Armed Felon Charged after Allegedly Shooting Fort Lauderdale Police K-9

MIAMI – A grand jury returned an indictment Thursday charging a Fort Lauderdale man with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon after allegedly firing at a police K-9 during a pursuit in Fort Lauderdale.

According to court records, on April 18, law enforcement responded to a residential burglary in which a firearm had been stolen. Officers established a perimeter and, with assistance from aviation and K-9 units, located Christian Bouie, 30, of Fort Lauderdale, hiding in a tree in a nearby yard. When ordered to come down, Bouie fled, scaled a fence, and ran into an adjacent property.

As a police K-9 pursued him, Bouie allegedly pulled out a firearm and fired two rounds at the dog, striking the dog. Bouie continued fleeing before officers ultimately apprehended him. After taking Bouie into custody, officers recovered a firearm from his pocket.

“Police K-9s protect our officers, our neighborhoods, and our families,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “This indictment alleges that a convicted felon unlawfully possessed a firearm and fired at a police K-9 during a pursuit in Fort Lauderdale. When armed felons allegedly endanger law enforcement and the public, our Office will prosecute those cases to the fullest extent of federal law.”

Bouie has prior felony convictions, including a conviction for robbery with a firearm, and is prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal law.

If convicted, Bouie faces up to 15 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Reding Quiñones and Special Agent in Charge Jason Stankiewicz of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Division, made the announcement. 

ATF Miami Field Division is investigating the case, with assistance from the Fort Lauderdale Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney James M. Ustynoski is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Stolen Guns Are Crime Guns: ATF Philadelphia Field Division Provides Tips for Safe Storage To Protect Your Community

Philadelphia – Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) have seen this pattern repeatedly: unsecured firearms stolen from lawful owners, recycled through violent offenders, and used again and again to commit serious crimes. These incidents often escalate in severity, placing innocent bystanders at risk—frequently in ordinary places, in the middle of the day.

For example, Giante Hilliard of West Mifflin was prohibited from owning a firearm because of his multiple felony conviction, including aggravated assault and terroristic threats. In 2023, he was captured on surveillance video during a dangerous gunfire exchange outside a McKees Rocks bar.

Two months later, during a traffic stop, the driver of the car Hilliard was riding in rammed three police vehicles while attempting to escape. After abandoning the disabled vehicle, Hilliard was seen on surveillance video hiding a black bag under a dumpster. Police recovered the bag and found a loaded Smith & Wesson handgun that had been reported stolen, along with approximately 300 doses of a heroin-fentanyl mixture. Ballistic testing confirmed the firearm was the same gun Hilliard used in the McKees Rocks shootout.

The stolen Smith & Wesson handgun used in the 2023 shootout outside a McKees Rocks bar.

While Hilliard was sentenced to more than 16 years in prison in January 2025, many stolen firearms remain in the hands of criminals. And this is not just a big-city problem; in Altoona, 15-year-old Devon Pfirsching was killed in 2020 with a stolen gun that was reportedly purchased through Snapchat.

“When a gun is stolen, it’s not just a loss—it’s a threat to our communities,” said Walter Shaw, special agent with the ATF Pittsburgh Field Office. For ATF agents, investigating gun violence often means responding after serious injuries or death has already occurred. While agents work every day to identify shooters, trace firearms, and disrupt criminal networks, many cases share a troubling starting point: a firearm that was stolen before it was ever used in a crime.

“This is the part of the job we know doesn’t have to happen,” Shaw said. “We can’t always stop someone who is determined to commit violence, but we can prevent many of the guns criminals use from ever getting into their hands.”

Shaw explained that investigators frequently trace violent crimes back to firearms taken from homes or vehicles where they were left unsecured, sometimes only briefly. Once stolen, those firearms often move quickly through illegal networks, making recovery more difficult and increasing the likelihood they will be used in multiple crimes.

“When we recover a stolen gun at a crime scene, we’re already past the point where prevention was possible,” Shaw said. “Secure storage is one of the few points where lawful gun owners can directly interrupt that chain before it starts.”

