Dallas Field Division
Photo used under Creative Commons from Wikimedia user Drumguy8800
Welcome to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Dallas Field Division. Our Division is responsible for ATF criminal enforcement and industry regulatory activities in the Northern half of Texas (Tyler to El Paso), as well as the State of Oklahoma. Our dedicated work force is comprised of special agents, investigators, explosive enforcement officers, canine handlers, auditors, technicians, legal counsel and support staff. Additionally, one of five ATF Special Response Teams (SRT) is based in Dallas.
ATF is committed to reducing violent crime in our neighborhoods. The Special Agents of the Dallas Division combat firearm violence by focusing their investigative efforts on armed violent offenders, career criminals, gangs and gun traffickers. This includes efforts to stem the flow of firearms into Mexico which fuels the violence among the drug cartels. We also work in partnership with other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies throughout Texas and Oklahoma to accomplish this mission.
Explosives and arson enforcement are an integral part of ATF’s overall violent crime reduction strategy. ATF’s Dallas 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’s explosives expertise will be utilized for security purposes when Super Bowl XLV comes to Arlington, Texas in February of 2011.
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 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 Dallas division at (469) 227-4300.
Robert R. Champion
Division Management Team
- Robert R. Champion
- Special Agent In Charge (SAC)
- Carl Walker
- Assistant Special Agent In Charge (ASAC)
- Paul Vanderplow
- Assistant Special Agent In Charge (ASAC)
- Megan A. Bennett
- Director of Industry Operations (DIO)
- Andrew Young
- Public Information Officer (PIO)
Division Contact Information
Receive Dallas Press Release Updates
Federal Jury Finds Rowlett, Texas, Man Guilty of Selling Firearms Without a License
February 8, 2013
Dallas, Texas — Following nearly a week of trial and deliberation, a federal jury has found Jackie Don Burke, 68, of Rowlett, Texas, guilty of engaging in the business of firearms without a license, announced U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña of the Northern District of Texas. Burke faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He will remain on bond pending sentencing, which is set for May 24, 2013, before U.S. District Judge Barbara M. G. Lynn. More »
Big Spring, Texas, Man Sentenced to 87 Months in Federal Prison on Cocaine Conviction
February 07, 2013
Lubbock, Texas — Gabriel Aguilar, 35, of Big Spring, Texas, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings to 87 months in federal prison, following his guilty plea in October 2012 to an Information charging one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña of the Northern District of Texas. Judge Cummings remanded Aguilar, who had been on bond, to the custody of the U.S. Marshal. More »
Abilene Man Sentenced to 18 Years in Federal Prison on Conspiracy, Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Marijuana and Firearm Convictions
January 31, 2013
ABILENE, Texas — Joshua Cisneros, 29, of Abilene, Texas, was sentenced yesterday afternoon by U.S. District Judge Jorge A. Solis, in federal court in Abilene, to a total of 18 years in federal prison. More »
Fort Worth Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison on Federal Firearms Convictions
January 18, 2013
FORT WORTH, Texas — Booker Bernard Preston, 38, of Fort Worth, Texas, was sentenced this morning by U.S. District Judge John McBryde to a total of 10 years in federal prison, following his conviction at trial in September 2012 on one count of selling a firearm to a convicted felon and one count of possessing an unregistered sawed–off shotgun. More »
Federal Grand Jury Indicts 20 in Marijuana Trafficking Conspiracy
January 18, 2013
DALLAS — A federal indictment, returned by a grand jury in Dallas last month, charging 20 Dallas-Fort Worth area residents with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana, has been unsealed. More »
Former Convicted Felon and Gang Member to Serve 46 Months in Prison for Possession of Firearms Purchased at Gun Show
January 16, 2013
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma — JORDAN ABE CHAVIRA, 22, of Oklahoma City, was sentenced by United States District Judge Stephen P. Friot to serve 46 months in prison for unlawful possession of firearms as a prior convicted felon, announced Sanford C. Coats, United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma. The firearms were purchased at a local gun show. More »
Federal Grand Jury Charges Fort Worth Man With Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Fraudulent Production of an Identification Document
January 9, 2013
DALLAS — A federal grand jury in Dallas returned an indictment late yesterday charging Azeez Ahmed Al–Ghaziani with one count of possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of a controlled substance and one count of fraudulent production of an identification document. More »
Three Indicted in Connection with Odessa–Based Firearms Straw Purchasing and Trafficking Investigation
January 8, 2013
Federal authorities last night arrested the remaining defendant, Odessa, TX, resident Brian Connell, age 28, charged in connection with a firearms straw purchasing and trafficking investigation announced United States Attorney Robert Pitman and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Dallas Field Office Special Agent in Charge Robert Champion. More »