Chicago Field Division
Photo used under Creative Commons from Wikimedia user buphoff
Welcome to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Chicago Field Division. Our Division is responsible for ATF criminal enforcement and industry regulatory activities in the State of Illinois. 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 Chicago Field Division special agents combat firearms violence by focusing their investigative efforts on armed violent offenders, career criminals, gun traffickers and gangs. We also work in partnership with other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies throughout Illinois to accomplish this mission.
Explosives and arson enforcement is an integral part of ATF’s overall violent crime reduction strategy. ATF’s Chicago 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.
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 (312) 846-7200.
Larry Ford
Division Management Team
- Larry Ford
- Special Agent In Charge (SAC)
- Dana K. Nichols
- Assistant Special Agent In Charge (ASAC)
- James Allison
- Assistant Special Agent In Charge (ASAC)
- Michael Fitzgerald
- Director of Industry Operations (DIO)
- Thomas Ahern
- Public Information Officer (PIO)
Division Contact Information
Receive Chicago Press Release Updates
Forty-Three Alleged Members and Associates of the Latin Kings Street Gang Facing State or Federal Narcotics Charges
September 13, 2012
CHICAGO — Twenty-six alleged members and associates of the Latin Kings street gang are facing federal narcotics charges, most of them for their alleged roles in one of two drugtrafficking organizations that supplied and distributed multi-kilogram quantities of heroin, cocaine, and marijuana in Chicago and the south suburbs, federal and local law enforcement officials announced today. An additional 17 defendants are facing related state charges in Cook and Will counties.More »
New Leadership for the Chicago Field Division
August 20, 2012
CHICAGO — W. Larry Ford has returned as the SAC of the ATF Chicago Field Division, which encompasses the entire state of Illinois.More »
Guilty Plea Entered in Firearms Case
August 17, 2012
A Jackson County, Ill., man pled guilty, on April 19, 2012, to a two-count indictment charging Stealing Firearms from a Federal Licensee and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.More »
St. Louis Man Sentenced on Federal Fireram Offense
August 17, 2012
A St. Louis, Missouri resident, Anthony D. Bady, 23, was sentenced in federal court to 30 months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm when he was a previously convicted felon, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.More »
Villa Ridge Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison
August 8, 2012
Tara Michelle Kern, 39, of Villa Ridge, Illinois, was sentenced on August 8, 2012, to 6 months in federal prison, to be followed by 6 months house arrest, for federal gun offenses and obstructing justice, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.More »
Firearms Trafficker Sentenced to 22 Years for Gun and Drug Crimes
July 30, 2012
CHICAGO – Gary Shapiro, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Larry Ford, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Division of the ATF, Garry McCarthy, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department, and Thomas Jankowski, Acting Special Agent in Charge IRS Criminal Investigation Division, today announced Richard Harrington, 35, of Chicago, Ill., was sentenced yesterday to 22 years in prison by Federal Judge Amy St. Eve on various illegal drug violations and money laundering.More »
Kentucky Man Sentenced on Federal Racketeering Conspiracy Charges
July 20, 2012
St. Louis, MO – Carlos Wesley Rose, Sr., a/k/a "PitBull" was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison for Racketeering Conspiracy charges in United States District Court in St. Louis.More »
East St. Louis Man Pleads Guilty to Firearm Offense
July 17, 2012
On July 16, 2012, Lee Marvin Matthews, a twenty-two year old East St. Louis, IL, man, pled guilty to Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a User of a Controlled Substance, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.More »
East St. Louis Man Sentenced for Crack Possession
July 12, 2012
CHICAGO – James T. Keel, 45, from East. St. Louis, IL, was sentenced on July 12, 2012, in District Court in East St. Louis, IL, on one count Possession with Intent to Distribute over 28 grams of crack cocaine, and one count Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Previously Convicted Felon, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.More »
Targeting Rockford Area Gun Crime
July 12, 2012
CHICAGO – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) recently launched an advertising campaign in Rockford, Ill., in an attempt to encourage the public to report firearm-related crimes.More »
Two Men Sentenced on Charges Involving Same Gun
June 29, 2012
