Bradenton Police-Palmetto Police and A Stun Gun Death
Gregory Kielma • November 23, 2024
ECD-Stun Gun- or Taser The Use of Leathal Force Can and Might cause death
Bradenton PD terminates officer involved in tasing death, Palmetto officers remain on duty
By Samantha Gholar, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida,
Bradenton Police officials provided only partial records that claimed an officer had only been disciplined in a high-profile use of force case when he in fact had reluctantly resigned from the department the Herald-Tribune has learned.
The omission misled the public, and the Herald-Tribune , which first reported the conclusion of the agency's internal affairs probe in late June. In August following the report, however, the officer in question came forward with heavy critiques and claims of misinformation of his former agency. There is no clear indication that the omission was intentional, but new information confirms rumors that the agency had already quietly accepted his resignation but had not made that information available to the public for over two months.
Former officer Julian Jackson, involved in the November 2023 tasing death of a Palmetto man, is accusing Bradenton PD leaders of forcing his resignation after he served a week-long unpaid suspension in late June.
What happened?
Following the close of an internal investigation, Bradenton police administrators concluded that former officer Jackson had violated six departmental procedural general orders, or PGOs, when he stopped to assist neighboring Palmetto Police Department on Nov. 2, 2023.
The incident, which involved a total of five officers— Jackson and four Palmetto police officers — led to the tasing death of a 36-year-old Palmetto man, Breonte Johnson-Davis. Jackson is the only officer from either department to be disciplined in the case.
A Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) investigation found no wrongdoing by any of the officers. However, Bradenton police administrators launched an independent internal probe three months later which eventually led to Jackson’s suspension from duty.
The investigation records show the suspension but did not include any mention of Jackson’s termination. BPD officials also failed to provide clear information when questioned by the Herald-Tribune about the former officer's employment status at the agency following a swirl of rumors about his departure in August.
Jackson contacted the Herald-Tribune in mid-August to confirm his exit from the Bradenton Police Department. A second set of records from BPD obtained on Aug. 25 reveals that the officer submitted a resignation letter to department administrators a day after his return from the 40-hour suspension on June 26.
He claims the resignation was forced and said he was confused and shocked by the agency's decision to end his employment.
Discrepancy in disciplinary action between agencies raises questions
Jackson, 26, joined the Bradenton Police Department in Oct. 2022 and was on the patrol force for just over a year the night he stopped while off-duty to assist the Palmetto PD in the tasing death incident in Nov. 2023.
His procedural general order violations that night, including failure to activate a body-worn camera and failure to file a use of force report among others, were first-time offenses at the agency Jackson contends.
Initially, he said he didn’t think his actions were wrong. He told the Herald -Tribune that following Johnson-Davis' death in custody, and throughout the internal probe, agency administration led him to believe that he could return to duty after his unpaid leave.
“I was shocked and upset and disappointed,” Jackson said. “The week leading up to my return I had conversations with my Lieutenant. I told him that the policies are subjective, because if you're going to hit me up for that, then you need to do an audit of everybody. Not just one person, you need to audit everybody,” he said.
Bradenton officials confirmed Jackson’s was no longer employed there following a late August public records request but remain tight-lipped about the accusations and claims from the former BPD officer.
Department leadership, including the police chief, refused to comment on the disciplinary action.
“I get that I broke policies, but I never broke those policies again. I learned from my mistake,” Jackson said. It’s very unfair to get dropped off at work thinking I’m going to get my things back— my car, my badge, my equipment and being told ‘Hey, we’re going in a different direction. So, you can either resign or you can stay and we’re going to let you go.’
The victim’s mother, Tracy Washington, continues to question the transparency of both agencies and their leaders. She said the Bradenton PD probe reopened the emotional wounds she has been working to heal over the past 11 months following her son’s death.
“I still have mixed feelings about all of this. He (Jackson) was the only person who was let go and no one else has been held accountable, so that brings up questions for me. I want to know why he was the only officer relieved of his duty,” Washington asked.
“Some of the violations in Julian Jackson’s report seem small compared to what I see looking at the body cam footage. Some of those officers did similar things, some of those officers killed my son. And they are still on the street, with no training.”
Bradenton’s Chief Bevan has not contacted her regarding the probe or Jackson’s subsequent exit Washington told the Herald -Tribune.