From an enforcement perspective, secure storage is not about regulation or restriction, it is about eliminating one of the most predictable sources of crime guns. Every firearm that is properly secured is one less opportunity for theft, diversion, and preventable violence.

In fact, most crime guns recovered in Pennsylvania were originally purchased legally within the state. In 2023 for example, ATF traced 17,027 firearms recovered during criminal investigations in Pennsylvania. Of those, nearly 10,000—approximately 59 percent—were originally sold in in our state.

Stolen firearms are a major source of the illegal firearms market. Nationally, 95 percent of stolen firearms are taken from private citizens. Pennsylvania recovery data shows that 94.8 percent of stolen firearms remain in-state. While Pennsylvania ranks as the nation’s ninth most common source for firearms trafficking, stolen firearms predominantly remain a threat to our own neighborhoods.

“These examples show that stolen firearms rarely remain ‘lost,’” Shaw noted. “Instead, they often resurface in violent crimes that hurt Pennsylvania communities.”

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Best Practices at Home

“Secure storage is essential,” Shaw warned. “Guns left unattended in homes, vehicles, or unsecured storage areas provide an easy path for theft and diversion into criminal hands. Firearms should be treated as potential community risks—any gun can be used in a crime if it falls into the wrong hands.”

“If you own a firearm, lock it in a safe or secure lockbox, store ammunition separately when possible, inventory and secure all firearms, and report any loss or theft immediately.”

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) encourages all gun owners to review their firearm storage practices and take steps to ensure firearms are properly secured. NSSF recommends using a combination of safety tools and educating family members on the core rules of gun safety and proper firearm handling.

• CABLE LOCK: Can be used on most firearms, allows for relatively quick access in an emergency, and provides basic protection from theft.
• GUN CASE: An affordable option to conceal, protect, or legally transport a registered firearm.
• LOCK BOX: Integrated locking mechanisms provide reliable protection and allow for legal transport outside the home.
• ELECTRONIC LOCK BOX: Prevents unauthorized access and allows only the individual with the code to access the firearm.
• FULL-SIZE AND BIOMETRIC GUN SAFES: Provide protection from theft and environmental damage while allowing safe storage of multiple firearms.

Download ATF’s safety and security guide for firearms owners.

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Theft From Cars

According to national FBI data, firearm thefts from vehicles have been increasing, particularly in rural areas and parking garages. About half of all firearm thefts from vehicles occur when cars are parked at the owner’s residence.

Locking vehicle doors does not provide secure firearm storage. Glove compartments and center consoles—even when lockable—are not secure and can be easily pried open. Firearms should never be left accessible to children.

If you must store a firearm in your vehicle, take the following steps:

• Always check—and double-check—that firearms are unloaded.
• Use a secure storage device that keeps the firearm out of sight.
• Avoid leaving firearms unattended for extended periods.
• Remove the firearm from the vehicle and return it to secure home storage as soon as you arrive home.

Consider using a lockable gun case or lock box in your vehicle, preferably one secured to the vehicle itself to prevent theft.

Vehicle storage options vary widely in price and design. Some manufacturers offer custom solutions for specific vehicle models, including:

• CAR CONSOLE STORAGE: Custom-fitted units that provide concealment and deter theft.
• VEHICLE CARGO AREA STORAGE: Designed for transporting firearms to the range or field.
• CABLE LOCKS: Can be effective when secured to the vehicle and kept out of sight.

View resources for secure firearms storage in your vehicle 

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My Gun's Been Stolen!

If your firearm is lost or stolen, immediately contact your local law enforcement agency to report the incident. The “time-to-crime”—how quickly a stolen firearm is used in a criminal act—can be alarmingly short.

Providing a complete and accurate description of the firearm is critical for law enforcement investigations, insurance claims, and recovery of the firearm.

ATF strongly recommends maintaining a Personal Firearms Record stored separately from firearms. ATF Publication 3312.8 can be obtained from your local ATF office or downloaded as a fillable PDF from the ATF website. This record is for personal use only and is not collected or maintained by ATF or any other federal agency.

