Tallahassee, Florida – John Caleb Allen, 26, of Bristol, Florida, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for two counts of attempted murder of a federal agent; two counts of forcibly assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon; two counts of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; two counts of transfer of a machinegun; possession of an unregistered or unmarked silencer; and making a false statement to a federal firearm licensee. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. 

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “The case exemplifies the incredible danger our brave men and women in law enforcement face as they keep our communities safe from violent offenders like this defendant. The bravery of these ATF agents is matched only by the incredible professionalism with which they acted when they came under withering fire from the defendant.  As the substantial sentence imposed on this defendant shows, attacks on law enforcement will be prosecuted by my office to the fullest extent of the law.”

Evidence at trial demonstrated that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) had been investigating the defendant for the illegal sale of machine gun conversion devices (MCDs). On June 3, 2025, ATF used a confidential source to purchase a firearm and a MCD from the defendant. One June 23, 2025, ATF used a confidential source to purchase 13 MCDs and two firearms from the defendant. Officers watched the defendant pick up the two firearms he sold to the confidential source from a federal firearms licensee (FFL), where he lied on ATF Form 4473. Based on their investigation, ATF obtained a federal search warrant for the defendant’s house.

While attempting to execute the search warrant, the defendant fired at the ATF agents approximately 14 times as they approached his front door. One of the officers had a bullet pass through his shirtsleeve and another officer was struck by a bullet in his body armor, but neither was seriously injured. Without returning fire, agents were able to get the defendant to peacefully exit the residence with his hands up several minutes later.

Agents located numerous firearms, including an unregistered firearm silencer, during the residential search.

“This investigation revealed extreme criminal behavior deserving of a steep penalty,” said ATF Tampa Field Division’s Special Agent in Charge Kirk Howard. “Florida residents are much safer with violent criminals like this individual in federal prison.”

Liberty County Sheriff Dusty Arnold said: “This sentence sends a clear message that violence against law enforcement officers will not be tolerated. Every day, law enforcement officers at the local, state, and federal levels put their lives on the line to protect our communities. In this case, ATF agents came under gunfire while simply carrying out their sworn duties, yet they responded with incredible professionalism, restraint, and courage.

I am grateful that no officers lost their lives during this incident and commend the ATF, DEA, and all agencies involved for their outstanding work throughout this investigation. The Liberty County Sheriff's Office was proud to assist in this case, and we remain committed to standing alongside our law enforcement partners to ensure violent offenders are held accountable for their actions.”

The case involved a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain prosecuted the case.

“The men and women in law enforcement serve daily to protect our communities, state, and nation. Attacks on law enforcement officers, like the one committed in this case, will not be tolerated.” said FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass “The safety of our law enforcement brothers and sisters is essential to our families, communities, visitors, and the great state of Florida.”

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.  To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.

ATF Offers $5,000 Reward in Theft of 138 Firearms

Help in Theft of Firearms From a Storage Trailer

Colorado Springs — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Denver Field Division, in conjunction with the Colorado Springs Police Department and the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the trade association for the firearms industry, are offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information or evidence related to those involved in the theft of 138 firearms, valued at over $100,000, from a storage trailer belonging to a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) who was traveling to attend a gun show.

The theft from the FFL storage trailer occurred on the morning of March 27 while parked at Hampton Inn by Hilton Colorado Springs-Airport located at 2077 Aerotech Dr., Colorado Springs, Colorado. One suspect has been arrested by the Colorado Springs Police Department, a U-Haul van used in the crime has since been recovered and the stolen firearms are largely unrecovered at this time. The ongoing investigation is being conducted jointly by the Colorado Springs Police Department and the ATF Denver Field Division, Colorado Springs Field Office.

Anyone with information about this burglary should contact ATF at (888) ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477) or the Colorado Springs Police Department at 719-444-7000. Information can also be sent to ATFTips@atf.govor through ATF’s website at www.atf.gov/contact/atftips. Tips can be submitted anonymously using the Reportit® app, available from both Google Play and the Apple App store, or by visiting www.reportit.com.