“I was hearing rumors and I wanted to know his employment status. I think that’s my right and that I deserve communication, being that I'm Breonte’s mother, she told me that she would but Chief (Bevan) never got back to me,” Washington explained.
“If you hid that from me, what else are you hiding? I'm never going to stop until I get justice for Breonte. I will fight until the last breath of my body until I get to the bottom of it. And I will get to the bottom of it.”
'Scapegoat’ claim unlikely criminal justice expert says
The firing of Jackson and lack of disciplinary action for any Palmetto officers, two of whom deployed tasers on Johnson-Davis which led to cardiac arrest and his subsequent death, seems puzzling to some outsiders.
However, Dennis Kenney, a professor of criminal justice at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and former Florida police officer, says that each agency has its own disciplinary and administrative scales when determining personnel matters.
“ It doesn't seem to be any dispute that he (Jackson) violated policies,” Kenney said about the Bradenton internal affairs probe. “Obviously, the department felt that the violations were significant. But I can see why he would be disturbed that he's the only one who got disciplinary action taken against him. But his scapegoat claims would imply that, I guess, the Bradenton Police Department is trying to cover for the Palmetto Police Department. That seems unlikely,” Kenney said.
Bradenton's chief is no stranger to controversy.
Bevan has come under fire multiple times during her post of chief—most notably in the summer of 2022 when Bevan was accused of allegedly conducting a search of a suspect's house without a warrant . She was cleared of wrongdoing in the incident in September 2022.
Bevan has also faced criticism from the department's union members. Around half of the department's union members surveyed two years ago also revealed felt that Bevan played favorites among agency employees. At least four Bradenton Police officers have filed complaints against the agency's chief since 2022.
Though the transparency and accountability of the agency are being called into question, Kenney explained that the critiques might be aimed at the wrong police department.
“It is a little hard to be critical of a police department for enforcing its rules,” he said. “But my question would be why the lack of actions from the Palmetto Police Department, not the Bradenton Police Department.”
The Herald-Tribune tried to speak with Palmetto Police Chief Scott Tyler about the disciplinary discrepancy between the neighboring agencies, but Tyler declined to comment.
Samantha Gholar covers social justice news for USA Today Network-Florida . Connect with her by email at sgholar@gannett.com.
Letitia James screeches, gesticulates wildly in piercing rant about Trump admin amid fraud accusations Cortney Weil May 06, 2025 As corruption continues to be uncovered, New Yorks Letitia James is in the spotlight says FFL, Firearms Instructor, Gunsmith and First Aid Instructor Gregg Kielma. Funny how the tide is now changing, and these alleged corrupt politicians are getting caught red handed by the same people they tried to silence the past four years. Continues Kielma, it's time to hold people accountable, what's good for the goose is good for the gander. Letitia, how's it feel now? Letitia James, "You elected me to use the law!" Attendees at the National Action Network rally in Harlem on Saturday may have left holding their ears after New York Attorney General Letitia James went on a rant about the Trump administration that reached a shrill pitch. In her speech, James mainly took aim at efforts by the Trump administration to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in the Department of Health and Human Services, a department James referred to on at least one occasion as the "Health and Hospitals Association." She claimed that the Trump team wants to starve essential programs like Head Start, Meals on Wheels, and the World Trade Center Healthcare Program for 9/11 first responders. "And you want me to sit in my seat and stand idly by and allow this craziness to happen?" she screeched, pointing strangely with her thumb and index finger about an inch apart. James said she instead would sue the federal government — including HHS Sec. Robert Kennedy Jr., whom she called "the guy with a worm in his head" — over these cuts and that other Democrat attorneys general would join her. 'You elected me to continue fighting on, AND I WILL FIGHT ON!' Sign up for the Blaze newsletter By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and agree to receive content that may sometimes include advertisements. You may opt out at any time. James did not provide further details about the lawsuit, the New York Post said, presumably including the names of other interested AGs. Fox News host Aishah Hasnie noted that, considering the accusations against James swirling about, "I'm not sure who's going to want to jump in on that." Hasnie was alluding to allegations from the U.S. Federal Housing Finance Agency that James repeatedly committed mortgage fraud. According to FHFA Director William Pulte, James: • falsely claimed in August 2023 she would make a home in Norfolk, Virginia, her "principal residence," even though she never lived there full-time and New York law requires statewide officeholders to reside in New York. • misrepresented the number of units at her Brooklyn property to secure a conforming loan from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. • even listed her father as her husband on a real estate purchase in 1983 to obtain a better mortgage rate. Other documents from May 2000 listed James, who has never been married, as "husband and wife," though whether her father was likewise mentioned in those documents is unclear. Last month, Pulte referred James to the Department of Justice for a criminal