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Crime

Machine Gun Stolen, Undercover Agents’ Names Exposed After Botched ATF Sting — Now Lawmakers Demand Answers

Feb. 1, 2013 12:11pm Madeleine Morgenstern

Lawmakers Demand Answers About ATF Phony Storefront Operation in Milwaukee

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are demanding answers after a damning news report this week outlined an almost unthinkable series of errors in a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives sting operation.

For 10 months, ATF agents in Milwaukee ran a storefront operation meant to bust criminals for gun and drug violations. But the operation inside the phony store “Fearless Distributing” didn’t take down any major drug dealers or gang members — instead, the store was robbed of $35,000 worth of merchandise, an agent’s machine gun was stolen, and a document with the names and phone numbers of undercover agents was left behind after the operation was shut down, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

It’s the latest embarrassment for the agency still under the cloud of Operation Fast and Furious. On Thursday, some of the top Washington lawmakers investigating that failed operation turned their attention to the ATF’s actions in Milwaukee with a letter to ATF Acting Director Todd Jones.

In it, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), ranking member on the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Reps. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), Robert Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) laid out the allegations of failure and mismanagement and set a two-week deadline for answers to 22 specific questions.

“If these reports are accurate, your ability to provide this leadership is in serious doubt,” the letter stated. “You promised to ‘hit the reset button’ when you became acting director. Instead, it appears as though you have hit the ‘repeat’ button, as the Fearless Distributing sting was created and conducted entirely under your stewardship.”

According to the Journal Sentinel, the ATF opened the fake store last year and staffed it with undercover agents who, under the guise of selling clothes and shoes, “let it be known” that they were willing to buy guns and drugs — and at a premium. In one case, an ATF agent paid $1,250 for a handgun with an auction value of just $400 to $700.

In total, the sting resulted in charges filed against just 30 people — mostly for low-level drug or gun counts — but agents also got the wrong person in at least three instances, including one who was actually in prison at the time, the newspaper reported.

“I have never heard of those kinds of problems in an operation,” retired ATF agent Michael Bouchard told the Journal Sentinel. “Sure, small bits and pieces, but that many in one case? I have never heard of anything like that.”

ATF spokesman Special Agent Robert Schmidt did not immediately return a request for comment from TheBlaze, though insisted to the Journal Sentinel that the agency’s operation had made the streets of Milwaukee safer.

“Our number one responsibility is denying criminal access to firearms and that is what we are trying to do,” Schmidt said. “It is our duty to purchase these firearms to protect the American public and citizens of Milwaukee.”

The search continues for the still-missing M-4 .223-caliber fully automatic rifle and another handgun stolen out of an agent’s Ford Explorer. A third gun stolen at the same time was recovered — it was sold back to Fearless Distributing for $1,400. Schmidt told the Journal Sentinel the agency is “actively looking for any missing firearms that might be out there right now.”

“The mismanaged operation included numerous careless and costly mistakes,” Rep. Sensenbrenner said in a statement to Fox News. “Along with my colleagues, I am asking the ATF what happened in Milwaukee and who will be held accountable. I want to know how these glaring blunders could happen. How did ATF—for the second time that we know of—put guns in the hands of dangerous criminals?”

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

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Comments (120)

Uechi
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 7:43pm
Just go on the Internet and ask the thief to fill out a 4473 and get the appropriate background check and pay the stamp fee. Any bets that the firearm winds up killing some Mexican in Mexico. What a bunch of incompetent fools. Your Messiah Government in action.

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Your Grannie
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 6:20pm
0bysmal’s Bureaucratic BOZOS at “work” on the taxpayer’s dime.

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Rileydj
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 6:12pm
Eric Holder (AG) and B Todd Jones (ATF Dir) – two more obamaniacs

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Kolbie
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 6:02pm
At this rate, by the time Obama leaves office every person desiring a fully automatic weapon will have their choice available for a small price. As these “free” weapons continue to hit the streets, the real gun dealers will have to go out of business due to low sales.

Don’t expect any of the ATF employees to lose their job over this. Remember, Hillary has already testified that government employees have job rights. You can’t fire them just because they cannot perform their job.

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Ironeagle
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 5:48pm
Bumbling dopes. The reason sh_t like this happens is those who lead don’t hold buffoon’s like this accountable. Attitudes become lazy and sloppy–this is what you get. It starts at the top.

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LibertyGoddess
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 4:21pm
How come we haven’t heard about Obama’s indictment?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nX2dwrI_ZEw

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HuskerDave
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 4:03pm
Find me the clause in the Constutition that authorizes ANY federal regulation of alcohol, tobacco, or firearms… anyone? anyone?.. uh huh… completely extraconstitutional. Therefore, per Amendment 10, UNconstitutional.

Just another federal money pit. This incompetence makes it doubly shameful.

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somedaycame
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 3:40pm
ATF should be a store. not a government agency

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Jegsimmons
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 3:37pm
Remember people…this wasnt an m16 (AR-15)

this is the huge frikkin rifle we used BEFORE we switch to the m16.

Its basically a sniper rifle big enough to kill buffalo (uses the 7.62mm or the .308 round found in AK-47s)
and we drop 20 people people the cops show up and god forbid anything short of the army shows up because the .308 pierces most police armor and car doors.

in short.

the ATF screwed up BIG TIME.
I mean really really really big time screw up.