ATF regulates the firearm industry and is the federal law enforcement agency with jurisdiction for investigating fires and explosions. More information about ATF and its programs is available at www.atf.gov.

DEA and United Against Fentanyl Announce National Partnership for Walk for Lives 2026

WASHINGTON –Today, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and United Against Fentanyl (UAF) announced a national partnership in support of DEA’s Fentanyl Free America initiative. Walk for Lives 2026 is a coordinated series of more than 100 family-led community events across the United States on July 11, 2026. These events aim to bring increased attention to one of the country’s greatest public safety and health threats by uniting the federal government’s lead drug enforcement agency with the nation’s largest non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to ending the fentanyl crisis.

Walk for Lives events are organized by bereaved family members - typically parents who lost children to fentanyl-related deaths – and supported by trained volunteer leadership teams and community partners from the public and private sector. Each event will feature a one-mile walk, family testimonials, expert-led educational presentations, and a community resource fair connecting participants to lifesaving services including prevention education, recovery support, and grief counseling.

The partnership advances DEA’s Fentanyl Free America initiative, which launched in 2025 to combat the synthetic drug crisis through three pillars: Protect, Prevent, and Support. Walk for Lives delivers on all three pillars by protecting communities through awareness, preventing fentanyl poisonings through education, and supporting those most impacted through direct access to local resources.

Fentanyl-related overdoses and poisonings remain the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18-45.  On average, nine high school students die each week from a drug-related death.  More than one million parents throughout the United States grieve the loss of a child to a drug-related death.

Since the launch of the Fentanyl Free America initiative, DEA has seized 22 million fentanyl pills and 3,330 kilograms of fentanyl powder.

Walk for Lives 2026 builds on UAF’s current momentum and proven results. In September 2025, UAF hosted its inaugural Walk for Lives, which mobilized 46 walks across 26 states, engaging approximately 3,000 participants.

“Fentanyl Free America is a nationwide effort to save lives and protect Americans from the deadliest drug threat our nation has ever faced,” said DEA Administrator Terrance C. Cole. “In partnership with United Against Fentanyl, communities across the country will participate in hundreds of awareness and education events on a single day, demonstrating that prevention is everyone’s responsibility. By working together and speaking with one voice we can raise awareness, prevent future tragedies, support affected families, and build a safer, healthier, and Fentanyl Free America.”

“I’ve watched DEA show unwavering support to survivors while delivering lifesaving education nationwide,” said Paul Martin, Founder and CEO of UAF. “Walk for Lives shows that when families, law enforcement, healthcare providers, faith communities, educators, businesses, and nonprofits unite, our reach grows. This partnership underscores the importance of public and private sectors standing together against the leading killer of young Americans.”

Visit Walkforlives.org to learn how to get involved in Walk for Lives 2026, including locations and registration. For free prevention resources and educational materials visit: DEA.gov/fentanylfree.

Making America Safe Again: DOJ to Award $300 Million to Model Cities Dedicated to Restoring Law and Order

The Model Cities Initiative will demonstrate the effectiveness of the Make America Safe Again Mission by taking a whole-of-city approach to reduce crime and restore law and order.

The Justice Department today announced the Model Cities Initiative (MCI), a whole-of-city approach directing nearly $300 million in federal funding to transform public safety in America’s cities. Through this initiative, two to four cities will be selected to receive awards supporting the implementation of comprehensive and innovative strategies to reduce crime, restore law and order, and enhance public safety. Proposals from qualifying cities are due September 1.

“This administration is leveraging every authority to ensure the safety of all Americans,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “The Model Cities Initiative will supercharge our law enforcement partners and restore the rule of law to America’s neighborhoods, towns, and cities. Our message is clear: We will help those who help us Make America Safe Again.”

Investments will be made in a variety of areas addressing public safety, behavioral health, and related staffing, equipment, and services with the goal of leveraging federal resources to build capacity, strengthen accountability, and deliver measurable reductions in crime that can serve as a model of innovation for replication nationwide. Eligible applicants include local government entities serving a population of at least 100,000.