investigation into possible wire, mail, and bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution. James has since claimed the allegations are "baseless." Nevertheless, James made veiled reference to those allegations in her speech to the National Action Network on Saturday, railing, "You can come after me if you want," as she pounded her chest. "But you elected me to stand up! You elected me to use the law! You elected me to go to court! You elected me to continue to challenge this administration," she continued, her voice growing increasingly louder. Others on stage, including race activist Al Sharpton and NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, whom James supports in the upcoming NYC mayoral election, rose to their feet as James' rant reached a piercing crescendo. "You elected me to stand up for the least of God's children. You elected me to continue fighting on, AND I WILL FIGHT ON!" she yelled. You can hear a 30-second clip of her speech here. Gothamist described the speech as "fiery." The Post claimed James "barked." The White House and HHS did not respond to a request for comment from the Post. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
National Hurricane Preparedness Week Dear Floridian Friends and Friends Impacted by These Monster Storms, This National Hurricane Preparedness Week, I urge every Florida family to take the time to make sure you are prepared for whatever this hurricane season may bring. Floridians know better than anybody that hurricanes and severe weather can strike anytime and anywhere. That's why it's important for you to have a plan to keep you and your family safe in case of an emergency. Throughout my time as Governor and as your United States Senator, I have seen the destruction left behind by devastating hurricanes like Michael, Irma, Hermine, Matthew, Ian, Fiona, Idalia, and most recently, Debby, Helene, and Milton. If there is one thing I’ve learned, it’s that Floridians are resilient. No matter what, our state and local communities always come together in times of need to work incredibly hard to rebuild and recover. Florida is resilient because we prepare for storms. I cannot stress this enough: preparedness saves lives. We can always rebuild a home, but we can’t rebuild a life. Hurricane Preparedness As Floridians, we know that preparedness saves lives. As the 2025 hurricane season begins on June 1st, the time for Florida families and businesses to make a plan is TODAY. Now is a great opportunity for your family to stock your disaster supply kits with vital supplies like a first aid kit, a radio, flashlights, batteries and other necessities. Your kit should also include 7 days' worth of food and water, prescription medications, and any important documents. You can find resources and information on creating a personalized emergency plan HERE. Here are a few tips to help you prepare your family and business for this upcoming season: Before a Storm • Prepare an evacuation plan & make sure everyone in your home knows the plan. • Stock up on emergency supplies, including: o Water – You will need water for drinking, cooking and sanitation purposes. Pack a minimum of 1 gallon daily per person for 7 days. o Food – You will need enough food for a minimum of 7 days:  Non-perishable packaged or canned food and juices  Manual can opener  Foods for individuals with dietary restrictions (i.e., infants, elderly, etc.)  Snack foods  Cooking tools and fuel  Paper plates and plastic utensils o Flashlight and Extra Batteries o Pillows, Blankets and/or Sleeping Bags o Clothing – Include a complete change of clothes suitable for your area's climate. Be sure to include sturdy shoes to protect you from debris or other sharp objects you may encounter outdoors post-storm o First Aid Kit, Prescription Medication and Other Medicines o Radio – Battery operated and NOAA weather radio o Toiletries o Cleaning Supplies – Include garbage bags, moisture wipes and other items you may need to sanitize your home or surrounding post-disaster o Special Items – Assess all family members' needs. Consider other items needed for infants, elderly and individuals with access and functional needs (i.e., medical items, baby bottles, etc.) o Cash – Banks and ATMs may not be open or available for extended periods following a disaster o Toys, Books and Games o Important Documents – Consider storing all critical documents in a waterproof container, as well as saving them electronically. These items can include, but are not limited to, insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc. o Tools o Pet Care Items  Proper identification/ immunization records  Ample supply of food and water  Carrier or cage  Medications  Muzzle and leash  Photo of you and your pet(s) – in the event that you are separated from your pet, having an updated photo with your pet will help validate pet ownership • If you have been told to evacuate, EVACUATE. Don’t stay behind. We can rebuild a home, but we can’t rebuild a life. During a Storm • Follow instructions from local law enforcement and emergency management officials. • Stay away from windows and seek shelter. After a Storm • If you were advised to evacuate, do not return home until it is safe to do so. • Be mindful of debris and down power lines. • Do not drive or walk around outside if you do not have to. Hurricane Preparedness Resources Websites • FEMA: Visit FEMA for up-to-date information, support, services, and to apply for disaster assistance following a storm. • SBA: Visit SBA to learn about low-interest disaster loans to help businesses and homeowners recover from a major disaster • FloridaDisaster.org: Visit FloridaDisaster.org for resources and information on creating a personalized emergency plan for your family. • HUD: Visit HUD to learn about housing assistance available to homeowners and renters • National Hurricane Center: Visit NHC for the latest updates on tropical weather threats.