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- Jegsimmons
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 3:42pm
  Disreagrd this, i mis read.
  
  it was an m-4 which is an Ar-15 variant.
  
  My mistake.
  
  either way…this is pretty damn bad…
  
  Report this comment
BostonHarold
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 3:36pm
The bad guys know that Federal agents have a state-of-the-art weapons arsenal in a gun safe in the back of their SUV’s. They watch and wait for them to leave their Explorers unlocked.and running at a crime scene. It’s happened before.

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toomuchgovt
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 3:30pm
So first they handed guns to the mexican drug cartel, now are they handing them to the muslims in Dearborn? Why else would they choose Michigan? It appears “that guy” knows exactly what he is doing, disarm law abiding America loving citizens, arm America hating “citizens” and illegals. Yep makes sense to me.

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JEANNIEMAC
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 3:11pm
http://www.petition2congress.com/9026/start-immediate-investigation-barack-obamas-use-forged-ids-ct-ssn/
Check out this petition for Congress to investigate Obama’s use of forged and fraudulent IDs

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msjoe43
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 3:03pm
ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) Agents = Incompetent
what? no 24 hour security or surveillance cameras of storefront if someone try to steal or drive off. The ATF agents where not pro-active against crime and learn what works for other storefront business owners.

Incompetent – being unable or legally unqualified to perform specified acts or to be held legally responsible for such acts.

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Ben__Franklin
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 3:01pm
Dear Mz Diane Frankenstein,

From careful observation, The US Government is the group that are irresponsible gun owners. Please turn all your “Assault Weapons” and greater than 30 round Mags to We The People.

Thank You, and here is “your sign” – GUN FREE ZONE to be placed in your front yard for personal protection.

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AR154ME
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 2:44pm
M4′s are not machine guns!! Can you please get that straight. This is as bad as all the media outlets calling an AR15′s assault weapons. M4=select fire, AR15=semi-auto, M240=machine gun fun. You need to be more correct this day and age with all the heat on firearms and their owners.

P.S. ATF=A**hole Terrorist Firm

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- Ben__Franklin
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 2:57pm
  Can an M4 be full Auto as part of its selection?
  
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txdavo
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 2:43pm
What was an agent doing with an unsecured fully automatic (a true assault weapon) weapon in his Ford Explorer in a questionable part of Wilwaukee? Were they working to create another crisis to take advantage of?

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MisterSarcastic
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 2:38pm
Seems the ATF would screw up a one car funeral.

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Ruprecht
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 2:32pm
Fumducks.

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spirited
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 2:29pm
“Yes We Can” was promoted as a positive message in order to excite and unite “folks” for votes.
Who’s “We”? –Can what?? Get away with repeatedly screwing things up (big time)???

There’s a man in jail for attempting (attempting) to make money by selling Obama’s old Senate seat.
He was removed from his elected job… and then found guilty; primarily for his intention.
Yes, (primarily for) INTENTION.
No one died, no money was exchanged, no dangerous guns were sold or give to potential killers…. AND HE’S IN JAIL! -lol

We need to stop accepting all the non-answers, excuses, “I apoligize” and “I take responsibility”…, without any personal ramifications!!! People need to be held accountable for –beyond– poor performance of the jobs they are paid to do.

Bottom up, top down?
>The top dogs need to be held accountable ~~> along with the bottom-workers.

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DEMSfightinwords
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 2:27pm
So thats why they are trying so hard to get everyones guns. They keep giving theirs away.

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- Ben__Franklin
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 3:07pm
  Looks more like a Money Laundry scheme for Eric Holder. AFT sets up shop and lets supposed criminals steal their guns, and then pays them $1K to buy them back. Some where in America Holder has a freezer full of cash. Charlie Rangle gave Holder points to follow on the freezing process.
  
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walnutportconservative
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 2:18pm
What difference does it make.
The goal must be… Global Goal Folks.
The goal is to dry up the supply. Didn’t the UN suggest this before Di-Fi?
Defund the UN

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Ceefour
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 2:12pm
These clowns are always good for a laugh…..

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high school drop out
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 2:12pm
Whenever I hear the name “A.T.F… I imagine I hear the theme music from the ‘bozo the clown show”…I wonder why?

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- Ben__Franklin
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 3:09pm
  Gomer Pyles in Black Suburbans
  
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Tom70
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 2:02pm
Investigate what? “What does it matter,” who cares all we will get is the Holder dance a skate around unless it’s just some poor bottom of the ladder employee’s. Then the thunder weight of the entire Govt. will fall on those poor bastards. Or Maybe they slipped into the hands of some Muslim terrorist like the Fort Hood terrorist(can I call him that yet?)and then we will surly get the Holder dance and skate rutine.

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Josho83
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 2:00pm
During the evening the GOVT. wants to push gun control in ur face and wants to ban good responsible people from owning guns, with the help of the media of course!!! During the early morning hours though their giving bad and very unresponsible people machine guns and cash, wasting tax dollars on whatver the hell they want!!! Im starting to think that events like this are all part of the govt’s master plan!!! Unfortunately this country is going to **** fast, Thanks Obama!!!

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