NEW LEADER FOR ATF HOUSTON FIELD DIVISION

Melvin King Takes Over as Agency Head in South Texas

Melvin D. King, Jr. has reported to Houston as the new Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Houston Field Division which encompasses all of Southern Texas. Mr. King brings 27 years of law enforcement experience to Houston. In his tenure with ATF, King has investigated the entire range of crimes under ATF’s jurisdiction and has held numerous positions in the field and in headquarters.

King began his law enforcement career with the U.S. Secret Service in 1985. In 1988, King was hired by ATF and was assigned to the Washington Field Division, Richmond Field Office. While in Richmond, King was one of the founding members of "Project Exile," a firearms violence reduction strategy that has been adopted by over 100 cities throughout the country.

King was promoted in 1999 to the Resident Agent in Charge of the Camden Field Office and then assigned to ATF Headquarters Legislative Affairs Office in 2003. In 2004 he was assigned to Internal Affairs, Office of Professional Responsibility and Security Operations and was promoted to Assistant Special Agent in Charge in 2006. In 2007, King was selected as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Charlotte Field Division, Columbia Office where he supervised law enforcement groups in South and North Carolina.

"I am happy to be here in South Texas and under my leadership we will continue the ATF mission to reduce violent crime and stop firearms trafficking to criminals both domestically and internationally," said King. "I plan to continue to work closely with other law enforcement agencies and prosecutors. Another one of my priorities will be to partner with the firearms and explosives dealers in South Texas as we conduct our mission to regulate the industry."