Oklahoma State Rep Calls for Arrest of ATF Agents
Oklahoma state Rep. Justin Humphrey (R-Lane) has taken a bold step by filing a probable cause affidavit with the Oklahoma Attorney General, demanding the arrest and prosecution of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) agents.
Humphrey’s focus is on the agents who raided the home of Russell Fincher, a federal firearms license (FFL) holder in Tuskahoma, Oklahoma, on June 16. Working with the Pushmataha County Sheriff’s office, he has requested an investigation into the ATF agents for charges including extortion, terroristic threats, and misuse of their authority.
“When you abuse your law enforcement position, I think you ought to be arrested,” Humphrey told The Epoch Times.
Firearms dealer Russell Fincher hopes that the state of Oklahoma or a federal agency like the FBI will thoroughly investigate the events that took place at his home.
“I just want them to really investigate it,” Fincher said. “I feel like there’s no accountability for the ATF.”
An ATF spokesman declined to comment on Fincher’s case, but emphasized that reports have inaccurately portrayed the agency’s administrative procedures.
Ashely Stephens, a resident agent in charge and public information officer for the ATF’s Tulsa field office, stated that the allegations of confiscating guns without reason or offering to sell them back for a fraction of their value are false.
“That is a mischaracterization of what happened,” Stephens clarified.
Handcuffed in Front of Son
Humphrey, a former probation officer with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, believes that the ATF agents abused their power to intimidate and coerce Fincher. He accuses them of handcuffing Fincher in front of his 13-year-old son and searching his property without clearly stating the alleged crime.
“I’ve looked up all the statutes that I believe were violated,” Humphrey stated.
Russell Fincher stands in front of one of his gun safes emptied by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives during a June 16, 2023 raid on his home in Tuskahoma, Okla., in this Sept. 1, 2023 photo. (Michael Clements/The Epoch Times)
In a previous interview with The Epoch Times, Fincher expressed his shock at the raid. He expected a routine visit from the ATF, but instead witnessed armed agents descending upon his property.
“I didn’t know what to think,” Fincher recalled. He was handcuffed and detained while the agents questioned him about a legally traded gun that had resurfaced at a crime scene years later.
ATF agents arrive on Russel Fincher’s property in Tuskahoma, Okla., on June 16, 2023. (Courtesy Russell Fincher)
“They said, ‘You sold this gun to a criminal.’ I asked them, ‘Do you have a criminal telling you that Russell Fincher sold me a gun?'” Fincher recounted.
Stephens clarified that ATF agents only seize guns authorized by the court and that the owner is provided with forms to contest the seizure and petition for the return of the property.
In the aftermath of the raid, Fincher received a list of the confiscated firearms with a value of $10 assigned to each gun. While not addressing Fincher’s case specifically, Stephens denied the claim that the ATF offers to purchase seized guns.
“That sounds like nothing I’ve ever heard of in 20 years with the ATF,” Stephens stated.
ATF agents inventory firearms they confiscated from Russell Fincher of Tuskahoma, Okla., on June 16, 2023. (Courtesy of Russell Fincher)
Taking Issue With ATF
Fincher provided documents outlining the procedure for petitioning the return of seized property. However, he disputes Stephens’s assertion and claims that his attorney informed him that agreeing to forfeit the guns would result in a check for each one.
Stephens stated that the ATF will comment on the case when possible but is currently prohibited from discussing ongoing investigations.
“We’re just not allowed to talk about ongoing investigations,” he explained.
What charges does State Rep. Justin Humphrey believe should be filed against the ATF agents, and why?
Ansferred firearm that had been in his possession.
The incident has garnered significant attention, with many questioning the actions and authority of the ATF agents involved. State Rep. Justin Humphrey has taken a strong stance on the matter, filing a probable cause affidavit with the Oklahoma Attorney General, demanding the arrest and prosecution of the ATF agents.
Humphrey’s focus is specifically on the agents who raided the home of Russell Fincher, a federal firearms license (FFL) holder in Tuskahoma, Oklahoma. Working with the Pushmataha County Sheriff’s office, Humphrey has requested an investigation into the ATF agents for charges including extortion, terroristic threats, and misuse of their authority.
“When you abuse your law enforcement position, I think you ought to be arrested,” Humphrey stated in an interview with The Epoch Times. He firmly believes that the ATF agents abused their power to intimidate and coerce Fincher, pointing to allegations of handcuffing Fincher in front of his 13-year-old son and searching his property without clearly stating the alleged crime.
Humphrey, a former probation officer with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, is well-versed in the law and has thoroughly examined the statutes that he believes were violated in this case. He is committed to ensuring that accountability and justice are served.
On the other hand, Russell Fincher, the firearms dealer at the center of this controversy, hopes that either the state of Oklahoma or a federal agency like the FBI will thoroughly investigate the events that took place. He expressed his desire for a comprehensive investigation and emphasized the need for accountability within the ATF.
However, an ATF spokesman declined to comment on Fincher’s case, implying that reports had inaccurately portrayed the administrative procedures of the agency. Ashley Stephens, a resident agent in charge and public information officer for the ATF’s Tulsa field office, emphasized that the allegations of confiscating guns without reason or offering to sell them back for a fraction of their value are false. She clarified that these claims were a mischaracterization of what actually transpired.
The incident has raised questions about the actions and accountability of law enforcement agencies such as the ATF. It highlights the importance of ensuring that the power and authority granted to law enforcement officers are not abused and that citizens’ rights are protected.
As the case unfolds, it remains to be seen how the Oklahoma Attorney General will respond to Rep. Humphrey’s call for the arrest and prosecution of the ATF agents involved. The outcome of this investigation will undoubtedly have broader implications for law enforcement practices and the protection of citizens’ rights in Oklahoma and beyond.
In conclusion, the demand for the arrest and prosecution of ATF agents involved in the raid on Russell Fincher’s home has sparked a heated debate about law enforcement practices and the accountability of federal agencies. State Rep. Justin Humphrey’s bold step in filing a probable cause affidavit reflects the concerns raised by many citizens who believe in upholding justice and holding law enforcement officers accountable for their actions. It is essential that thorough investigations take place to determine the truth and ensure that justice is served.
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