A Personal Firearms Record can help recovery when a firearm is lost or stolen.

By completing and maintaining this record in a safe location, separate from your firearms, you help protect your property and take an important step toward keeping firearms out of the hands of criminals.

“Responsible firearm ownership does not end at the point of purchase,” Shaw emphasized. “Secure storage is not just about preventing unauthorized access in the home—it is about preventing predictable, preventable harm when stolen guns fall into the hands of individuals willing to use them.”

ATF Raises the Reward to $10,000 for Information To Help Identify Person(s) Responsible for Setting Fire to the Home of Adair County Sheriff

Dallas — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Adair County Sheriff’s Office are requesting the public’s help for information that could lead to the identification and/or arrest of the suspect(s) responsible for setting fire to the home of Adair County Sheriff, Jason Ritchie.

On May 19, a fire was reported at the residence of Adair County Sheriff Jason Ritchie. Special agents from the ATF Muskogee Field Office responded and found evidence of forced entry and detected an ignitable liquid. Special agents are pursuing multiple leads; however, no suspects have been identified at this time.

“Fire, when used as a tool of violence, can ruin lives, property, and the American sense of security. ATF has a longstanding working relationship with the Adair County Sheriff’s Office and is determined to locate the individual(s) responsible for this reckless act and hold them accountable. We will continue working alongside our law enforcement partners to protect the community and ensure those who endanger public safety are brought to justice” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge Brian Garner.

Anyone with any information about this crime should contact ATF Muskogee Office at 918-594-1800, Adair County Sheriff’s Office at 918-696-2106 or ATF at 1-888-ATF-TIPS. Information can also be sent to ATFTips@atf.gov or through ATF’s website at www.atf.gov/contact/atftips.

ATF is the federal law enforcement agency primarily responsible for administering and enforcing the criminal provisions of the Federal laws pertaining to arson. More information about ATF and its programs is available at www.atf.gov.

Fitchburg Detective Honored With Hometown Hero Award

MADISON, WIS. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Wisconsin proudly announces that Detective Jordan Trundle of the Fitchburg Police Department has been awarded the inaugural Hometown Hero Award sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice in honor of America’s 250th birthday.

In a ceremony today, U.S. Attorney Chadwick M. Elgersma presented Detective Trundle the award in recognition of his outstanding work as a Task Force Officer with ATF Madison’s Crime Gun Task Force. The task force was formed to reduce gun violence by removing handguns from felons, drug traffickers, and other prohibited persons. The task force also aims to eliminate dangerous machine guns and machine gun conversion devices from Wisconsin communities.

Since joining the task force in July 2024, Detective Trundle has worked tirelessly to make the Fitchburg Police Department a model agency for processing crime guns. Detective Trundle has worked to streamline his department’s procedures for documenting and analyzing firearms used in the commission of federal and state crimes. Detective Trundle has also led in service training sessions to ensure his fellow officers are educated on the new procedures. Through his efforts, Detective Trundle has personally opened approximately two dozen federal firearms cases which have led to eighteen indictments.   

In addition to his contributions to the Crime Gun Task Force,  Detective Trundle was recognized in May 2024 by the Fitchburg Police Department for his outstanding service during a shots fired incident. He has participated in training for the department’s Citizens Academy, including conducting demonstrations on building clearing tactics and K9 apprehension.

“Today we honor one of our absolute best,” said U.S. Attorney Elgersma. “The Western District of Wisconsin is proud to recognize Detective Trundle for his exceptional work and service to his fellow Wisconsinites. He is an extraordinary example of what a law enforcement officer can be, and I am grateful for his continued service.”

The Hometown Hero Award was created in honor of the 250th birthday of the United States of America. The U.S. Department of Justice is proud to honor law enforcement across the country with recognition of the extraordinary service to their fellow citizens.

MAN CHARGED FOR UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A FIREARM AFTER SHOOTING AT GRAND PRAIRIE POLICE OFFICERS.