The of a Family Killer, Remember It When Its Time: Jesus Huchin-Interian The young girl reportedly saved her mom's life from the vicious attack by her father. A heroic 10-year-old girl in Oregon thwarted a possible family massacre by her father after he had already slit the throat of the mother of his children, according to authorities. The Multnomah County District Attorney's Office said in a statement that police responded to multiple reports that there was a disturbance at a home in Gresham, Oregon, on June 7, 2021. 'The victim’s young daughter showed bravery and resilience that truly inspires us to work hard every day to interrupt the cycle of abuse and to keep families safe.' Police said Jesus Huchin-Interian began fighting with the mother of his children after accusing her of cheating on him. The daughter told police that her father threatened the mother that he was going to "finish her" and then "finish the kids." Huchin-Interian then physically attack his wife and slit her throat, according to police. The 10-year-old daughter jumped into action to protect herself and her younger siblings. "The 10-year-old reported that she grabbed a knife herself and tried to stab the defendant, but the knife was too dull, so she dropped it and ran to her room with her little siblings and locked the door," according to the press release from the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office. Once barricaded in the bedroom, the young girl called 911 for help. The father reportedly fled the crime scene after the daughter notified the police. Once the father left the home, the daughter allegedly emerged from her room and began giving life-saving aid to her mother, who survived her horrific injuries. "When police arrived, they found the victim 'lifeless,' face down in a pool of blood, with a deep 8-inch cut to her neck," according to the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office. Meanwhile, Huchin-Interian was on the lam for years after the alleged attempted murder. Law enforcement did not track down and arrest Huchin-Interian until March 2024, when he was in located San Francisco, California. Huchin-Interian accepted a plea deal from prosecutors just days before his trial was set to begin. On April 18, Huchin-Interian pleaded guilty to a charge of assault in the second degree constituting domestic violence. The father will serve a prison sentence of at least 70 months, followed by three years of supervised release. Huchin-Interian will be sentenced on April 28. Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney Robin Beck Skarstad — who prosecuted the case for the state — said, "This case underscores the devastating impact domestic violence has on children in the home. The victim’s young daughter showed bravery and resilience that truly inspires us to work hard every day to interrupt the cycle of abuse and to keep families safe." Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up!
Puerto Rico Gang Members 25 Members of a Violent Gang in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, Charged with Drug Trafficking and Firearms Offenses Tuesday, April 29, 2025 For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Puerto Rico SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On April 9, 2025, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging 25 violent gang members from the municipality of Mayagüez with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, possession and distribution of controlled substances, and firearms violations, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau (PRPB) Mayagüez Strike Force were in charge of the investigation of the case, with the collaboration of the United States Marshal Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Response Team (SRT), and the Guaynabo Municipal Police SRT collaborated during the arrests. “The prosecution of this drug trafficking gang demonstrates our determined efforts to protect our communities from the violent crime and gun violence they bring to our streets,” said U.S. Attorney Muldrow. “Our prosecutors will continue to work with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to make our neighborhoods safe and bring criminals to justice.” “Today, we sent a clear message: violence, drugs, and organized crime will find no safe haven in Puerto Rico,” said Devin J. Kowalski, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office. “Thanks to the courage of our Special Agents and Police of Puerto Rico Task Force Officers, with the unwavering support of our federal partners, we disrupted a criminal network that terrorized our communities for years. The FBI remains fully committed to protecting our people, restoring peace to our neighborhoods, and holding violent offenders accountable.” The indictment alleges that from in or about April 2021 through the present, the drug trafficking organization distributed heroin, fentanyl, cocaine base (commonly known as “crack”), cocaine, and marihuana within 1,000 feet of Rafael Hernández (Kennedy) Public Housing Project (PHP), the Manuel Hernández Rosa (Candelaria PHP), the El Carmen (PHP), and other areas nearby the municipality of Mayagüez, all for significant financial gain and profit. The goal of the drug trafficking organization was to maintain control of all the drug trafficking activities within the controlled areas using force, threats, violence, and intimidation. In preserving power and protecting territory, the members of the organization incurred in violent acts including but not limited to murder in order to protect themselves and their organization. Members of the criminal organization also transported and distributed kilogram quantities of cocaine. As part of the conspiracy, the defendants had meetings to discuss strategy and plan of their criminal activities, including but not limited to acts of violence. The co-conspirators held meetings to discuss drug trafficking business and issues between gang members. During said meetings, incarcerated defendants and co-conspirators would participate via phone call. The defendants and their co-conspirators used violence to take over other areas and sell their own narcotics at those areas to increase their power and profits. The defendants acted in different roles to further the goals of the drug trafficking conspiracy, to include leaders, drug point owners, enforcers, runners, sellers, drug processors, lookouts, and facilitators. The members of the gang used force, violence, and intimidation to intimidate rival drug trafficking organizations, and to discipline members of their own organization. The defendants charged in the drug trafficking conspiracy are: [1] Jonathan Martínez González, a.k.a. “J/El Brother” [2] Isaías Jaseph Molina Valle, a.k.a. “Simio/Simi” [3] Juan A. Ortiz Mendoza, a.k.a. “Abuelo/Abu/Ablo” [4] Fernando Manuel Torres Ruiz, a.k.a. “La M” [5] Jonathan Enrique Rodríguez Acosta, a.k.a. “John Pri/Pri” [6] Franschesca M. Rivera-Valle, a.k.a. “Cheska” [7] Joseph G. Ríos Vélez [8] Jomael Enrique Aponte Rivera, a.k.a. “Farru” [9] Abdiel Sánchez Negrón [10] Michael J. Marrero García, a.k.a. “Michael El Pato” [11] Héctor A. Rosado Matías, a.k.a. “Bebo/Bebito” [12] Christopher Santiago Rivera, a.k.a. “Gato” [13] Jesus D. Rodríguez Soto, a.k.a. “John” [14] Luis Joel Couret Clas, a.k.a. “Shaggy” [15] Julio E. Mangual Vargas, a.k.a. “Julio Maraña” [16] Fredwin Yomar Álvarez, a.k.a. “Bombilla” [17] Héctor M. Cotto Rodríguez, a.k.a. “Tello” [18] Ezequiel Soto Bonilla, a.k.a. “Bigote” [19] Carlos Mikel Rodríguez Núñez, a.k.a. “Mikel/Fosforito” [20] Carlos Obed La Llave Otero, a.k.a. “Security/El Gordo” [21] Michael Concepción Soto [22] Héctor Javier Surita Muñiz, a.k.a. “Coquito/Surita” [23] Merchisede Rivera Pérez, a.k.a. “Merquisedec Rivera Pérez/Melchicede Rivera Pérez/El Negro/Melqui” [24] José C. Colón-Félix, a.k.a. “Fresita” [25] Antonio M. López Olivencia, a.k.a. “Delivery” Fifteen defendants are charged in Count Seven with possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and seven of those defendants are facing one count of possession of a machinegun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The FBI thanks the PRPB Mayagüez Strike Force for their assistance in this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) and