New Orleans Field Division
Welcome to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) New Orleans Field Division. Our Division is responsible for ATF criminal enforcement and industry regulatory activities in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas. Our dedicated work force is comprised of special agents, investigators, explosive enforcement officers, auditors, technicians and support staff.
ATF is committed to reducing violent crime in our neighborhoods. ATF’s New Orleans 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 Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas to accomplish this mission.
Explosives and arson enforcement is an integral part of ATF’s overall violent crime reduction strategy. ATF’s New Orleans 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 as mandated by federal 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 (504) 841-7000.
Phillip M. Durham
Division Management Team
- Phillip M. Durham
- Special Agent In Charge (SAC)
- Billy Blair
- Assistant Special Agent In Charge (ASAC)
- Constance Hester
- Assistant Special Agent In Charge (ASAC)
- David K. Strotheide
- Director of Industry Operations (DIO)
- Austin R. Banks
- Public Information Officer (PIO)
Division Contact Information
Receive New Orleans Press Release Updates
Bossier City Man Convicted on Gun Charges
August 24, 2010
A Bossier City resident faces a lengthy prison sentence after a federal jury returned a guilty verdict on felony firearm charges. Billy Dewayne Moore, 32, was convicted by a federal jury of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today. U.S. District Judge Tom Stagg presided at the trial. More »
New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Carjacking
August 19, 2010
JESSE SCOTT, age 19, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, pled guilty in federal court yesterday before U.S. District Judge A. J. McNamara, to conspiracy to use a firearm during a carjacking and carjacking, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten today. More »
Eight Charged in 24-Count Federal Superseding Indictment for Rico, Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering, and Federal Drug and Gun Violations
August 6, 2010
MICHAEL ANDERSON, age 24, HAROLD JONES, age 34, THERON JONES, age 21, JEREMIAH MILLRO, age 23, COREY OLIVER, age 21, DARRYL SHIELDS, age 23, JEROME SIMMONS, age 23, and TONY SIMMONS, age 23, all of New Orleans, Louisiana were charged today in a 24-count superseding indictment with violations of the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization Act, violent crime in aid of racketeering, the federal controlled substances act and the federal gun control act, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten. More »
Convicted Felon Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Firearm Violation
July 23, 2010
OLIN DEREK GRANT, age 44, a resident of New Orleans, was sentenced today in federal court by U. S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey to fifteen (15) years in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten. In addition, GRANT was ordered to serve five (5) years of supervised release during which time he will be under federal supervision and risk additional imprisonment should he violated any terms of the release. More »
Mayor Landrieu and Chief Serpas Announce Project Safe Neighborhoods Enforcement Initiative
July 16, 2010
In keeping with Mayor Landrieu’s commitment to reduce crime, the Mayor and Chief Ronal Serpas announced the dramatic expansion of resources dedicated to the federally-led, multi-part strategy, Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) to combat gun violence in New Orleans. More »
ATF Warns Consumers: Illegal Explosives Devices Are Not Fireworks
June 30, 2010
Special Agent in Charge Phillip M. Durham of the New Orleans Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), ask the public to use caution when celebrating the July 4th holiday with fireworks. More »
Tobacco Farmers Plead Guilty, Forfeit $8 Million in Cash
June 29, 2010
William C. Martin, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Mississippi, Daniel McMullen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Mississippi, and Phillip M. Durham, Special Agent in Charge of the New Orleans Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), announce that… More »
Indictment for Assault Upon a Federal Officer With a Dangerous Weapon
June 11, 2010
BRANDON BANKS, age 24, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was charged today by a Federal Grand Jury in a one-count indictment with forcibly assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten. More »
Gretna Man Indicted for Arson Threats
June 11, 2010
DAVID PATRICK MCGUIRE, age 62, a resident of Gretna, Louisiana, was charged in a three count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury for threats to injure to injure an individual and to destroy a building, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten. More »
Federal Jury Returns Guilty Verdict on Firearms and Drug Charges for Members of Local Street Gang Named 3-N-G
June 4, 2010
