"One hundred percent us."
By Mike Vanderboegh & David Codrea
Official ATF documents as well as sources in Arizona and Washington D.C. confirm that in at least two instances in 2010, an agent of the United States government purchased Kalashnikov-pattern semi-automatic pistols from licensed federal firearms dealers with taxpayer money and delivered those weapons directly into the hands of cartel smugglers.
In a letter dated June 1, 2010, then Phoenix ATF Group VII supervisor David Voth instructed a Federal Firearms Licensee in Arizona as follows:
Dear Sir,
Per Section 925(a)(1) of the Gun Control Act (GCA) exempts law enforcement agencies from the transportation, shipment, receipt, or importation controls of the GCA when firearms are to be used for the official business of the agency.
Please accept this letter in lieu of completing an ATF Form 4473 for the purchase of four (4) CAI, Model Draco, 7.62x39 mm pistols, by Special Agent John Dodson. These aforementioned pistols will be used by Special Agent Dodson in furtherance of the performance of his official duties. In addition, Special Agent Dodson has not been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. If you have any questions, you may contact me at telephone number 602-605-6501.
Sincerely,
(Signature)
David Voth
ATF Group Supervisor
Phoenix Group VII
In the lower left-hand margin of the one-page letter is the hand-written notation:
"Picked guns
up 6/10/10
Paid Cash"
"Paid Cash" is underlined.
The existence of this letter provided to these reporters by a previously reliable source familiar with the Fast and Furious investigation, coupled with interviews of other sources across the country which put it into context, provides startling proof that the Federal government did not merely "lose track" of weapons purchased by "straw buyers" under surveillance by the ATF and destined for the Mexican drug cartels. In an undercover operation ordered by Fast and Furious supervisor David Voth, the U.S. government purchased firearms with taxpayer money from licensed firearms dealers, instructed them to conduct the sales "off the books," and used an ATF agent, John Dodson, to deliver them directly to people that Dodson believed were conducting them across the border.
According one source close to the Issa committee and knowledgeable of its workings, this revelation "puts a stake in the heart of the 'botched sting operation' lie." He continued, "There never was any 'sting,' there was only a deliberate effort to provide weapons to the DTO's (Drug Trafficking Organizations)." He added, "this was one hundred percent us -- our money, our guy, our (gun)walking."
This source also provided context and explanation of how the letter came to exist in the first place.
(It should be noted that although we would never reveal our sources for any story, it is important in this case for the readers to understand where we did NOT get it. Neither John Dodson nor his lawyer provided us this letter. Nor did they pass it through to us via a third party, as the DOJ has been known to do lately.)
"Dodson was given this undercover assignment by Voth," said the source, "to purchase weapons directly and provide them to the smugglers. He was operating under cover, pretending to be a 'straw buyer.'" He continued, "I think Dodson demanded the letter from Voth to cover both himself and the FFL (Federal Firearm Licensee). He didn't want to be hung out to dry" by Voth.
A source also said that the undercover assignment was an effort by Voth to "dirty him (Dodson) up," pointing out that by the time of the undercover assignment that Dodson's vocal opposition to "letting guns walk" was well known to his superiors in the Phoenix ATF office.
Sources also describe a second letter from Voth to another FFL authorizing Dodson to purchase two more Draco pistols. One source stated flatly: "Issa and Grassley have copies of both letters, and have had for a long time."
Subsequent to this undercover weapons buying and transfer to cartel smugglers by Dodson, say the sources, "Dodson just about came apart all over them (his supervisors)." In a "screaming match" that was heard throughout the Phoenix office by many employees, Dodson yelled at Voth and Assistant Special Agent in Charge George Gillett, "Why not just go direct and empty out the (ATF) arms room?" (to the cartels), or words to that effect.
After this confrontation, say the sources, ATF managers transferred Dodson to a post as "liaison to the intel guys at FBI" in the Phoenix office. For clarification, it is worth noting that the Brian Terry murder investigation was at this time being carried out by the criminal investigations side of the FBI out of the Tuscon office, not Phoenix.
Sources describe continuing harassment of Dodson as his access to the Phoenix office building was restricted. "They removed him from the (Fast and Furious) case as politically unreliable," said another source, adding, "And of course after the Terry murder all the shots were being called by D.C."
After the death of Brian Terry, the "rumor" post on the ATF agent's website, CleanUpATF.org and the initial coverage by these reporters in the early weeks of January, 2011, "things got ugly" for Dodson. Blamed by his immediate supervisors as well as many of his fellow agents in the Phoenix office for "treason" as one source described it, Dodson's existence at the Phoenix office was described as "precarious" by one D.C. source. The threats to his life were perceived to be so great that "solitary range days" were arranged by a sympathetic supervisor so Dodson could practice marksmanship in safety. "He (the supervisor) didn't want him (Dodson) to eat one in the back" in a range "accident," said the source.
Dodson has not given any more interviews of late. "Not since the hearings as far as I know," said one source, and it is not because he hasn't been asked.
"They're (the Justice Department) coming at him hard, looking for anything they can use against him," said another. "Can you blame him for keeping his head down?"
