ATF Seattle

Official Twitter account for the ATF Seattle Field Division, which covers Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, Idaho, Oregon and the U.S. Pacific territories.

[ATF Seattle @ATF_Seattle]

In April, ATF special agents, bomb techs, and explosives specialists assisted NCIS with post blast familiarization training in Honolulu, Hawaii. Post blast courses are designed to teach a systematic method of investigating an explosion scene.
If you want to learn more about ATF's role in the explosives industry, click here ⬇️
https://t.co/x313ijXGO2

[ATF Seattle @ATF_Seattle]

https://t.co/4ioGq9Gk78

[ATF Seattle @ATF_Seattle]

Luke Estep of Boise, Idaho, was sentenced to 3 years in federal prison for trafficking firearms.
Firearms originally purchased by Estep were later recovered after being used in crimes across Idaho, including drug trafficking and violent crimes.

[ATF Seattle @ATF_Seattle]

Hagåtña, Guam
John Donnafield, a previously convicted felon, was sentenced to over 9 years in federal prison for possessing/intending to distribute meth AND being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammo.

[ATF Seattle @ATF_Seattle]

https://t.co/ChH6NTqGnY

[ATF Seattle @ATF_Seattle]

In early June 2025, Hector Flores assaulted two deputies, then fled the scene in a vehicle. Less than a week later, deputies observed Flores driving in Richland, WA, and deployed spike strips. Flores abandoned his vehicle and got a ride from an unknowing good Samaritan. When a deputy tried to stop them, Flores pointed a loaded firearm at the good Samaritan and commanded him to keep driving. The victim pushed the firearm away, stopped his truck and ran. Flores stole the truck, leading deputies on a high-speed chase. A pursuit intervention technique (PIT) maneuver ended the chase.

Flores will spend 15 years in federal prison for carjacking, brandishing a firearm in commission of a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

[ATF Seattle @ATF_Seattle]

https://t.co/PHt73fqM2F

[ATF Seattle @ATF_Seattle]

Today, John Donnafield of Ordot, Guam, was sentenced to over 9 years in federal prison for possessing/intending to distribute meth AND being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammo.
Donnafield is prohibited from possessing firearms due to multiple prior felony convictions, including possessing/intending to distribute meth in 2012.
During a search warrant of Donnafield's residence, law enforcement located meth and a stolen 9mm Baretta pistol.

[ATF Seattle @ATF_Seattle]

https://t.co/xuaWWc31Qe

[ATF Seattle @ATF_Seattle]

Serial Arsonist Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Setting Multiple Wildfires and Illegally Possessing a Firearm

[ATF Seattle @ATF_Seattle]

Yesterday, our Anchorage Field Office responded to an incident at the Wasilla Police Department.
Thomas Desalvo II drove his vehicle into the front entryway of WPD and deployed a can of bear spray before being taken into custody.

[ATF Seattle @ATF_Seattle]

Yesterday, Zachary Vantuyl was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for setting wildfires in the Yakima, Washington, area.

Vantuyl was responsible for setting six wildfires, covering about 1,000 acres.

[ATF HQ @ATFHQ]

Do you have what it takes to be an ATF Special Agent? New agents can earn up to $60,000 in signing bonuses, and experienced agents may receive up to $25,000 when transferring. Veterans receive hiring preference, age‑waiver opportunities, and access to SkillBridge. If you're ready to make an impact in the fight against violent crime, explore your path forward at https://t.co/MkIBtp5pTV #ATFJobs

[U.S. Department of Justice @TheJusticeDept]

🚨JOINT TASK FORCE VULCAN: More than 25 Defendants Charged in Nationwide Tren de Aragua Crackdown Resulting in the Seizure of Over 80 Firearms and Narcotics in Homeland Security Task Force Investigations

“In a few days, the Justice Department and its partners on Joint Task Force Vulcan carried out a nationwide takedown of vicious Tren de Aragua terrorist networks—depraved, violent offenders who have illegally invaded our country and preyed upon American communities,” said Acting Attorney General @DAGToddBlanche. “This effort underscores the Trump Administration’s dedication to restoring public safety, dismantling violent firearms and drug trafficking networks, and enforcing law and order.”

🔗: https://t.co/yxktgUOnOq

[ATF Seattle @ATF_Seattle]

BREAKING NEWS
ATF Special Agents are responding to Portland, OR, after a suspect drove through the front entrance of the Multnomah Athletic Club this morning. Please direct all media inquiries to @PortlandPolice, the lead investigating agency.

[ATF HQ @ATFHQ]

🚨Breaking: The Senate has confirmed Robert Cekada to be the new Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, making him only the third Senate-confirmed leader in the agency’s history and the first active ATF Special Agent to hold the title of director.

A law enforcement veteran with more than 30 years of dedicated service, Cekada brings extensive experience and steady leadership to the role. President Trump nominated Cekada originally Nov. 18, 2025. He well-positioned to guide the ATF into its next chapter with a proven track record of taking violent criminals off the streets while protecting Constitutional rights of Americans. More at https://t.co/PgIuazAsEM.

[ATF Seattle @ATF_Seattle]

https://t.co/4uOrLmpuDh

[ATF Seattle @ATF_Seattle]

SEATTLE, WA
In November of 2022, Maar Rambang went on a King County-wide crime spree that left one of his victims with a gunshot wound.
This week, Rambang was sentenced to 27 years in prison for multiple counts of carjacking and using a firearm in a crime of violence.
Read the full press release below ⬇️

[ATF Seattle @ATF_Seattle]

A federal firearms trafficking case came to a close last week after the arrest of several Indian Pride Organization Blood gang members suspected of buying firearms in Montana and trafficking them to Eastern Washington for gang-related activity.

@ATFHQ partnered with the Spokane County Sheriff's Office Regional Anti-Violence Enforcement & Narcotics unit and the @USAO_EDWA to investigate and prosecute this case.

[ATF Seattle @ATF_Seattle]

https://t.co/NKvZRMnu2k

[ATF Seattle @ATF_Seattle]

Yesterday, Devon Wright was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to two counts of Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

Wright was caught on two separate occasions with firearms. The second time, Wright was stopped in a stolen vehicle and before exiting placed a loaded handgun inside the purse of another occupant. ⬇️