By Steve Neavling
The ATF has chosen a new special agent to head up the agency’s Houston Field Office.
Michael Weddel, who has been the regional country attaché for the ATF Central America Regional Office in El Salvador, will begin his new role in February, the Houston Chronicle reports.
“I look forward to partnering with the hard-working local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in this area to combat violent crime by investigating the criminal use of firearms, explosives and arson,” Weddel said in a statement. “We will work relentlessly to bring justice to criminals who use firearms and commit other acts of violence to keep our community safe.”
Weddel’s appointment follows the September retirement of Fred Milanowski, who served as the head agent of the Houston Field Office for seven years.
In other ATF news, ATF Director Steven Dettelbach became the latest public official to be targeted in a swatting incident, ABC News reports.
Authorities determine there was no threat to the director.
Special counsel Jack Smith was also the victim of a swatting incident at his Maryland home on Christmas day.