Frednardo D. Sykes, of St. Louis, Missouri, and Maurice T. Trimble, of Washington Park, Illinois, were sentenced June 29, 2012, on firearms charges in federal district court, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.More »
Cahokia Man Sentenced for Firearm Offense
June 29, 2012
A Cahokia man, Jamal A. Burgess, 28, was sentenced in United States District Court, East St. Louis, for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Previously Convicted Felon, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Burgess was sentenced to 30 months in prison, a $250 fine, a $100 special assessment, and ordered to serve 3 years on supervised release after his prison term. Finally, he was ordered to forfeit the firearm he possessed. There is no parole in the federal system. Burgess has been in custody since December 29, 2011.More »
East St. Louis Man Max’ed Out
for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
June 29, 2012
An East St. Louis man, Casey M. Rigsby, 20, was sentenced in United States District Court, East St. Louis, for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Previously Convicted Felon, to the maximum statutory term of 120 months (10 years) in prison, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Rigsby was also ordered to pay a $250 fine, a $100 special assessment, and to serve 3 years’ supervised release following imprisonment (also the maximum term of supervised release available).More »
Four Members of Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Arrested on Federal Racketeering Conspiracy Charges
June 22, 2012
St. Louis, MO — Four additional defendants have been charged in connection with Racketeering Conspiracy involving the Wheels of Soul, a nationally prominent Outlaw Motorcycle Gang boasting roughly 400 members.More »
Foreign National Sentenced
June 22, 2012
A man who was indicted along with twenty–five other individuals and charged with being a member of a large cocaine distribution organization, was sentenced in federal court on June 22, 2012, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.More »
Jerseyville Man Pleads Guilty to Multiple Firearm Offenses
June 18, 2012
A Jerseyville man pled guilty on June 15, 2012 , to four counts (he was not charged in the fifth count) of a five-count Indictment charging him with Conspiracy to Make a False Statement During the Purchase of a Firearm (Count 1), Aiding and Abetting a False Statement During the Purchase of a Fireman (Counts 2-3) and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Previously Convicted Felon (Count 4), the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today More »
U.S. Indicts 10 Defendants Arrested for Allegedly Trafficking Millions of Unstamped, Untaxed Cigarettes in Undercover Sting
June 7, 2012
CHICAGO – At an undercover warehouse in suburban Hickory Hills, defendants allegedly brought millions of dollars in cash, firearms, narcotics, and counterfeit cigarette tax stamps to purchase millions of unstamped, untaxed cigarettes from two cooperating individuals working undercover with federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Altogether, between March 2010 and March 2012, defendants allegedly paid more than $20 million to buy more than 100 million cigarettes without paying Cook County and State of Illinois taxes. The investigation resulted in federal charges against more than a dozen defendants, including a veteran Cook County sheriff's police officer.More »
Madison Man Sentenced to Prison for Firearm Offense
June 1, 2012
A Madison, Illinois, man was sentenced to a prison term in federal district court for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on May 31, 2012, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.More »
Local Man & Chicago Area Associate Sentenced on Federal Racketeering Conspiracy Charges
May 29, 2012
St. Louis, MO — Lawrence Pinkston, 42, St. Louis, and Carlyle Fleming, a/k/a Thundercat,
33, Chicago, were sentenced to 63 months in prison and 132 months in prison, respectively; involving their association with the Wheels of Soul Outlaw Motorcycle Gang, a nationwide motorcycle organization claiming chapters in more than 20 states including Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.More »
Sleeping Man Guilty of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
May 25, 2012
A St. Louis man, Jevon Strayhorn, pleaded guilty in United States District Court, East St. Louis, to Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Previously Convicted Felon, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Sentencing is scheduled for September 21, 2012. The charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both, up to 3 years’ supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Strayhorn has been in custody since his arrest on this charge.More »
Herrin Man Pleads Guilty to Firearm Offense
May 22, 2012
