ATF and Firearms Industry Offer Reward in Firearms Thefts

MOBILE, Ala. — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in conjunction with the Mobile Police Department and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) — the trade association for the firearms industry — announced a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the theft of firearms from the Stone Arms Gun Shop; Parkway Pawn and Gun; and Roberts Gun Rack, all federal firearm licensees (FFLs). ATF is offering a reward in the amount of $ 1,500, which will be matched by the NSSF for a total reward of $ 3,000. This reward is part of a larger national cooperative initiative between the NSSF and ATF in which NSSF matches 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 the criminal acquisition and misuse of firearms.

On May 3, Stone Arms Incorporated, 10160 Airport Blvd, Mobile, was burglarized where a total of seven firearms were reported stolen to the Mobile Police Department.

On June 16, Parkway Pawn and Gun, 2669 Dauphin Island Parkway, Mobile, was burglarized where a total of 28 firearms were reported stolen to the Mobile Police Department.

On June 20, an attempted break in to Roberts Gun Rack, 7730 Old Shell Road, Mobile, was reported to the Mobile Police Department.

Anyone with information about these crimes should contact the Mobile Police Department/Crime Stoppers at (251) 208-7000.

U.S. Marshals Arrest Absconded Parolee Wanted for Sex Offense

Burlington, VT - The U.S. Marshals Service Vermont Violent Offender Task Force (VVOTF) arrested a Vermont fugitive who was wanted for Lewd and Lascivious Conduct with a Child and a Parole Violation.

Ricky Waite, 53, of Burlington, Vermont was arrested on Wednesday, June 18, 2014 in Bristol, Vermont when located by task force members. Ricky Waite has been on the run since the end of May after being charged with Lewd and Lascivious Conduct with a Child stemming from a Chittenden Unit for Special Investigations (CUSI) investigation.

Waite, who is on Parole, violated the terms of his Parole and a second arrest warrant was issued for him. When arrested, it was determined that he was living under an alias and had altered his physical appearance.

Waite’s arrest was a result of a culmination of investigative efforts by the U.S. Marshals VVOTF and the Vermont State Police.

New Mexico Hosts University Law Camp

Albuquerque, NM – On June 11, 2014, the District of New Mexico hosted a law camp at the Pete Domenici Federal Courthouse in Albuquerque, NM, for the University of New Mexico (UNM) Law School. UNM Law School conducted an application and interview process for 12 to 15 year old students to be selected in attending the law camp. Deputy Marshals for the District of New Mexico hosted and coordinated the Federal Law block of instruction. The group of young students attending the law camp visited with Federal Magistrate Court Judge Steve Yarborough, were able to see how Federal Probation operates, and were shown the inner workings of the Court of the Clerk’s Office. Judge Yarborough explained the Federal system and demonstrated all the steps of the judicial process. Deputy Marshals explained their duties to the students and DUSM Todd Kozuszko and his K-9 explosives dog “Hope” gave a demonstration on explosives detection. After the students selected a judge, attorneys, a probation officer, a clerk, and deputy marshals, they finished the camp with a court room role play.

Arrests Made Involving Drugs and Guns

MOBILE, Ala. – Federal arrest warrants on a number of indictments out of the Southern District of Alabama were served this morning in the Marion and Selma areas. The indictments charge offenses ranging from possession with intent to distribute and conspiracy to distribute cocaine, crack cocaine, marijuana, and prescription drugs sold illegally on the street, to various gun violations, including various types of prohibited persons (convicted felons, persons committed by order of a probate judge, and drug users) in possession of firearms, to money laundering. In addition to the arrests, search warrants for documents were executed at four residences, two in Marion and two in Selma. Search warrants for business records were also executed at two businesses in Marion, Dollar Max and Marion Meat Market. A consent search was conducted at JT Package Store in Marion.

“These arrests should send a strong message to dope peddlers and violent thugs that their activities will not be tolerated even in smaller or more rural communities. Citizens from all communities should be able to enjoy their communities to the fullest without the fear of violence or the scourge of illegal drug distribution in their midst. I commend the collaborative efforts of the various law enforcement entities that were engaged in this clean up. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to keeping our communities safe,” said U.S. Attorney Kenyen Brown.