Although our sources firmly agree that Senator Grassley and Congressman Issa have both of the Voth/Dodson letters, we are forwarding copies of the June 1, 2010 letter to staffers of both men, asking for comment on this story and an explanation as to why they have not previously released the letters.
Given the fact that it is a weekend, these reporters do not expect any reaction until later on Monday morning.
41 comments:
From where I am sitting, this makes me question just how "righteous" ALL OF THEM - *ESPECIALLY* THE SUPPOSED "GOOD-GUYS" can possibly be!
Why have they kept this buried until now?!
Hey ISSA: ARE YOU REALLY PART OF THE COVER-UP TOO?!
You still need the trace data on these specific weapons.
Unless these specific weapons are recovered and traced from a crime scene or arrest in Mexico, all you have is a juicy story and nothing prosecutable.
The trace data is THE PROOF.
I want the legal proof that brings a conviction and a public hanging on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Glad you made it home finally. Addition to the ongoing saga is needed... Will pass on as well. It continues to need spreading around.
Taz, FL
This latest info convinces me more than ever it it time for the ATF to be tossed into the ash bin of history along with the FBI and the Department of Injustice.
As Lord Acton stated: "Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely."
...and what the hell is with Issa and Grassley not releasing this info? What are they up to?
KPN3%
Torpedo Los! Indeed!
The "second comming" of a formerly deleted comment.
"This is gonna get ugly!"
Guess it's now obvious why Dodson was willing to speak out.
Sad part is....most idiot Amerikans won't see this as a big deal.
At first I was upset at Dodson. Then when I read about him coming apart at the supv. I was mollified.
Issa and Grassley have had these letters all the time and not a peep out of either of them? I can only see two ways that would have happened. Either the two congressmen are part of the cover up (limited hangout sorta thing?) or one - OR MORE - staffers in BOTH offices are working with/for DOJ. I'm leaning towards the latter but the former is still viable since we all know what paragons of integrity, virtue and honor virtually all politicians are.
Artie Johnson had a great line that would seem to apply here. "Very interesting - BUT STUPID!"
That's the problem, Davis. This method makes sure that their is no 4473 to trace them against.
I have ben saying shame on Issa and especially John Boehner all along. From the very start I said that I wanted to believe in them but that the Issa trip to Syria with "Gotta pass it to see what is in in it" Pelosi gave me serious pause.
I have said it looks to me like Issa is slow playing this and opined that this is being done to afford the GOP a campaign issue. I have chided the action to put electioneering ahead of justice.
Issa had better offer a REAL GOOD explanation for having this information and not releasing it, and he had better hope he didn't have them prior to the last hearing where Dodson was present. If he had them prior to that, Issa looks more like a participant in the cover up than an investigator of it.
I wonder if Dave will dispense with the "botched" foolish now?
I now find myself questioning my gut check that the GOP was keeping this at a low boil for campaign purposes. It is starting to look more like Issa and other key players in Congress really did know just exactly what was going on and just stood idle and watched it happen. Maybe even went so far as to go along with it willingly.
Fox and henhouse comes to mind.
I know this much, with this being true, and more to come for sure, it sure looks like Issa just joined the ranks of those who, well, have some serious "'Splainin'" to do.
As I recognized from the very start, The GunWalker Scandal is going to rock Washington to its very core. This "leak" is the start of a political earthquake not witnessed in this country ever before. Np. Doubt. About. It.
You told me Sat. that you had a bomb to drop today. You weren't kidding. Keep it up.
And since we KNOW, that the operation couldn't possibly have worked, as stated and executed and therefore could not have been, the actual motivation for the plan, what were the motives?
To implement additional unconstitutional gun control and provide an additional platform for national implementation in the future. As well as any additional measures which could be enacted or implemented. When caught, they immediately implemented the measures that the plan supported.
They aren't worried about the constitution or the courts.
The motive was subversion of the constitution and bill of rights, on many levels. For their purposes and reasons, none of which support the intended purposes of those documents and could only weaken and destroy them.
The word is TREASON.
This president and his supporters are TRAITORS. They know that they are committing TREASON and know, that no one in the major media will say the word.
TREASON. Against all of the citizens of the United States of America.
An agile legal mind, or one not so agile at that, might construct that the VIOLENT enforcement of any said laws, and or provisions was the "...MAKING OF WAR..." against those people.
Such an opinion would be a correct interpretation, an undeniable chronology of actions, causes and effects which are not mitigated by the "oops" defense nor any other "need" because they have followed a plan which can only be explained by the motivation of power, control and centralization. The exact preventive, reason the documents were written.
TREASON.
There is no other word that is not a lie or evasion.
When will we see this on "Border Wars"?
This should drive the final nail in weasel Bill Newell's narrow, sea-lawyer BS definition of what gunwalking is. What's your cover now Bill, you arrogant turd!?
There is no botched sting. All went according to plan.
Only the cover-up has been botched.