A previously convicted felon who shot at Grand Prairie Police Department (GPPD) officers during a domestic violence investigation was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould. 

“The Chief in Grand Prairie has been a great friend to this office and to our collective efforts in rooting out violent crime in North Texas.  I told him when I met with him months ago that we would stand up for the men and women under his charge.  Today I’m keeping my promise.  We will always go after those who try to intimidate and harm our great law enforcement officers in North Texas.”

The complaint alleges that on May 2, 2026, GPPD officers were dispatched to investigate a domestic disturbance after a child called to report that things had gotten “physical” while their mom and her boyfriend were arguing.  Upon arrival at the scene, GPPD officers encountered Malik Williams sitting in a silver Altima.  Upon seeing the mother in a blood-stained shirt, officers told Williams that he was not free to leave.  Williams immediately sped off in the Altima and officers pursued with their lights and sirens activated.  Eventually, a GPPD officer executed a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver to force Williams’ car to stop and block the driver’s door so that Williams could not escape.

As the officer got out of his patrol vehicle, Williams shot at him with an AR-15 rifle. A second officer then returned fire. Williams surrendered after he was struck and injured.  He was then taken to a hospital.  Investigators later learned that Williams was on parole for six prior felonies—five of them involving domestic violence against the same domestic violence victim in this case.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Grand Prairie Police Department conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Walt Junker is prosecuting the case. 

U.S. Attorney’s Office Honors Law Enforcement Partners and “Hometown Heroes” During National Police Week

INDIANAPOLIS- On May 15, 2026, United States Attorney Tom Wheeler recognized more than 160 individuals from 33 federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies during the Office’s annual awards ceremony at the Indiana War Memorial & Museum in downtown Indianapolis. Held during National Police Week, the ceremony honored law enforcement professionals whose exceptional work safeguarded communities across Indiana in cases concluded in 2025.

In commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, the U.S. Attorney’s Office named Matt and Laurie Shahnavaz—Founders of the Remember Officer Noah Foundation—as the 2026 Hometown Heroes. This award honors the enduring American ideals of liberty, service, and civic responsibility. Matt and Laurie were recognized for their extraordinary service, unwavering devotion to their community, and steadfast support of law enforcement in carrying forward the mission and legacy of fallen Elwood Police Officer Noah Jacob Shahnavaz.

 Case Awards:

Outstanding Collaborative Investigation

Recognizes cases demonstrating exceptional teamwork and the ability to overcome significant challenges through multi‑agency coordination.

Awarded to: U.S. v. Carranza, et al and U.S. v. Patients Choice Labs

 Project Safe Childhood – Shield of Innocence

Honors those who provide extraordinary assistance to victims of federal child sexual abuse crimes, including sustained emotional support, extensive off‑duty dedication, detailed financial analysis to secure restitution, and resolving complex investigative challenges.

Awarded to: U.S. v. Austin Ryan Lauless, U.S. v. Bryan Lee Fish, and U.S. v. Moises Bojorquez

 L.E.A.T.H Heroism Award

Presented to a case demonstrating extraordinary commitment and fortitude in pursuing justice for domestic violence victims. The award honors IMPD Officer Breann Leath, who was killed in the line of duty while responding to a domestic disturbance. The LEATH Initiative—led by ATF, IMPD, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office—focuses on domestic violence offenders who illegally possess firearms or have significant violent criminal histories.

Awarded to: U.S. v. Pedro Zuniga-Lopez

 Investigative Excellence Award

Recognizes cases that significantly advanced the mission of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice through complex, thorough, and proactive evidence analysis.

Awarded to:  U.S. v. Julian Green, et al and U.S. v. Freire-Pifferrer, et al

 Excellence in the Pursuit of Justice

Presented to a case in which local, state, and federal officials achieved extraordinary results in preventing crime, enhancing community safety, and seeking justice.

Awarded to: U.S. v. James Henley, et al

 Community Impact

Recognizes a case that produced widespread, positive impact on constituents, strengthened law enforcement relationships, and contributed to the lasting legacy of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana.