The MCI initiative will support a range of allowable activities, including:

• Hiring and retention of sworn and non-sworn personnel directly engaged in or supporting violent crime reduction efforts.
• Purchase or lease of equipment, tools, or technology that reduce crime and restore law and order including but not limited to real-time crime centers; forensic and DNA tools; body-worn cameras; license plate readers; artificial intelligence systems; small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and counter-UAS; ballistic identification systems; and information technology upgrades. 
• Training and professional development that support intelligence-led policing, violent crime investigations, crisis response, correctional practices that strengthen reentry outcomes, and coordination with state and federal law enforcement partners.
• Facility Costs including lease, rental, or renovation expenses for space directly used in program operations, such as service delivery sites, training facilities, real-time crime centers, or intelligence analysis centers.
• Mental health and substance use services that directly support prevention, crisis response, screening and early intervention, treatment, case management, and related services addressing issues linked to public safety outcomes, including services provided in correctional facilities and in the community.
• Reentry, transitional support, and recidivism reduction programs and services designed to reduce repeat offending, support transitions from custody, and promote successful reintegration into communities, including operational costs for county jails and state prisons that support reentry preparation.
• Victim services for American victims of crime, including, emergency assistance, case management, shelter and temporary housing, medical and dental care, advocacy, transportation, childcare, legal services, and employment assistance.  
• Youth crime prevention and intervention services that address risk factors for juvenile delinquency and violence, including gang intervention and suppression programs.

Cities will apply through a whole-of-city approach. That means that city leaders, including the mayor, sheriff, county prosecutor, and others will work together to submit one application that proposes a persuasive vision of how this money can be awarded strategically throughout their city to improve law enforcement engagement, victim services, detention and reentry services, and preventive programs.

Additional information about the award is available at www.justice.gov/grants. The planned competition is a multi-phase process. DOJ anticipates making initial award decisions in late 2026. To apply for this award, please submit application materials to MCIapplications@usdoj.gov.

For any questions related to the MCI Call for Applications, you can send your inquiry to MCIquestions@usdoj.gov.  

FBI-Kansas City and KCPD Honored for Efforts to Reduce Youth Opioid Overdoses

Team recognized as recipient of the 2026 Crystal Kipper and Ali Kemp Memorial Award

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Honorable R. Matthew Price, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, presented the 2026 Crystal Kipper & Ali Kemp Memorial Award today to the Federal Bureau of Investigation-Kansas City (FBI-KC) Transnational Organized Crime Squad and the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) Drug Investigation Squad.

The award is presented annually to honor the memory of Crystal Kipper and Ali Kemp, both of whom were fatal victims of tragic crimes. 

U.S. Attorney Price presented the award during a ceremony held in the Western District. The honorees spearhead a task force of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies that work to combat the opioid crisis and address the growing number of fentanyl overdose deaths in the greater Kansas City area. The task force is led by FBI Special Agent Ellen Judy and Supervisory Special Agent Joseph Michael from the FBI Transnational Organized Crime Squad; and Detective (Retired) Cory Horalek and Sergeant Aaron Benson from the KCPD-Drug Investigation Squad-1820 Squad. 

Additional law enforcement partners include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations; U.S. Border Patrol; Missouri State Highway Patrol; Jackson County Drug Task Force; Platte County Sheriff’s Office; Clay County Sheriff’s Office; and many other state and local organizations.

The team led an investigation of a wide-ranging drug trafficking organization in which several defendants sold counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl, to drug users on social media. The organization’s actions led to the death of a 17-year-old Olathe, Kansas girl. 

The initial investigation resulted in charges and successful prosecutions against 13 defendants and led to other investigations resulting in charges against at least 14 additional defendants. The conspiracy involved a large quantity of drugs, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, powder cocaine, and marijuana, with an estimated value of more than $4 million. In addition, 16 firearms and approximately $40,000 were seized during the investigation. The work of the task force led to a significant decrease in overdose deaths in the Western District of Missouri.

U.S. Attorney Price presented the Crystal Kipper & Ali Kemp Memorial Award alongside Anna Kipper Rea, the mother of Crystal Kipper, and Jill and Bob Leiker of the Ali Kemp Educational Foundation, an organization founded by the late Roger Kemp, the father of Ali Kemp.