On May 21, 2012, Charles Schaubert, a twenty–seven year old Herrin, IL, man, pled guilty to Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Previously Convicted Felon, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Schaubert is scheduled to be sentenced at 10:00 a.m. on August 27, 2102, in United States District Court in East St. Louis, at which time he faces a maximum potential sentence of up to ten years in prison; a fine of up to $250,000, not more than three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment of $100.More »
Fairview Heights Man Sentenced for Firearm Charge
May 22, 2012
Edward Wingo, 37, of Fairview Heights, Ill. — was sentenced in federal district court in East St. Louis on May 21, 2012, to 57 months’ imprisonment on the charge of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Wingo was also ordered to serve 3 years’ supervised release, fined $200, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment.More »
Local Explosives Detection Canine Helps Chicago Prepare for NATO Summit
May 18, 2012
CHICAGO — Leaders from around the world gather in Chicago this weekend for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization 2012 Summit. Law enforcement throughout Chicago, including the Chicago Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), are ramping up security in preparation for the historic event hosted by President Barack Obama, May 20–21.More »
East St. Louis Man Pleads Guilty to the Unlawful Possession of Ammunition by a Previously Convicted Felon
May 16, 2012
An East St. Louis man pled guilty in federal court on May 15, 2012, to an Indictment charging him with the unlawful possession of ammunition by a previously convicted felon, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. At his sentencing, Marquan Johnson, 26, faces a term of imprisonment of not more than ten (10) years, a fine up to $250,000, or both, and a term of supervised release of not more than three (3) years. Johnson also agreed to forfeit the ammunition that he illegally possessed. Sentencing is scheduled for September 6, 2012. Johnson has been detained since his arraignment on December 15, 2011.More »
Federal Jury Finds Rockford Man Guilty of Possessing with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Offense
May 4, 2012
ROCKFORD — A Rockford man was convicted today after a three–day, jury trial on federal firearms and drug charges. The defendant, Alex Alexander, 30, has been in state or federal custody since he was arrested.More »
Des Plaines Man Arrested on Federal Murder–For–Hire Charge
May 4, 2012
CHICAGO ¯ U. S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Patrick Fitzgerald, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Field Division Andrew Traver , and Cook County Sheriff Thomas Dart today made the following announced the arrest of Zenon Gregorczyk, 49, of Des Plaines, Ill., yesterday in Chicago on a murder– for–hire charge.More »
ATF NRT Activated to Investigate Massive Industrial Fire
April 30, 2012
East Joliet, Ill. – The National Response Team (NRT) of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), along with ATF Special Agents from the Chicago Field Division were requested by the East Joliet Fire Department to investigate an overnight fire located at AZZ Galvanizing, 625 Mills Road, East Joliet, Ill. The fire occurred Sunday morning, April 29, destroying the 200,000 square-foot building. The team of two dozen agents and specialists arrived today and will start the scene investigation immediately.More »
Four Indicted for Federal Firearm Charges
April 27, 2012
The United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today that four individuals were indicted on charges stemming from their participation in straw purchases
of firearms (transactions designed to conceal the intended user of the firearm). United States Attorney Wigginton stated: In order to ensure the safety of our citizens, while recognizing the constitutional right of law abiding citizens to legally acquire and possess firearms, my Office will continue to enforce federal laws which explicitly prohibit the falsifying of federal forms in an attempt to arm prohibited persons through firearm transactions.More »
Guilty Plea Entered in Firearms Case
April 24, 2012
A Jackson County, Ill., man pled guilty, on April 19, 2012, to a two-count indictment charging Stealing Firearms from a Federal Licensee and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.More »
Algonquin Attorney Pleads Guilty to Federal Murder for Hire Charge
April 12, 2012
ROCKFORD – An Algonquin, Ill., attorney pleaded guilty today to using an interstate facility, a cell phone, in a murder-for-hire scheme. In pleading guilty, JASON W. SMIEKEL, 30, of Algonquin, admitted to using his cell phone with the intent that a murderfor-hire be committed. Smiekel faces up to 10 years of imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. Smiekel is scheduled to be sentenced on July 17, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. by U.S. District Judge Frederick J. Kapala.More »
