and/or the arrest and conviction of the individuals responsible for the Feb. 27 break-in and theft of 15 firearms from Parrott’s Outpost, a Federal Firearms Licensee located in Onaway. More »
Rewards of Up to $10,000 Offered For Information On Legends Bar and Restaurant Arson
February 17, 2011
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is offering a reward of $5, 000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the Oct. 26, 2009 arson fire of Legends Bar and Restaurant, 68925 M-62, Edwardsburg, Mich. More »
ATF Offers $5, 000 Reward for Information on Assault of 84-Year Old Man
February 10, 2011
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is offering a reward of $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual responsible for the assault of Paul McDermott, an 84-year-old resident of Detroit, said Thomas Brandon, Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the ATF Detroit Field Division.More »
ATF Offers $5,000 Reward in Gun Store Burglary
July 15, 2010
Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Thomas E. Brandon of the Detroit Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), today announced a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the burglary of Flanary’s Performance Center & Guns, a federally licensed firearms (FFL) dealer, located at 153 Merriman Rd., Garden City, Michigan. More »
Police Encourage Safety First This Fourth of July
July 2, 2010
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Michigan State Police (MSP) are encouraging citizens to be safe with fireworks this Fourth of July. Illegal or improperly used fireworks can cause severe injuries or death. More »
Law Enforcement Partners Step Up Efforts to Reduce Violent Crime
July 1, 2010
That is the sentiment of local law enforcement leaders as the city of Detroit crosses into the second half of 2010 with a 25% reduction in homicides and a 20% reduction in non-fatal shootings compared to the same point last year. So they are upping the ante. More »
Federal Arrest Warrant and Search Warrant Served in Firearms Theft Case
February 23, 2010
Special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and detectives from the Saginaw County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) on February 22, 2010, arrested an individual identified as Joshua BRUFF of Owosso, Mich, for alleged violations of federal firearms laws. More »