Awarded to: U.S. v. Desha Morris, U.S. v. Aaron Strong and U.S. v. Kristopher McDonald

 Outstanding Agency Service

Presented to cases that substantially contributed to the mission of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice.

Awarded to: U.S. v. Lawrence Taylor, U.S. v. Otha Watkins II, U.S. v. Jeremy Mack, U.S. v. Mitchell Gibson and Quaylan Anderson v. United States.

Excellence in Appellate Practice

Recognizes an appellate case exemplifying excellence in legal writing, issue preservation, and advocacy before the appellate courts, contributing meaningfully to the development of the law and the protection of the United States’ interests.

Awarded to: U.S. v. Fenner, et al

Participating Agencies

Honorees represented the following 33 agencies:

• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
• Drug Enforcement Administration
• Federal Bureau of Investigation – Indianapolis and Tampa
• Federal Bureau of Prisons – FCC Terre Haute
• Homeland Security Investigations – Indianapolis and Cleveland
• IRS–Criminal Investigation
• U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland
• U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General
• U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Frauds Section
• U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division
• U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General
• U.S. Postal Inspection Service
• Indiana Attorney General’s Homeowner Protection Unit
• Indiana Family and Social Services Administration
• Indiana State Police
• Charlestown Police Department
• Clarksville Police Department
• Cleveland, Ohio Police Department
• Evansville Police Department
• Fishers Police Department
• Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office
• Henry County Sheriff’s Office
• Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department
• Jeffersonville Police Department
• Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office
• Morgan County Sheriff’s Office
• New Castle Police Department
• Plainfield Police Department
• Princeton Police Department
• Richmond Police Department
• Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office
• Zionsville Police Department

Liberty County felon sentenced to 14 years in federal prison after taking firearm from law enforcement officers during courtroom scuffle

BEAUMONT, Texas – A Liberty convicted felon has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for a firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Allen Joe Fregia, Sr., 48, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and was sentenced to 168 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone on May 14, 2026.

According to information presented in court, on April 29, 2025, Fregia was a defendant in a Liberty County courtroom where he had just been sentenced to prison by a State District Judge.  As he was being escorted out of the courtroom by several law enforcement officers, Fregia became enraged and noncompliant, and a scuffle ensued. During the altercation, Fregia removed a firearm from an officer’s gun holster. The officer was able to retrieve the firearm as other officers were able to subdue Fregia.  During the altercation, an officer suffered injuries that required medical attention. Fregia, a previously convicted felon, was prohibited from possessing the firearm.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

This case was investigated by the Texas Rangers, Liberty County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tommy Coleman.

Long Beach Man Sentenced to 2½ Years in Federal Prison for Possessing Molotov Cocktail at Anti-ICE Protest Last Year in Downtown L.A.

LOS ANGELES – A Long Beach man who possessed a Molotov cocktail during an anti-immigration enforcement protest in downtown Los Angeles last year was sentenced today to 30 months in federal prison.

Wrackkie Quiogue, 28, was sentenced by United States District Judge Anne Hwang. 

Quiogue pleaded guilty in November 2025 to one count of possession of an unregistered destructive device. He has been in federal custody since June 2025.

In June 2025, federal law enforcement officials began conducting immigration enforcement operations throughout the greater Los Angeles area. During and following those operations, protests occurred in and around Los Angeles County. While many of the protestors peacefully exercised their First Amendment rights, some individuals directly engaged in violent actions to obstruct, impede, or injure law enforcement officers.

One such protest that turned violent occurred on June 8, 2025, in the Civic Center area of downtown Los Angeles. Members of the crowd threw rocks and bottles at law enforcement officials. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) declared an unlawful assembly. 

One police officer witnessed Quiogue possessing a Molotov cocktail. The glass bottle he held contained a flammable liquid (ethanol) and a source of ignition, namely a yellow piece of cloth soaked in ethanol, which acted as a wick. 

