ATF

Federal Court Upholds ATF Decision Against Twenty-Nine Palms Tribe in Cigarette Tax Dispute

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Riverside, Calif. – A federal court has upheld a decision by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to block the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians from shipping untaxed cigarettes. U.S. District Judge Sunshine S. Sykes ruled against the tribe, stating there was no arbitrary or capricious action on the part of the ATF, which enforced the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act. The tribe had been permitted by federal law to sell untaxed cigarettes to other Native American nations. However, complications arose when these cigarettes were subsequently sold to non-Native consumers without … Read more

ATF Agent Awarded $1.6 Million After Wrongful Arrest by Columbus Police in 2020

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Columbus, Ohio – An agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has been awarded $1.6 million by a federal court after claiming he was wrongfully arrested by the Columbus police during a 2020 operation. The jury delivered the verdict following a weeklong trial that spotlighted law enforcement practices and inter-agency coordination. The $1.6 million federal jury award rekindles scrutiny of arrest protocols and police conduct during collaborative operations. The ATF agent, James Burk, testified that he was carrying out official duties when he was detained by Columbus officers who misinterpreted his intentions, … Read more