DALTON BENNETT, a/k/a “D,” age 39, LANCE BENNETT, age 22, and DANQUELL MILLER, a/k/a “Queezy,” a/k/a “Quee,” age 28, all residents of New Orleans, were convicted today by a federal jury sitting in New Orleans of participating in a conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute more than 50 grams of crack cocaine and a quantity of marijuana, a conspiracy to obstruct justice, and other drug and firearms offenses, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten. More »
Arrests Made on Federal Firearms and State Charges
June 3, 2010
Federal and state law enforcement agents fanned out across Shreveport this morning to serve arrest warrants resulting from Operation: Free Trade, a seven-month undercover sting operation focused on gun and drug violations, United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced. Five defendants were arrested on federal charges, while an additional nine defendants were arrested on state charges. More »
ATF to Hold “GREAT Graduation” Ceremony for Benjamin Bannekar Students
May 17, 2010
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) today announced that the Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T) Program that teaches students to avoid gangs, youth violence and delinquency will graduate 65 eighth graders at the Benjamin Banneker Elementary School on Monday, May 17. Representatives from the office of the U.S. Attorney, and the office of Senator Mary Landrieu will attend the graduation. More »
Mitch Sivina Pleads Guilty to the Unlawful Sale and Transportation of Stolen Cigarettes and Money Laundering
May 17, 2010
William C. Martin, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Mississippi, Daniel McMullen, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Phillip M. Durham, Special Agent in Charge of the New Orleans Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), announce that… More »
New Orleans Man Sentenced for Making Threats to Kill President Obama and for Drug and Firearms Offenses
May 11, 2010
John Turnpaugh, age 47, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced in federal court today by U.S. District Judge Jay Zainey to ninety-six (96) months imprisonment for threats against the President, as well as drug and gun charges, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten. Specifically, the defendant was sentenced to serve 36 months in prison as to charges involving the threat against the president and the drugs, and a consecutive sentence of 60 months as to the gun charge. More »
Kentucky Man Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Distribution of Cigarettes, Money Laundering
May 7, 2010
William C. Martin, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Mississippi, Daniel McMullen, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Phillip M. Durham, Special Agent in Charge of the New Orleans Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), announce that… More »
New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Making Threats to Kill President Obama and to Drug and Firearms Offenses
February 2, 2010
John Turnpaugh, age 47, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, pled guilty today in federal court before U.S. District Judge Jay Zainey to making threats to kill the President; possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute it; and to possessing four firearms in furtherance of his drug trafficking activity, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten. More »
Armed Home Invasion Group Member is Sentenced in Federal Court to Drug and Firearms Charges
January 28, 2010
A member of a violent crime group in Shreveport, Louisiana was sentenced today for planning an armed home invasion to rob rival drug dealers of cash and drugs, Acting United States Attorney William J. Flanagan announced. More »
New Orleans Man Indicted For Making Threats to Kill the President
January 15, 2010
JOHN TURNPAUGH, age 47, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was indicted yesterday in a four count indictment by a federal grand jury for making threats to kill the President, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten. More »
ATF Announces Up to $5,000 Reward For Information on Victorian/Bellemont Apartment Arson
January 13, 2010
Investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office and the Jefferson Parish Fire Department announced today that ATF is posting a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for 5 arson fires since November 14, 2009 at the Victorian Condominiums and Bellemont Apartment Complex in the 6200 block Riverside Drive, Metairie, LA. More »
New Orleans Man Sentenced to Over 14 Years in Federal Prison For Distributing Heroin
January 7, 2010
BRIAN SMITH, age 36, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced yesterday in federal court by U. S. District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle to over 14 years (170 months) in prison for distributing quantities of heroin, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten. More »
Grand Jury Returns Indictment Charging Russellville Area Doctor With Bombing of State Medical Board Chairman
January 6, 2010
Jane W. Duke, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, and Phillip Durham, Special Agent in Charge of the New Orleans Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), announced today the return of a second superseding indictment against Dr. Randeep Mann, age 51, of London, Ark. In addition to earlier charges, Mann is now also charged with the Feb. 4, 2009, bombing of Dr. Trent Pierce, Chairman of the Arkansas State Medical Board. More »