Fearing that Quiogue would light the Molotov cocktail and throw it at the officers, police approached Quiogue, causing him to attempt to flee. As the LAPD officers pursued him, Quiogue threw the unlit Molotov cocktail into the air. LAPD officers subdued and arrested Quiogue, who was holding a lighter in his right hand.

Quiogue admitted to knowingly possessing the destructive device and that he had not registered it with the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record as required by federal law.

“Unlike many of the individuals in the crowd, who were gathered to peacefully exercise their First Amendment rights and protest immigration enforcement operations, [Quiogue] came prepared to instigate violence and inflict harm on the law enforcement officers assigned to protect the Roybal Federal Building,” prosecutors argued in a sentencing memorandum. “[Quiogue]’s premeditated actions endangered the law enforcement officers protecting Roybal Federal Building and the civilians who gathered to peacefully protest.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this matter with the assistance of the Los Angeles Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorney David C. Lachman of the Major Frauds Section prosecuted this case.

Star Prairie Sporting Goods Store Burglarized, $10,000 Reward Offered

STAR PRAIRIE, Wis. – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), in partnership with the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for a February 12, 2026, burglary of a federally licensed firearms dealer in Star Prairie, Wisconsin.

The St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office and ATF are investigating the early-morning break-in, during which a suspect entered through a window and stole nearly 50 firearms and a large quantity of ammunition.

Anyone with information is asked to call the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office at 715-386-4701 or email tipline@sccwi.gov 

Former Dallas Police Department Sergeant Sentenced to 28 Months in Federal Prison for Selling Stolen Service Weapons

A former Dallas Police Department sergeant who sold stolen service weapons was sentenced to 28 months in federal prison, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.

Thomas Fry, 53, of Royse City, Texas, was sentenced on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, by United States District Judge Brantley Starr for possession and sale of a stolen firearm.

“This police officer violated his oath and the public’s trust when he chose to commit a crime,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “Our law enforcement partners work day and night to keep us safe and enforce the law, and our trust and faith in them will not waiver.  We will work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to root out the few bad apples among their ranks.”

“This case strikes at the core of public trust,” said Brian Garner Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Dallas Field Division. “The very individuals entrusted to safeguard our communities must be held to the highest standard. When that trust is violated through the theft and illegal sale of firearms, it endangers the public and undermines the integrity of law enforcement. This 28-month federal sentence sends a clear message: no one is above the law, and those who abuse their authority will be held accountable. ATF remains committed to working alongside our partners to protect our communities and prevent illegal firearms trafficking.

Court records reveal that Fry, who at the time was a sergeant with the Dallas Police Department, admitted to three separate instances of taking a firearm owned by the Dallas Police Department, knowing that the firearms were stolen, and selling them to an Oklahoma pawn shop in June and July of 2022.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the Dallas Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marty Basu prosecuted the case.

Pensacola Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Threatening a Pensacola Police Department Detective

Pensacola, Florida – Tamal W. Jenkins, 20, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced to 20 months in federal prison for interstate threatening communication with intent to extort. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “My office stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the brave men and women of law enforcement who are on the front lines in the fight against crime. They deserve our gratitude and respect for placing themselves in harm’s way every day to keep our communities safe. As this case demonstrates, anyone who harms or threatens to harm a law enforcement officer will be aggressively prosecuted by my office and held accountable.”

Court documents reveal that, in July 2025, the Pensacola Police Department arrested suspects during a homicide investigation. Within days of the arrest, one of the responsible Pensacola Police Detectives received an electronic text message threatening to kill the Detective if she did not release the suspects who are now facing homicide charges.  Through legal process and electronic investigative techniques, law enforcement identified Jenkins as the person who made the threat against the Detective for acting in the course of her official duties.

Jenkins imprisonment will be followed by three years of federal supervised release.  Jenkins also faces a violation of prior state-ordered probation for firearm and drug offenses.

Pensacola Police Chief Eric Winstrom said: “Threats of violence against those upholding the law cannot be tolerated. The Pensacola Police Department is grateful to our federal partners for recognizing the gravity of this incident and ensuring Mr. Jenkins is held accountable.”

The case involved a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the Pensacola Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.