Chief of the Gang Section Alberto López-Rocafort, Deputy Chief of the Gang Section, AUSA Teresa Zapata-Valladares, and AUSAs Laura Díaz González, and Héctor Siaca Flores are prosecuting the case. If convicted on the drug charges, the defendants face a minimum sentence of 10 years, and up to life in prison. If convicted of both the drug and firearms charges in Count Seven, the defendants face a minimum sentence of 15 years, and up to life in prison. The defendants charged with possession of machineguns in furtherance of drug trafficking in Count Eight face a mandatory sentence of thirty years in prison to be served consecutive to any sentence imposed on drug trafficking charges. All defendants charged in the drug conspiracy are facing a narcotics forfeiture allegation of $19,710,000. 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. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ### Updated April 29, 2025
Atlanta Field Division: ATF Atlanta host press conference on combatting firearms trafficking to Mexico Contact: Sheree Sapp 404-831-7958 For Immediate Release Friday, May 2, 2025 ATF Atlanta host press conference on combatting firearms trafficking to Mexico ATLANTA – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Atlanta Field Division hosted a joint press conference with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to showcase recent efforts to combat the trafficking of firearms to Mexico. “Firearms trafficking and the illegal activity associated with it continues to threaten the safety of the general public throughout our communities,” said ATF Atlanta Field Division Special Agent in Charge Benjamin Gibbons. “We are working closely with our federal and local law enforcement partners to relentlessly pursue those who attempt to illegally move firearms between the United States and Mexico. Extensive time in a federal prison awaits those who think they can endanger our communities and get away with it.” “Homeland Security Investigations is steadfast in our mission to combat international firearms trafficking and dismantle transnational criminal networks that threaten public safety on both sides of the border,” said Steven N. Schrank, the Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia and Alabama. “By targeting those who illegally purchase and smuggle weapons into Mexico, we are cutting off a vital lifeline to cartel members and terrorist-designated organizations, while upholding our duty to protect communities at home and abroad. HSI will continue to work relentlessly to identify, apprehend, and bring to justice those fueling this dangerous trade.” In response to the growing threat posed by Transnational Criminal Organizations and the administration’s emphasis on combating them, ATF has been working swiftly and diligently with federal and local partners to effectively combat the flow of illegal firearms trafficked to Mexico. Cartels have infiltrated the United States through the southern border and are operating within many local communities. They have established and expanded their networks throughout the United States to carry out illicit activities including fentanyl trafficking and human smuggling. Cartels rely on specific firearms to facilitate, expand and protect their criminal enterprise, including large caliber and/or belt fed rifles such as, the Ohio Ordinance M2 .50 caliber, FN M240 7.6mm, FN M249 5.56, and the Barrett M82 .50 semi-automatic rifle. Under President Trump’s and Attorney General Bondi’s leadership, ATF has prevented nearly 9,700 firearms from falling into the hands of dangerous criminals or terrorist. From January 20 to May 1, 2025, ATF agents nationwide initiated 8,501 violent crime cases, arrested 1,912 criminals, seized a total of 10,592 firearms, 655,388 rounds of ammunition, 8,722 firearm parts, and 6,335 assorted explosives. ATF is the only federal law enforcement agency whose mission is to reduce violent crime. While our mission is clear and concise, it is also immense and dangerous. And, as a small agency with just about 5,000 employees, we can only succeed with our local, state, and federal partners. These partnerships, including the U.S. Attorney’s Offices, Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), other government agencies, state and local law enforcement, help to stem the flow of illegal firearms being trafficked to Mexico. ATF is the federal agency with jurisdiction for investigating firearms, fires and crimes of arson. More information on ATF can be found at www.atf.gov ### Atlanta Field Division
