ATF Announces 16 Arrests in Everett, Washington

EVERETT, Wash., June 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The ATF Violent Gang Task
Force, along with the Everett Police Department's Anti-Crime Team (ACT) and
the Snohomish County Regional Drug Task Force (SRDTF), executed numerous
federal and state arrest warrants and two federal search warrants during the
"Snohomish County Gang Project" announced Special Agent in Charge Kelvin N.
Crenshaw of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
Seattle Field Division. The individuals arrested allegedly operated an
intricate narcotics trafficking business in and around the city of Everett.
They were arrested on both federal and state firearms and drug charges.

Five defendants - charged with federal firearms and federal drug violations -
were arrested without incident this week, capping a nine-month investigation.
Investigators recovered firearms, including a machine gun, and significant
amounts of narcotics. Eleven defendants were arrested on state drug charges.
At this time five defendants remain at large.

"ATF's primary concern is the safety of our citizens. By removing these
violent gang members from our streets, we can reclaim our neighborhoods so our
residents and children can enjoy their freedom without fear of injury or drug
dealers," Crenshaw said. "ATF and our law enforcement partners will strive to
make our streets safer by targeting these violent armed criminal organizations
and putting their vicious members in prison."

"The recently completed ATF/Everett PD investigation of drug, illegal weapons
and gang activity in the Casino Road area of Everett resulted in the arrest of
numerous individuals who have negatively impacted the lifestyles of all who
live in south Everett," Chief Jim Scharf of the Everett Police Department
said. "These investigations are manpower and time intensive, which require
federal assistance for successful outcomes. We are very appreciative of the
support we received from ATF and look forward to future cooperative
investigative partnerships."

The ATF Violent Gang Task Force is a coordinated effort by the Seattle Police
Department, King County Sheriffs Office, Kent Police Department, Washington
Department of Corrections and ATF.

The public is reminded that all persons arrested are only alleged to have
committed a crime. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it is
the government's burden to prove a defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt
in a court of law.

More information on ATF and its programs can be found at www.atf.gov

Contact: ATF Special Agent Nick Starcevic
(206) 389-5904
Sgt. Robert Goetz, Everett Police Department
(425) 257-8404

SOURCE Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

ATF Special Agent Nick Starcevic of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms
and Explosives, +1-206-389-5904; or Sgt. Robert Goetz of the Everett Police
Department, +1-425-257-8404