Dallas Field Division
Photo used under Creative Commons from Wikimedia user Drumguy8800
Welcome to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Dallas Field Division. Our Division is responsible for ATF criminal enforcement and industry regulatory activities in the Northern half of Texas (Tyler to El Paso), as well as the State of Oklahoma. Our dedicated work force is comprised of special agents, investigators, explosive enforcement officers, canine handlers, auditors, technicians, legal counsel and support staff. Additionally, one of five ATF Special Response Teams (SRT) is based in Dallas.
ATF is committed to reducing violent crime in our neighborhoods. The Special Agents of the Dallas Division combat firearm violence by focusing their investigative efforts on armed violent offenders, career criminals, gangs and gun traffickers. This includes efforts to stem the flow of firearms into Mexico which fuels the violence among the drug cartels. We also work in partnership with other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies throughout Texas and Oklahoma to accomplish this mission.
Explosives and arson enforcement are an integral part of ATF’s overall violent crime reduction strategy. ATF’s Dallas Field Division special agents combat arson and explosive-related crimes by conducting independent investigations and by working in partnership with local and state fire investigators and police bomb squads. Also, ATF provides post-blast training for local investigators and bomb technicians. ATF’s explosives expertise will be utilized for security purposes when Super Bowl XLV comes to Arlington, Texas in February of 2011.
ATF also has the duty of regulating the firearms and explosives industry. The Industry Operations Investigators work to ensure that all firearms are stored, handled and in a safe manner according to law. Investigators conduct periodic inspections of firearms and explosives licensees. ATF Industry Investigators play an integral part in preventing domestic and international firearms trafficking.
We encourage all residents to get involved and assist us in our goal of reducing crime in our communities. If community members have information regarding any violent criminal activity in this region, do not hesitate to contact the Dallas division at (469) 227-4300.
Robert R. Champion
Division Management Team
- Robert R. Champion
- Special Agent In Charge (SAC)
- Michael A. Golson, Sr.
- Assistant Special Agent In Charge (ASAC)
- Kenneth L. Chisholm
- Assistant Special Agent In Charge (ASAC)
- Megan A. Bennett
- Director of Industry Operations (DIO)
- Thomas Crowley
- Public Information Officer (PIO)
Division Contact Information
Receive Dallas Press Release Updates
Seven Street Gang Members Arrested on Federal Charges for Running a Drug Distribution Conspiracy in Dallas
September 2, 2010
Seven alleged members of violent local street gangs, who allegedly ran a drug distribution conspiracy in the Highland Hills and Pleasant Grove areas in Dallas, were arrested this morning on charges outlined in one of two federal indictments returned last month and unsealed late yesterday and today, announced U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas. More »
Former El Paso FBI Agent Sentenced for Federal Firearms Violations
August 24, 2010
United States Attorney John E. Murphy announced that in El Paso this morning, former Federal Bureau of Investigation special agent John Shipley was sentenced to two years in federal prison for violating federal firearms laws. More »
Man Admits Role in Attempted Murder-for-Hire of Brown County, Texas, Judge
June 10, 2010
U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks, of the Northern District of Texas, announced that Jeffrey Dwayne Harrison, 49, pleaded guilty today to his role in the attempted murder-for-hire of Judge Stephen Ellis, 35th Judicial District Court Judge of Brown County, Texas. U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings ordered a presentence investigation report with sentencing to be scheduled after the completion of that report. More »
$25,000 Reward Offered for Information in Suspicious Device Incidents in East Texas
March 31, 2010
Robert R. Champion, Special Agent in Charge for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Randall C. Till, Fort Worth Division Inspector in Charge for the United States Postal Inspection Service announced today a reward up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for placing suspicious devices throughout the East Texas area. More »
ATF Enters Investigation Into Saw Mill Fire
March 3, 2010
The National Response Team (NRT) of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), along with ATF special agents from Tyler have entered the investigation into a fire at the Anthony Forest Products, located at 515 South Louise in Atlanta, Texas. More »
East Texas Arson Task Force Arrests Two
February 21, 2010
Today, law enforcement members of the East Texas Church Arson Task Force arrested two men in connection with the 10 church arsons that began on January 1, 2010. These fires occurred in the Henderson, Smith and Van Zandt Counties. More »
East Texas Arson Task Force Releases Sketches
February 12, 2010
Robert Champion, Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), released three composite sketches of individuals that investigators would like to identify and interview in relation to the some of the church arsons that have occurred in the Henderson, Smith and Van Zandt Counties since January 1. More »
Arlington, Texas Explosives Detection Canine Helps Miami Prepare for Super Bowl XLIV
February 5, 2010
Not everyone participating in this year’s Super Bowl is a football player. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF) have fielded their best players to help prepare for a safe and secure Super Bowl XLIV. These pros include ATF K-9 explosives detection teams that have been deployed to Miami from around the country. The K-9 teams are working side-by-side with other federal, state and local law-enforcement officers to keep the football teams and fans safe throughout this event. More »
ATF National Response Team Activated to Investigate Church Fire in Wills Point, Texas
February 4, 2010
The National Response Team (NRT) of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) along with ATF special agents from the Tyler Field Office, Dallas Field Division, have been activated to investigate a fire at the Russell Memorial United Methodist Church, located at 400 South 4th Street, Wills Point. More »
ATF Enters Investigation Into Church Fires in Tyler, Texas
January 19, 2010
The National Response Team (NRT) of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), along with ATF special agents from Tyler have entered the investigation into two church fires in Tyler. There have been six church fires in the East Texas area since January 1st. More »