Parkersburg Man Sentenced for Straw Purchase Crime Friday, May 2, 2025 For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of West Virginia Says, FFL, Gunsmith and Firearms Instructor Gregg Kielma, friends, you can’t purchase a firearm for another person. It’s considered a “straw deal”. You can and most likely will become a convicted felon doing so. When filling out the ATF (Alcohol-Tabacco-Firearms 4473 Form) It specifically ask if the firearm is for you. This form must be answered honestly. Says Kielma, this is a legal document, like your IRS Tax form. It must be answered truthfully, or the consequences can be dire for you and your family. Please be truthful and save yourself the legal issues you can and will create for you and your family. If I believe this is a straw deal, I'll inform the ATF and you will never transfer or purchase a firearm from me. Please read below. CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Laikin Williams, 25, of Parkersburg, was sentenced on Thursday, May 1, 2025, to three years of federal probation for making a false statement in acquisition of a firearm. According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 5, 2022, Williams purchased a Taurus model PT111 G2A 9mm pistol at a Parkersburg business. Williams admitted that he bought the firearm for another individual, and falsely certified on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Federal Firearms Transaction Records Form 4473 that he was the purchaser of the firearm when he knew he was buying it for the other individual. Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the assistance provided by the Parkersburg Violent Crime and Narcotics Task Force. United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy D. Boggess and D. Keith Randolph and former Assistant United States Attorney Troy D. Adams prosecuted the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-133. ### Updated May 2, 2025
Daniel Driscoll New ATF Acting Director Daniel Driscoll Daniel P. Driscoll is the Acting Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), following his appointment by President Donald J. Trump. Mr. Driscoll is responsible for the oversight of the agency’s mission to protect communities from violent criminals, criminal organizations, and the illegal trafficking of firearms, explosives, and contraband. Under his leadership, the ATF works to enforce federal laws, ensure public safety, and provide critical support in the investigation of firearms-related crimes and domestic and international criminal enterprises. A former Army officer and seasoned business leader, Mr. Driscoll brings extensive experience across military service, law, and the private sector. He was commissioned in 2007 as an Armor Officer through the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School. While on active duty, Mr. Driscoll led a cavalry platoon in the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York, and deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2009. His military awards include the Army Commendation Medal, Ranger Tab, and Combat Action Badge. Following his military service, Mr. Driscoll attended Yale Law School and worked in Yale’s Veterans Legal Services Clinic. He has worked in investment banking, private equity, and business operations, including as Chief Operating Officer of a $200 million venture capital fund. His legal and business expertise complements his commitment to upholding the rule of law and enhancing public safety. Mr. Driscoll is also serving as the 26th Secretary of the Army, sworn in on February 25, 2025, following his nomination and confirmation by President Donald J. Trump and confirmation by the United States Senate. As Secretary of the Army, he oversees operations, modernization, and resource allocation for nearly one million Active, Guard, and Reserve Soldiers and more than 265,000 Army Civilians. Mr. Driscoll holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School. He is a member of the North Carolina State Bar, the Rotary Club, VFW Post 1134, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. A native of Boone, North Carolina, Mr. Driscoll comes from a family with a strong legacy of military service. His grandfather served in the Army during World War II as a decoder, and his father served during the Vietnam War as an infantryman. He is married to his high school sweetheart, and they have two children. Last Updated: April 14, 2025
Should gun owners be subject to surprise home inspections by law enforcement to ensure they're storing their firearms 'safely' and not posing a threat to the community? Thoughts from an avid reader. By all means! Show up at my home without a warrant and demand I let you in so you can inspect my firearms and their storage. You know that “not posing a threat to the community” you were blathering on about? So long as no one tries to violate my Fourth Amendment protections from unlawful search and seizure, there will be no threat! Better yet, since the law CANNOT do what your sick imagination comes up with, why don’t YOU come do it? LEO’s can’t just show up to inspect guns, but you sure can. Why don’t you put your money where your mouth is? If you’re so concerned about your safety regarding my gun possession, frisk me when you see me and relieve me of my firearm. Or break into my home when I am not on the premises…I strongly advise you NOT attempt to break in while I am at home, because it will become very loud and an acrid scent will fill the air, and if you’re still able to inhale and expel oxygen, you’ll smell it, too! Lastly, by virtue of your hateful question/suggestion, you show you have zero actual concerns over my ability to safely possess firearms, cause if you were truly scared you would not come near any of my firearms. So, you’re paying a little game with old Jimmy Boy. That’s a losing proposition, Sparky. I do not play games. My rights are non-negotiable. For your sake, commit that last part to memory. We’ll all be happier if you do, especially you! Enjoy your day.
