Baltimore Field Division
Photo used under Creative Commons from flickr user sneakerdog
Welcome to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division. Our Division is responsible for criminal enforcement and industry operations in the States of Maryland and Delaware. Our dedicated work force is comprised of special agents, industry operations investigators, intelligence research specialists, forensic auditors, technical operations officers and support staff. ATF is a unique law enforcement agency that protects our communities from violent criminals, criminal organizations, the illegal use and trafficking of firearms, and explosives, acts of arson and bombings, and the illegal diversion of alcohol and tobacco products. We are strategic in our efforts to reduce violent crime and protect our public.
From neighborhood to nation
Baltimore Field Division’s top priority is to address and investigate violent crime. Special Agents combat firearms violence by focusing our investigative efforts on armed violent offenders, armed career criminals, illegal gun traffickers and violent criminal gangs. We are committed to protecting our neighborhoods and our nation from those who illegally commit the crime of arson, or use explosives in violent crime and related incidents. Baltimore’s Arson and Explosives Group brings together specialized assets and expertise in arson and explosives investigations. Our Special Agents participate in high–profile arson and explosive–related investigations that affect the quality of life of our citizens.
ATF’s Baltimore Field Division leads the law enforcement effort in Maryland EXILE. This program works to identify repeat violent offenders and career criminals who have been arrested for firearms–related offenses on the State level; specifically in Baltimore, Prince George’s, Frederick, and Wicomico counties. These cases are investigated and referred for prosecution in the Federal system where the minimum mandatory sentences are more severe, and there is no possibility of parole. Operation FED–UP (Federal Enforcement and Detention in Urban Policing) is an exile
type project led by the Special Agents in our Wilmington Field Office. Since the inception of both programs, hundreds of violent offenders have been "exiled" from the neighborhoods of both Maryland and Delaware.
In October 2010, the Baltimore Field Division launched a new Firearms Trafficking Team, a squad strategically focused on determining the source of illegal guns. We know that the best way to address the violence in and around the city is to identify the source of illegal firearms. By implementing a new intelligence component, we can more effectively learn how illegal guns are being obtained. We have partnered with over 16 state and local law enforcement agencies in Maryland to address the gun trafficking issue, by working significant trafficking investigations. Since its inception, our Firearms Trafficking Team has taken over a thousand illegal weapons off the streets.
In 2003, in response to crime statistics and violence among the growing gang community, ATF’s Baltimore Field Division established the Regional Area Gang Enforcement (RAGE) unit. RAGE is tasked to investigate, prosecute, and dismantle violent gangs throughout Maryland and the Washington DC Metropolitan region. Since its inception, RAGE has identified and investigated hundreds of members of various gangs in the Maryland/DC Metropolitan area, to include the La Mara Salvatrucha (MS–13) gang, the Latin Kings, and those belonging to the 18th Street gang. Several defendants have been charged under the RICO statute, a law which not only holds them responsible for their own actions, but those violent actions of the entire gang as well.
ATF is responsible for regulating the firearms and explosives industries. ATF protects our communities by preventing the illegal use and trafficking of firearms and explosives, and ensuring that all firearms and explosives are stored, handled and sold in a safe manner that is in accordance with Federal law. The Baltimore Field Division’s Industry Operations Investigators (IOIs) oversee the inspection of over 2,300 Federal Firearms Licensees (FFL) and over 125 Explosives Licensees/Permittees within the states of Maryland and Delaware. Our top priority is to educate and ensure compliance amongst our firearms and explosives licensees, and to provide guidance and instruction in order to meet such compliance. Through education, compliance, and the imposition of penalties, our Industry Operation Investigators work to enforce firearms and explosives laws and regulations in order to keep our communities safe.
ATF also investigates crimes involving the illegal diversion of tobacco products within the United States, as well as the trafficking of contraband/counterfeit cigarettes and counterfeit tax stamps into the United States. To combat the growing problem of cigarette trafficking, the Baltimore Field Division has launched several proactive investigations throughout Maryland and Delaware.
ATF works in conjunction with our Federal, state and local partners to investigate and arrest the most violent offenders, and bring them to justice. This alliance supports our mission of reducing violent crime and protecting our public by removing these violent offenders from our neighborhoods. We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to bring safety and security to our citizens – today and every day. It is our hope, and our expectation that our combined efforts will result in safer communities throughout Maryland and Delaware, and across this great nation.
As we continue the fight in the war against violent crime, ATF remains committed to keeping the public safe by putting violent criminals behind bars – one community at a time. With you and your families in mind, I proudly lead the Baltimore Field Division in fulfilling this mission. Thank you.
Steven L. Gerido
Division Management Team
- Steven L. Gerido
- Special Agent In Charge (SAC)
- Steven Pugmire
- Assistant Special Agent In Charge (ASAC)
- Ashan Benedict
- Assistant Special Agent In Charge (ASAC)
- Gary Bangs
- Director of Industry Operations (DIO)
- Mike Campbell
- Acting Public Information Officer (PIO)
Division Contact Information
Receive Baltimore Press Release Updates
ATF Offers $5,000.00 Reward in Gun Store Burglary
February 03, 2013
Baltimore, Maryland — Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Steven L. Gerido of the Baltimore Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearmsand Explosives (ATF),today announced a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the burglary of Glade Valley Sporting Goods, a federally licensed firearms dealer, located at 1728 North Market Street, Frederick, Maryland. More »
Baltimore Man Indicted on Gun and Drug Conspiracy Charges Resulting in Two Murders
January 30, 2013
Baltimore, Maryland — A federal grand jury has indicted Kyle Stevens, a/k/a Cappo,
age 22, of Remington, Maryland, on two counts of use of a firearm in furtherance of a drug conspiracy related to two murders and one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine and oxycodone. The indictment was returned on January 17, 2013, and unsealed on January 29, 2013, upon Stevens’ arrest. More »
Oxon Hill Man Exiled to 16 Years in Prison on Gun and Drug Charges
January 28, 2013
Greenbelt, Maryland — Chief U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow sentenced Antonio Timothy Bailey, age 34, of Oxon Hill, Maryland, today to 16 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine base, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. More »
Baltimore Cocaine Trafficker Exiled to 10 Years in Prison
January 28, 2013
Greenbelt, Maryland — Chief U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow sentenced Antonio Timothy Bailey, age 34, of Oxon Hill, Maryland, today to 16 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine base, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. More »
Former Postal Employee Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison for Stealing a Postal Money Order Purchased by a Customer
January 23, 2013
Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge William D. Quarles, Jr. sentenced Dana Lind Nixon, age 27, of Baltimore, Maryland, today to two years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for stealing a postal money order purchased by a customer. Nixon also set fire to the Postmaster’s office in an attempt to cover up the theft. Judge Quarles ordered Nixon to pay restitution of $4,006.29. More »
18 Defendants Charged With Operating a Large Scale Drug Organization in Anne Arundel and Howard Counties
January 15, 2013
Baltimore, Maryland – Eighteen defendants alleged to be part of a large drug trafficking organization operating in Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, Maryland; New Jersey; and California, have been charged in connection with distributing large amounts of marijuana, diverted pharmaceuticals, steroids, cocaine and other controlled substances.... More »
Baltimore Man Exiled to 10 Years in Prison on Drug Charges
January 3, 2013
Baltimore, Maryland — U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar sentenced Corey Brian Barnes, age 28, of Baltimore, Maryland, today to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Judge Bredar also found that Barnes is a career offender based on two previous drug trafficking convictions. More »