Washington Field Division
Photo used under Creative Commons from Wikimedia user Andrew Bossi
Welcome to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Washington Field Division. Our Division is responsible for ATF criminal enforcement and industry regulatory activities in the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and seven counties in the panhandle of West Virginia. Our dedicated work force is comprised of special agents, investigators, auditors, technicians and support staff.
ATF is committed to reducing violent crime in our neighborhoods. ATF’s Washington Field Division special agents combat firearms violence by focusing their investigative efforts on armed violent offenders, career criminals, gun traffickers, gangs and tobacco diversion. The Washington Field Division is home to one of the most successful Violent Crime Impact Teams (VCIT) teams in the country. Our VCIT team is based in Richmond Virginia, and ATF Special Agents work side by side with the Richmond Police Department and Virginia State Police to put the “worst of the worst” in jail so the citizens of Richmond can enjoy their community and neighborhoods.
Explosives and arson enforcement is an integral part of ATF’s overall violent crime reduction strategy. ATF’s Washington Field Division special agents combat arson and explosives-related crimes by conducting independent investigations and by working in partnership with local and state fire investigators and police bomb squads. In the District of Columbia ATF has formed an arson task force with the Metropolitan Police Department and the DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department that responds to fires where there are injuries or fatalities.
ATF also has the duty of regulating the firearms and explosives industries. Our industry operations investigators work to ensure that all firearms and explosives are stored, handled and sold in a safe manner according to law.
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 (202) 648-8010.
Richard Marianos
Division Management Team
- James Newman
- Acting Special Agent In Charge (SAC)
- James Newman
- Assistant Special Agent In Charge (ASAC)
- John Cooper
- Assistant Special Agent In Charge (ASAC)
- Gary Bangs
- Director of Industry Operations (DIO)
- Janice Kemp
- Public Information Officer (PIO)
Division Contact Information
Receive Washington Press Release Updates
MPD Announces Charges in Drug Take-Down
February 1, 2013
(Washington, DC) — The Metropolitan Police Department’s Third District Vice Unit along with detectives from the Narcotics and Special Investigations Division and agents of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced the arrest of nine individuals following a months–long investigation into violence and drug dealing in the Shaw community. Charges include firearms violations, drug distribution and robbery. More »
Maryland Man Sentenced for Car Jacking a Sears Delivery Truck
January 31, 2013
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Antonio Daniel McGhee of Essex, Md. was sentenced today to a total of 244 months in prison. McGhee was convicted by a federal jury on June 22, 2012, on charges of conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery, carjacking, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. More »
Ten Men Indicted on Prescription Drug Charges
January 31, 2013
LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA – A Federal Grand Jury sitting in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Roanoke has charged ten individuals with conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute and distribution of a variety of prescription drugs, as well as other charges. More »
North Carolina Man Sentenced in Murder Plot
January 30, 2013
DANVILLE, VIRGINIA – A North Carolina man who previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute marijuana and murder charges, was sentenced yesterday in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia. More »
Hampton Man Pleads Guilty to Robbery and Firearm Charges
January 28, 2013
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Christian Johnson, 24, of Hampton, pled guilty today to robbery, as well as possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Johnson was set to begin trial today in Norfolk Federal Court. More »
Winchester Woman Accused of Making False Statements while Purchasing Firearm
January 28, 2013
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Brita Lanette Jackson, 51, of Winchester, Va., was arrested today accused of making a false statement in connection with the purchase of a firearm. More »
ATF Washington Field Division Releases
Investigations for Fiscal Year Second Half 2012
January 23, 2013
WASHINGTON – Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Washington Field Division Acting Special Agent in Charge (SAC) James D. Newman today released a list of the top investigations undertaken during the second half of fiscal year 2012 (April 1, 2012 – Dec. 31, 2012). More »
Manassas Woman Indicted After Allegedly Purchasing More Than 25 Firearms in 15 Days
January 11, 2013
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Kimberly Yvette Dinkins, 44, of Manassas, Va., has been indicted by a federal grand jury accused of purchasing more than 25 firearms to illegally sell to others, along with lying to federal agents about those purchases. More »
Former Pennington Gap Police Chief Pleads Guilty to Drug Conspiracy and Burglary Charges
January 7, 2013
ABINGDON, VIRGINIA – The former police chief of the Pennington Gap Virginia Police Department pleaded guilty this morning to felony charges related to his involvement in the distribution of prescription pain killers and the burglary of a pharmacy. More »