I'm reading a book where the protagonist specifically requests 20 round magazines for an AR-15. If money is no object, is there any benefit to getting 20 round magazines over 30 round magazines? Thoughts from an avid readier. What are your thoughts? My unit had an old senior master sergeant that loved the 20 round magazines. He also coached our shooting team and oversaw the squad designated marksman program. He had a lot of experience with pretty much every small arm in the military inventory. In addition, he shot most weekends with a civilian shooting team. He also served in the Marine Corps earlier in his military career, where he was in combat in the Gulf War in 1991. So, he was probably the most experienced shooter in my Air Force unit and he preferred them. But I think it was mostly his ego in believing that if he ever got into a shootout, he was an excellent shot and he wouldn’t need as much ammo. Yes, they help a little when firing from the prone position, but not so much that you’d prefer them over 30 round magazines. Also, I thought he set a bad example since no junior airman would ever be allowed to have 20 round magazines for their weapon. Only he could get away with something like that.
The New York Times’ Latest Anti-Gun News Story by Lee Williams Print journalism is simple, really. At least it used to be. For decades there were basically two types of stories, news and opinions. Reporters wrote news stories. Columnists and a few others wrote opinion pieces. But in recent years we’ve seen another type of journalism rise in prominence, the anti-gun story, which masquerades as a regular news piece but is chock-full of opinion and false claims. When reporters fill their anti-gun stories with their opinions their editors do nothing, because they often share their staffer’s opinions. During my 20 years as a newspaperman, I would call out the authors of anti-gun stories whenever I saw them, but my criticisms were usually never addressed, even though we have a constitutional right to keep and bear arms. Nowadays, journalists talk constantly about the accuracy of their reporting. However, when they write anti-gun stories, normal journalism standards are gone, and the editing is a complete joke. The size of the newspaper also makes a difference. Smaller newspapers are generally more accurate when writing about guns than the big ones. Case in point: The New York Times. On Monday, the Times published what is perhaps the most anti-gun news story seen in quite a while. It was written by reporter Glenn Thrush, who started at the newspaper in 2017 and claimed in his bio that his most “fulfilling assignment” was writing obituaries, which is odd. Writing about the recently departed is far from fulfilling. Thrush’s story was titled “Trump Administration to Roll Back Array of Gun Control Measures.” The array was described as a reversal of the strict gun control rules Joe Biden ordered “to stem the flood of unregulated semiautomatic handguns and rifles.” If you look closely at Thrush’s story, you will find factual errors and anti-gun hyperbole in nearly every paragraph. For example, Thrush wrote that gun dealers stripped of the Federal Firearm Licenses by Biden’s crazy zero-tolerance policy were “found to have repeatedly violated federal laws and regulations.” This is far from the truth. Biden’s insane policy stripped hundreds of gun dealers of their FFL’s solely because of extremely minor clerical errors. It is estimated to have increased the FFL revocation rate by 700 percent. Thrush never mentioned that, or that the ATF occasionally sent its poorly trained SWAT team to the gun dealers’ homes, or that the dealers were handcuffed and laying on their stomachs during their conversations with the ATF. In one case, the alleged suspect never got the chance to respond to any of the federal allegations, because ATF’s SWAT team shot and killed him in his own home before they had a chance to talk. Thrush was not kind to Attorney General Pam Bondi or her plan to use the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division to investigate the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department to determine whether it is “engaging in a pattern or practice of depriving ordinary, law-abiding Californians of their Second Amendment rights.” Even though this task is clearly covered by federal law, Thrush claimed that Bondi was “repurposing an investigative unit that had been used to expose racial discrimination and police violence by local enforcement agencies.” Bondi’s decision didn’t involve any repurposing. The federal laws that govern the Civil Rights Division are very clear, unlike Biden’s ATF rules. The author spoke to the executive director of Giffords, who falsely claimed Trump gave his seal of approval to “reckless dealers who are willing to sell guns to traffickers and criminals.” Over the years I have met more than a few gun dealers, but no one is willing to sell arms to anyone with a criminal record. That this made it into a New York Times story is incredibly damning. Thrush also claimed that the ATF took “an abrupt U-turn” from the schemes of Biden and ATF’s former director to “stem the flood of unregulated semiautomatic handguns and rifles that have contributed to mass shootings and exacerbated the violent crime wave that peaked after the coronavirus pandemic.” A flood of unregulated handguns and rifles? Remember that the next time you fill out an ATF Form 4473. The Second Amendment Foundation’s Investigative Journalism Project wouldn’t be possible without you. Click here to make a tax-deductible donation to support pro-gun stories like this.