Two Chicago Area Men Sentenced on Federal Racketeering Conspiracy Charges
April 11, 2012
St. Louis, MO — The United States Attorney’s Office announced today that two Chicago area residents were sentenced to federal prison for Racketeering Conspiracy charges in United States District Court in St. Louis.More »
WEDGE Task Force Expands – Brings in New Partners
March 28, 2012
Riverside, IL — WEDGE chairman, Riverside Police Chief Thomas Weitzel, announced today that River Grove Police Department has joined WEDGE as a partner and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Chicago branch, will be partnering as a liaison to the WEDGE task force.More »
Cicero Man Arrested on Federal Arson Charge Involving Fatal Fire at West lawn Apartment Building in January
March 22, 2012
CHICAGO – A Cicero man was arrested by federal ATF agents and Chicago police on a federal arson charge for allegedly setting a fatal fire to a southwest side apartment building that killed a resident in January. The defendant, Juan Adame, allegedly was involved in a domestic dispute with a woman who occasionally occupied the apartment where the fire began but who was not there at the time of the fire. The blaze killed a neighbor in an adjacent unit.More »
Rockford Man Sentenced to 30 Months in Federal Prison on Federal Fraud Charges
March 19, 2012
ROCKFORD — A former executive director of the Fountain of Life Improving the Community Academy (Academy
) and pastor of The Fountain of Life Church of God in Christ was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Frederick J. Kapala to 30 months in federal prison on fraud charges. On September 9, 2011, after a three-day federal jury trial, the defendant, Kenneth R. Dismuke, 50, of Rockford, was found guilty of four counts of bank fraud, three counts of bankruptcy fraud, and one count of mail fraud. Dismuke was also sentenced to three years supervised release to be served after his release from prison, and ordered to pay $160,000 in restitution to victims. Dismuke was ordered to report to prison on May 21, 2012.More »
Two Chicago Area Men Plead Guilty to Federal Racketeering Conspiracy Charges
March 1, 2012
St. Louis, MO – The United States Attorney’s Office announced today that two Chicago area residents pled guilty this week to Racketeering Conspiracy in United States District Court in St. Louis.More »
Two Chicago Area Men & Denver Man Plead Guilty to Federal Racketeering Conspiracy Charges
January 27, 2012
St. Louis, MO — The United States Attorney’s Office announced today that two Chicago area residents and a Denver man pled guilty this week to Racketeering Conspiracy charges in United States District Court in St. Louis.More »
Chicago Brothers Charged with Leading Quincy Crack Cocain Trafficking Conspiracy
January 25, 2012
Springfield, Ill. — Two Chicago brothers previously charged in state court in Adams county now face federal charges alleging they conspired to distribute crack cocaine in the Quincy area for more than a year. Sylvester Purham, 22, and Howard Purham, 19, both of Chicago, appeared today in federal court in Springfield. Both are charged in a federal criminal complaint with conspiracy to distribute at least 280 grams of crack cocaine from August 2010 to mid– November 2011, when the brothers were arrested along with others charged in the alleged trafficking.More »
Washington Park Man Trading Drugs for Gun Ends Up Trading Freedom for Term in Prison
January 12, 2012
A Washington Park man was sentenced in federal court on January 13, 2012, on a five–count indictment which charged, in Counts 1–3, distribution of cocaine base; in Count 4, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and in Count 5, being a felon in possession of a firearm, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.More »
Latin Kings’ Nationwide Leader, Augustin Zambrano Sentenced to 60 Years in Prison for RICO Conspiracy and Related Gang Crimes
January 11, 2012
CHICAGO — The highest–ranking leader nationwide of the Latin Kings street gang was sentenced today to 60 years in federal prison, the statutory maximum, after being convicted at trial last April of racketeering conspiracy (RICO) and related charges involving narcotics trafficking and violence that plagued numerous neighborhoods on the city’s north, south and west sides. The defendant, Augustin Zambrano, 51, a Corona
of the Almighty Latin King Nation, who was responsible for overseeing the illegal activities of all factions of the powerful street gang with some 10,000 members in Illinois alone, has been in federal custody since 2009 and must serve at least 85 percent of his sentence.More »
Rockford Man Convicted on Federal Drug Conspiracy Charges
January 6, 2012
ROCKFORD – A federal jury today convicted a Rockford, Ill., man of conspiring to distribute and possession with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin. Charles Gary, 34, also known as Do Dirty,
was found guilty following a three-day jury trial in U.S. District Court in Rockford.More »