ATF Houston Field Division gets new Special Agent in Charge

The Houston Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has a new leader, according to a recent release from ATF.

Melvin King Jr. will now head the office as the new Special Agent in Charge.

“I am happy to be here in South Texas, and under my leadership we will continue the ATF mission to reduce violent crime and stop firearms trafficking to criminals both domestically and internationally,” King said. “I plan to continue to work closely with other law enforcement agencies and prosecutors.”

King’s law enforcement career began in 1985 with the U.S. Secret Service. King later joined ATF in 1988 and was assigned to the Washington Field Division, Richmond Field Office. While there, King co-founded “Project Exile,” a firearms-related violence reduction initiative that has been used by more than 100 cities across the United States.

In 1999, King was promoted to Resident Agent in Charge of the Camden Field Office and was later assigned to ATF Headquarters Legislative Affairs Office in 2003. During his career, King also served in Internal Affairs, Office of Professional Responsibility and Security Operations and as Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Charlotte Field Division, Columbia Office.

In Houston, King said he also plans to “partner with the firearms and explosives dealers in South Texas as [ATF] conducts [its] mission to regulate the industry.”