The indictments resulted from a coordinated investigation occurring during 2012 through the present involving several federal agencies when some local authorities requested assistance with high crime areas. Agencies participating in the investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the 4th Judicial Task Force, the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, the Internal Revenue Service, the United States Secret Service, the United States Marshal’s Service, the Alabama Department of Public Safety, the Alabama Bureau of Investigations, the Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force and the Department of Agriculture. The United States Attorney’s Office in Mobile will prosecute the cases. Some matters will remain under investigation as a result of evidence obtained during the arrests and searches, and if additional indictments are returned at a later date, notifications will be made when appropriate.

"This investigation is an example of ATF’s dedication to working with our state, local and federal partners in identifying, targeting, and investigating violent criminals who are involved in selling narcotics and firearms who prey upon innocent citizens and lessen the quality of life in our neighborhoods,” Jeff Fulton, ATF special agent in charge said in a statement.

AFSPC Command Chief peeks behind the scenes of CCAF

by Tech. Sgt. Michael Slater
Air Force Space Command Public Affairs

6/10/2014 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- On a recent visit to the Gunter Annex of Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., Chief Master Sergeant Douglas L. McIntyre, Command Chief, Air Force Space Command, toured the Community College of the Air Force facilities.

During the tour Chief McIntyre was shown a small room containing individuals opening envelopes by hand.

"I asked the person giving the tour, 'What's going on in here?' They told me here is where the paper transcripts are sent in from all over the world. I was amazed at the sheer volume of paper transcripts they were dealing with," Chief McIntyre said. "It also made me feel good knowing each of those envelopes represents an Airman trying to better him or herself through education."

The CCAF administrative center, located on the Gunter Annex of Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., maintains nearly 3 million student records and handles 125,000 transcript requests annually from Airmen past and present pursuing higher education.

"Part of the reason we are the best Air Force in the world is the value we place on education," Chief McIntyre said.

CCAF graduates echoed that sentiment during a 2013 graduate survey. Two-thirds said earning their CCAF degree improved their oral communication skills and more than half reported improvements in other critical mission areas, such as, leadership, writing skills and critical thinking.

"During my tour, I received some education numbers for the Air Force and for AFSPC. I am happy to say the AFSPC Airmen didn't let me down," Chief McIntyre said. "You always want to know how your Airmen are performing compared to the rest of the force. AFSPC is above the Air Force average in every enlisted tier pursuing associate thru master's degrees.

"I am proud of all the AFSPC Airmen who have earned their CCAF degrees, but I am especially proud of our Airman Tier. They are six percent above the Air Force average for CCAF degrees."

Chief McIntyre said, with the advent of programs like the Associates to Bachelorette program, or ABC, a CCAF degree can be an accelerated path to achieving a 4-year degree.

He also expressed his appreciation to the CCAF leadership for leading the tour.

"I would like to extend a special thank you to Lt. Col. Michael Artelli and Chief Master Sgt. Andrew Hollis for hosting me on the tour," Chief McIntyre said. "I've always been a proponent for the CCAF and seeing them in action further solidified that."

The Community College of the Air Force is the largest community college in the United States with over 302,000 students, more than the 2nd and 3rd largest schools combined.

To find out more about the Community College of the Air Force or the ABC program, visit the Air University website at www.au.af.mil.

Carroll County Man Sentenced 180 Months in Federal Prison for Possession of a Firearm

HUNTINGTON,  Tenn – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) announced today that on June 3, 2014, Odell Holder, age 40, was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison and 24 months supervised released for prohibited individual in possession of a firearm by United States District Judge Daniel Breen.

The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on Holder that indicated he was in possession of a suspended license. A search incident to arrest revealed a firearm and a quantity of narcotics. Holder is a previously convicted felon and an armed career criminal.

Jeff Fulton, Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Nashville Field Division said “ATF is committed through the “Frontline” model to work with our local partners to combat violent crime and to make our communities a safer place.”