The Crystal Kipper & Ali Kemp Memorial Award

This is the 22nd year the award has been presented in memory of Crystal Kipper and Ali Kemp, two young women who were both fatal victims of tragic crimes. Crystal Kipper was an 18-year-old Gladstone, Mo., resident who was murdered after she ran out of gas on Interstate 29, just north of Platte City, on Feb. 24, 1997. Ali Kemp was a 19-year-old Blue Valley North High School graduate who was murdered on June 18, 2002, while she worked at the Foxborough neighborhood swimming pool in Leawood, Kan.

The Crystal Kipper & Ali Kemp Memorial Award is presented by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Missouri each year to recognize the outstanding work of an individual or organization in recognition of a valued contribution to preventing and responding to violent crime and the exploitation of children.

ATF offers up to $5,000 reward to identify person(s) responsible for setting fire to the home of Jason Ritchie, Adair County Sheriff

Dallas — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Adair County Sheriff’s Office are requesting the public’s help for information that could lead to the identification and/or arrest of the suspect(s) responsible for setting fire to the home of Adair County Sheriff, Jason Ritchie.

On May 19, a fire was reported at the residence of Adair County Sheriff Jason Ritchie. Special Agents from the ATF Muskogee Field Office responded and found evidence of forced entry and detected an ignitable liquid. Special Agents are pursuing multiple leads; however, no suspects have been identified at this time.

“Fire, when used as a tool of violence, can ruin lives, property, and the American sense of security. ATF has a longstanding working relationship with the Adair County Sheriff’s Office and is determined to locate the individual(s) responsible for this reckless act and hold them accountable. We will continue working alongside our law enforcement partners to protect the community and ensure those who endanger public safety are brought to justice” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge Brian Garner.

Anyone with any information about this crime should contact ATF Muskogee Office at 918-594 1800, Adair County Sheriff’s Office at 918-696-2106 or ATF at 1-888-ATF-TIPS. Information can also be sent to ATFTips@atf.gov or through ATF’s website at www.atf.gov/contact/atftips.

ATF is the federal law enforcement agency primarily responsible for administering and enforcing the criminal provisions of the Federal laws pertaining to arson. More information about ATF and its programs is available at www.atf.gov.

Overland Park Pawn Shop Burglarized, $10,000 Reward Offered

OVERLAND PARK, Kansas – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), in partnership with the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for a Sunday, May 10, 2026, burglary of a pawn shop, a federally licensed firearms dealer, located near the intersection of West 75th Street and Switzer Road in Overland Park, Kansas.

^{Still-frame photo from surveillance video footage showing an individual in the shop during the burglary.}

The Overland Park Police Department and the ATF are investigating an early-morning burglary at the pawn shop. Suspects used a stolen vehicle to crash through the front of the business before entering the store and stealing nearly 30 firearms from wall displays and display cases.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to identify those responsible and recover the stolen firearms.

Anyone with information about this incident should call ATF at 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), email ATFTips@atf.gov or submit information anonymously via www.ReportIt.com or the Report It mobile app, available on Google Play or Apple Apps Store. When using Report It, select “ATF – Kansas City Field Division” as the reporting agency.

Provide as much information as you can relating to the individuals involved with the burglary, their whereabouts, or location of the stolen firearms. To receive the reward, the information provided must directly lead to the successful prosecution of the individuals responsible.

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^{Still-frame photo from area video footage showing the car that was used as a getaway vehicle during the burglary.}

ATF is offering a reward of up to $5,000, which will be matched by the NSSF for a total reward of up to $10,000, for information that will lead to the individuals responsible for the burglary. Information eligible for reward must lead to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the burglary or aid in the recovery of the remaining stolen firearms.

The increased reward is part of a larger national cooperative initiative in which NSSF matches an ATF reward in cases involving the theft of firearms from federally licensed firearms retailers. ATF works closely with members of the firearms industry to curb criminal acquisition and misuse of firearms.

