Los Angeles Field Division

The Los Angeles city skyline Photo used under Creative Commons from flickr user RodneyRamsey

Welcome to ATF’s Los Angeles Field Division website. From California’s Central Coast, extending south to the Mexican border, we cover the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Diego and Imperial. Our dedicated work force is comprised of special agents, investigators, auditors, technicians and support staff.

The men and women of ATF Los Angeles are committed to reducing violent crime in our communities. ATF accomplishes this by identifying and targeting specific criminal organizations and the persons responsible for perpetrating violence in our communities. Some of our more notable gang investigations have been the Mongols motorcycle gang, Rancho San Pedro gang, Rollin 30s Crips, Bounty Hunter Bloods, Florencia 13 street gangs, Mexican mafia and the Aryan Brotherhood prison gangs.

ATF Los Angeles is also very proactive in investigating violations of federal law pertaining to arson and explosives. To this end, ATF works closely with local fire departments and police bomb squads. Recently ATF participated in the investigations involving the Hollywood arsonist and the Escondido bomb house and was instrumental in the recovery of evidence that led to the criminal procedures to both of the individuals involved.

ATF also has the duty of regulating the firearms and explosives industry. Our goal is to ensure that all firearms and explosives are stored, handled and sold in a safe manner according to law. In Los Angeles this extends to Hollywood, where filmmakers use firearms and explosives in movie productions.

ATF Los Angeles was the first field division to host a citizen academy for the public to get an inside look at agency. This unique training promotes a more informed community through education about ATF’s mission, regulatory and technical capabilities, and our role in reducing violent crime by enforcing federal firearms, explosive, arson and tobacco laws.

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 (818) 265-2500.

Steven J. Bogdalek


Division Management Team

Steven J. Bogdalek (Bio)
Special Agent In Charge (SAC)
Eric Harden
Assistant Special Agent In Charge (ASAC)
John D'Angelo
Assistant Special Agent In Charge (ASAC)
D. Craig Chillcott
Assistant Special Agent In Charge (ASAC)
Earl T. Kleckley
Director of Industry Operations (DIO)
Christian M. Hoffman
Public Information Officer (PIO)

Division Contact Information

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
550 North Brand Blvd Suite 800
Glendale, California 91203 USA
Voice (818) 265-2500
Fax (818) 265-2501

Operation Red Menace

February 13, 2013

A contingent of 150 federal, state and local law enforcement officials arrested 28 people and seized 19 firearms early yesterday – including fully-automatic and semi-automatic assault rifles, silencers and high-capacity magazines - in connection with a year-long investigation of major methamphetamine traffickers. More »

Two Arrested In Murder-For-Hire Plot

January 28, 2013

LOS ANGELES – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) today announced the arrests of two people in a murder-for-hire scheme targeting a man who was dating the daughter of one of the defendants. More »

Los Angeles Press Release Archive

Photo Gallery

  • Citizens Academy 7 Members Attempting to Make Entry During Tactical Instruction
  • Los Angeles citizens participage in ATF’s Citizens Academy
  • Los Angeles citizens participage in ATF’s Citizens Academy
  • Los Angeles citizens participage in ATF’s Citizens Academy
  • SAC Torres addressing the 6 Mexican Federal Police officers during the ATF Sponsored Crisis Negotiator School held at the LAFD
  • SAC Torres in front of a CFC sign
  • SAC Torres speaking to the audience at the 2011 CFC kickoff
  • SAC Torress and colleagues
  • SAC Torres meeting with the LA Hispanic Youth Symposium delegates
  • Firearms, ammunition, and other evidence from Operation Disarm
  • SAC Torres and Governor Schwarzenegger at a conference about Operation Disarm
  • SAC Torres with CA Alumni and intern
  • 2010 Air show SA White and CA Alumni

View More Photos »