New Leader for ATF Atlanta Field Division

Scott Sweetow takes over as agency head in State of Georgia

ATLANTA, Sept. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Scott D. Sweetow has been named the Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Atlanta Field Division, which encompasses the entire state of Georgia.  Sweetow began his career with ATF in 1990 in Los Angeles and most recently served as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) of the Atlanta Field Division.

Sweetow spent several years assigned in an arson and explosives group, and served as a certified explosives specialist before being selected as an intelligence officer, where he worked a wide variety of sensitive and high profile cases.  He has served on ATF's elite National Response Team (NRT), which investigated such high-profile crimes as the Oklahoma City and the Centennial Olympic Park bombings.  For a decade he has served as a law enforcement trainer in numerous countries across four continents.

Sweetow is now tasked with leading a highly trained group of law enforcement professionals as they continue their fight against violent offenders and the crimes they commit. ATF's mission places them at the forefront in combating violent crime with unique jurisdiction over the tools of the trade, including firearms, explosives and arson.  Sweetow will direct the Atlanta Field Division's criminal enforcement operations and is also responsible for overseeing industry operations in the regulation of the firearms and explosives industry.

"The mission of ATF is unwavering," said Sweetow.  "We will continue to fight violent crime by investigating and partnering in the prosecution of those who seek to reduce the quality of life in our communities.  ATF will continue our great collaboration with the state, local and federal partners who are similarly dedicated to this mission."

Sweetow is a native of Tucson, Ariz. and has a bachelor's degree in Russian and Soviet area studies and a master's in strategic intelligence.  He is a graduate of Harvard University's senior executives in national and international security program. During his ATF career, Sweetow has served as a program manager and chief of the policy development and evaluation branch, Washington, D.C.; chief of the arson, explosives and international training division, Washington, D.C., and a supervisory special agent in the Phoenix Field Division.  Sweetow is a recognized expert in fire and explosives matters, and has often been featured in local and national media on those topics by virtue of his lengthy work in these fields.

More information on ATF and its programs may be located at www.atf.gov

Contact: Special Agent Richard Coes
Cell: (404) 931-0988
www.atf.gov

SOURCE Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives