Seattle Field Division
Photo used under Creative Commons from Wikimedia user Cacophony
Welcome to Seattle Field Division, ATF’s largest geographic division in the country. We cover Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, Hawaii and Guam. Our dedicated work force is comprised of special agents, investigators, auditors, technicians and support staff.
ATF has the duty to regulate the firearms and explosives industries. Our goal is to ensure that all firearms and explosives are stored, handled and sold in a safe and legal manner. In the Northwest, this includes construction and mining industries who use explosives routinely in their business.
In addition to regulatory functions, the investigative priorities of the Seattle Field Division include firearms trafficking, gang violence, bombings/explosives and tobacco diversion. The modernization of our National Firearms Tracing Center and the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network has contributed to the success of these initiatives.
ATF Seattle is committed to reducing violent crime in our neighborhoods and has created a multi-agency Violent Crime Gang Task Force in partnership with state and local law enforcement agencies. Some of our more notable violent crime investigations have involved the Bandidos, East African Posse and Surenos gangs. Seattle is also home to the newest ATF Crime Gun Center.
ATF Seattle proactively investigates violations of federal law pertaining to firearms, arson and explosives. We work jointly with state and local fire departments and police departments in a myriad of complex investigations, to include serial arsons, fatality bombings and domestic/ international firearms trafficking.
We encourage all residents in the Seattle Field Division to be diligent in the fight against crime and to get involved in their communities. For additional resources, information, questions and opportunities - please give us a call. Our phone number is (206) 389-5800.
Kelvin N. Crenshaw
Division Management Team
- Kelvin N. Crenshaw
- Special Agent In Charge (SAC)
- Mark A. Leiser
- Assistant Special Agent In Charge (ASAC)
- James C. Modzelewski
- Assistant Special Agent In Charge (ASAC)
- Janet C. Van Haelst
- Director of Industry Operations (DIO)
- Cheryl D. Bishop
- Public Information Officer (PIO)
Division Contact Information
Receive Seattle Press Release Updates
Crook County Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing a Loaded Firearm After Being Convicted For A Crime Of Domestic Violence
Febuary 14, 2013
EUGENE, Ore. – Willard Bryan Wilhelm, 33, of Crook County, Oregon, pleaded guilty today to possessing a firearm and ammunition after being convicted in an Oregon court of the misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. More »
Nampa Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing a Sawed-Off Shotgun
Febuary 07, 2013
BOISE — Kenneth Lee Morgan, 51, of Nampa, Idaho, pleaded guilty today in United States District Court in Boise to possession of an unregistered firearm, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. In court today Morgan admitted that on April 18, 2011, he was in possession of a sawed-off shotgun. According to information presented in court, the Winchester 12 gauge sawed-off shotgun was recovered by law enforcement agents after Morgan sold the shotgun to another individual. More »
Former Payette Man Sentenced to 37 Years for Conspiracy, Arson and Theft
Febuary 05, 2013
BOISE — Donovan James Bolen, 23, of Fruitland, Idaho, was sentenced today in United States District Court in Boise to 444 months in prison for carrying and using explosive devises during and in relation to a federal crime of violence; conspiracy to maliciously use explosive materials; conspiracy to maliciously damage federal property; and theft of firearms, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Bolen to serve five years of supervised release and pay $162,124.87 in restitution to the victims, Western Core Door, Inc. and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. More »
Felon Sentenced to 5+ Years in Prison Ffor Trafficking High Powered Weapons
Febuary 01, 2013
Seattle, WA. — A convicted felon who trafficked in multiple high powered firearms, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 66 months in prison and three years of supervised release for Conspiracy to Unlawfully Deal in Firearms and being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan. More »
Gang Member Felon Sentenced to Serve 63 Months in Federal Prison for Possession of Firearm
January 18, 2013
PORTLAND, Ore. — Timothy Gaines 20, of Portland, Oregon, was sentenced yesterday by U. S. District Judge Michael Simon to 63 months in prison, to be followed by a three–year term of supervised release, for felon in possession of a firearm. This sentence represents the high–end of the sentencing range (51–63 months). More »
Armed Career Criminal Sentenced to 188 Months Imprisonment
January 10, 2013
Yakima — Michael C. Ormsby, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that David Allen Vickers, age 40, of Yakima, Washington , was sentenced for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Senior District Court Judge Fred Van Sickle determined that, based on Vickers’ lengthy criminal history which includes convictions for violent crimes and drug trafficking, he is an armed career criminal. More »
Fairbanks Residents Sentenced for Conspiracy to Murder Public Officials and Weapons Violations
January 9, 2013
Anchorage, Alaska B U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced today that Francis Schaffer Cox, the self–described leader of the Fairbanks based Alaska Peacemakers Militia, was sentenced to 310 months (25 years, 10 months) in prison by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Robert J. Bryan for Conspiracy to Murder Federal Officials, Solicitation to Commit Murder, and several other federal firearms offenses involving machine guns, silencers, and destructive devices. More »
Grants Pass Man Sentenced to 77 Months in Prison for Possessing Firearm
January 8, 2013
MEDFORD, Ore. — On Monday, January 7, 2013, U.S. District Judge Owen M. Panner sentenced David Maurice Garrick, 43, of Grants Pass, Oregon, to 77 months in federal prison based on his previous guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm. More »