ATF is the federal law enforcement agency with jurisdiction involving firearms and violent crimes and regulates the firearm industry. For more information about ATF, go to www.atf.gov or follow @ATFHQ on Twitter. Follow @ATFKansasCity on X for ATF news in Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska.

Graduation: ATF Gang Resistance Education and Training Program Provides Philadelphia Students Lasting Life Skills

PHILADELPHIA — Special Agent in Charge Eric DeGree of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Philadelphia Field Division announced the graduation of 27 Tacony Charter Academy fifth graders from Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) this week.

“Congratulations! The life skills you learned in the G.R.E.A.T. program will serve you and your community for a lifetime,” said DeGree. “For more than three decades our program provided students the opportunity to meet and engage with our law enforcement officers in a learning environment and learn valuable skills to strengthen our communities for generations.”

The G.R.E.A.T. youth and community outreach program was launched in 1991 to proactively combat violent crime. It uses community-oriented policing tactics and community outreach to change perceptions about law enforcement, one student at a time. In Philadelphia, G.R.E.A.T. program instructors have focused on helping eliminate delinquency, youth violence, and gang membership.

A student noted they enjoyed “learning new things and learning how to be kind to each other.” Another student said “My favorite part was the skits, because they were fun and effective, because they taught us rules and it connected to the instruction we got from Officer Dan.”

“Getting the students to recognize their potential and the impacts they have already made in their community has been extremely rewarding,” said G.R.E.A.T. instructor and ATF Special Agent Daniel Leskowicz.

“It’s been awesome watching my students take the abstract "community" concepts we talk about in Social Studies and actually use them to solve real-world problems,” said their teacher, Connor Kealey. “Instead of just reading about civic duty, they’re living it—learning how to communicate, handle conflicts, and have each other's backs. The shift in my classroom's energy toward respect and maturity has been incredible to witness. I’m so proud to see them growing into such thoughtful, responsible leaders!”

The G.R.E.A.T. curriculum includes violence prevention, conflict resolution techniques, decision-making, goal setting, and problem-solving. The elementary school curriculum is a six-week interactive session for fourth and fifth graders with an emphasis on family involvement. Students are taught how to set goals, resist peer pressure, respect differences, resolve conflicts and understand how gangs can negatively impact their quality of life. They also learn the importance of becoming responsible members of their communities.

Felon on Federal Supervised Release Sentenced for Having Gun in Car While Meeting with Probation Officer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A previously convicted felon on federal supervised release was sentenced to prison again yesterday for illegally possessing a firearm, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. William Sedrick Rollerson, 58, of Charlotte, was sentenced to a total of 108 months in prison; 60 months in prison for violating supervised release conditions, followed by an additional and consecutive term of 48 months in prison for the new illegal possession of a firearm offense, which will all be followed by two years of supervised release.

“Supervised release exists to rehabilitate those who have served time in prison, help them reintegrate into society, and to keep a close eye on them to ensure they do not return to their life of crime,” said U.S. Attorney Ferguson. “It appears Mr. Rollerson very quickly returned to his life of crime, and he will therefore serve a sentence for his crime and an additional sentence for violating the conditions of his supervised release.”

According to court documents and court proceedings, Rollerson was on federal supervised release following completion of a lengthy prison term for a prior conviction in the Western District of North Carolina. Among the conditions of his supervised release, Rollerson had regular appointments at the federal probation office and was subject to drug testing. On April 24, 2025, Rollerson drove to the federal courthouse in Charlotte to meet with a federal probation officer. During the meeting, Rollerson was told he had tested positive for cocaine use. Rollerson denied using cocaine and offered various explanations about the positive drug test. Court records show that probation officers searched Rollerson’s vehicle, where they found a Taurus .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol loaded with eight rounds of ammunition in the magazine and one round in the chamber. A set of digital scales, baggies, an unknown gray powdery substance, and an additional .40 caliber magazine were also found in Rollerson’s vehicle.

On September 18, 2025, Rollerson pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon. He is in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

The U.S. Probation Office conducted the investigation with the assistance of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Kelly with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.