Frederick Urban, Firearms and Explosives Possession, New Mexico 2024

A 76-year-old man from Chaparral, New Mexico, has been charged with illegally possessing firearms and explosives in Las Cruces.

According to a complaint filed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Frederick Urban appeared before a federal judge on August 12, 2024, and is currently being held in custody pending a detention hearing.

On August 8, 2024, the ATF received a tip from a concerned citizen who reported that Urban, a previously convicted felon, was in possession of firearms. Following an investigation, ATF agents confirmed the presence of numerous firearms at Urban's residence.

On August 10, 2024, ATF agents, assisted by the New Mexico State Police and El Paso Police Department, executed a federal search warrant at Urban's residence. The search resulted in the recovery of numerous firearms, approximately 100,000 rounds of ammunition, large capacity magazines, and gunpowder.

Additionally, triacetone triperoxide, an extremely volatile explosive, homemade detonators, blasting caps, and gunpowder, and other components of homemade bombs were found.

Urban faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the current charges.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Brendan Iber, Special Agent in Charge of the Phoenix Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, made the announcement today.

The Las Cruces Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case with assistance from the New Mexico State Police, El Paso Police Department, and FBI's El Paso Field Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Ry Ellison and Mark Saltman are prosecuting the case.

Anyone with information regarding illegal firearms or explosives can submit an anonymous tip to the ATF by texting the code ATFPHO to 63975 and then following the link to create a report or by calling (602) 776-5400.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nm/pr/us-attorneys-office-and-atf-charge-convicted-felon-illegal-firearms-and-explosives