I do love that there was no "straw buyer" in at least one documented case. I wonder if the Agent took the weapons all the way into Mexico, violating ITAR along with endless US & Mexican laws, and handed them directly to Cartel operatives? Did he get a bundle of cocaine or a bag of US $100's as a tip for his efforts? This is an underling operating on orders/memo/policy that goes all the way to the POTUS via AG Holder. Betcha the Agent resisted/protested a little ("Hey, uh, this isn't what we learned in ATF Agent school about stopping guns...) and then went with the program. Jobs don't grow on trees in 2010.
cheers.
It is disregard for the rule of law, the spirit of the rule of law, the very idea of the rule of law, on a level that transcends every conceivable idea and principle America as a nation and a people represent. The truly ugly aspect of these crimes by the ruling people, (and lets not beat around the bush about this, all involved belong to a ruling class who have in reality elevated themselves far and away above any law and system to uphold it, but they themselves completely occupy and operate this very system to their convenience and pleasure at all others expense and misery), the ugly truth is, they who are hired into our system of Constitutional government have become rouge operatives of an agenda that's very purpose is to undermine and destroy this here beautiful system of Republican form of government where the sovereign power rest in the hands of we the people.
These internal traitors, their tyrants on high passing down marching orders managing this carpet bombing of our rule of law, an act of war on the people from the inside out, have gone over to the side of evil in no doubt.
One can argue a million reasons of the why's and who's and what's, but the stark elegant simple truth in all this is the entire system is no so corrupt and waylaid by some very mean sick individuals who are hell bent on bringing this country, My country, and me and you along with it, to our knees.
To our knees I say!
It is a conscious concerted act of tyranny, this stripping us of our every means that exist in our great society, the very idea of our way of life, the principles of self determination, the Liberty to provide for ones self and to defend and to protect those prosperity's, to defend ourselves in every way moral and good our founders fought and died for so We today could live in Liberty!
Who do these people believe themselves to be?
Gods?
Obama: Treason
The Executive: Treason
The Judicial: Treason
The Regulatory
Congress:Treason
DOJ: Treason
BATF: Treason
FBI: Treason
DHS: Treason
Law Enforcement: Treason
Traitors All: = Tyranny
"That's the problem, Davis. This method makes sure that their is no 4473 to trace them against."
Looks like its time to subpena the records of the FFL holder. While there might not be a Form 4473, there will definitely be something in his records removing those specific firearms from his inventory.
Issa has quoted more than once in interviews, he want a special prosecutor. But, he wants all the facts first, so he can be sure the prosecutor is finding and telling the whole story.
He has a hearing in October, and was upset the tapes had been release, "because it contaminates the witness's thoughts." Sound like he was already putting names on the list for the next hearing, and having these tapes, we now know two of the people that were to be called.
His method, as he states over and over, is to get all the evidence, then turn it over to a special prosecutor, meaning, he doesn't want it compromised by the prosecutor. He can call his hand if inaccurate information is presented.
I'm beginning to think that these type of revelations are more akin to wooden stakes thru the heart than coffin nails.
While I tend to agree that Issa/Grassley are appearing to be dragging this out (possibly for political gain) - we must bear in mind that they will ONLY get one chance to get it right.
With the save barry and his band mentality of both the current CONgress and the media, if they do not get it right the one time they will be allowed to bring this investigation to its proper conclusion, there will be no second chance. Then I am afraid that there will not be a big enough wooden stake in existence to slay this blood sucking (and blood soaked) regime.
As I have said before - all CONgress critters need take a stance one way or the other on F&F - for the rule of law and the survival of this nation or for political survival/pandering.
A possible explanation about why Issa and Grassley did not bring this out: incompetence or overwork by staff. There may simply so much material coming out that they can't keep on top of it.
1. How do we know for a fact that Issa has these letters?
2. If the operation were in-house ATF, how did the guns turn up in the hands of criminals on the east coast?
So what are the odds Obama will do something desperate to derail this scandal?
Whoa! Check out FOX NEWS.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/09/26/us-government-bought-and-sold-weapons-during-fast-and-furious-documents-show/
I like watching border wars on NatGeo. I noticed that Discovery has a show called Texas Drug wars that focus on the texas mexico border in the same manner. I would also like to see what happens if border wars does a show on this
Headline on Drudge. Although they forgot who you are.
According to a story posted Sunday on a website dedicated to covering Fast and Furious
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/09/26/us-government-bought-and-sold-weapons-during-fast-and-furious-documents-show/#ixzz1Z5H6HVuq
Congrats on the Drudge Headline - even if it is by proxy.
(But Fox should have linked to you guys sites.)
Seems maybe even Matt D has finally figured out that there is no "containing" or "mitigating" this Scandal.
Soon, media outlets are going to experience the shame they are due over hushing this Scandal. The same is true about every Republican that has stood down and not said a word.
I submit that being called on not saying anything in the debates, along with this story, has seen an end to that. No more can it be avoided.
I seriously cannot wait for the next shoe to drop. Now that media can hammer Issa, that will be the focus and widespread reporting is afoot on that note me thinks. The Dam Is Broken.......
Even without completion of a 4473 form, there should still be a notation with the serial numbers in the transfer book of the FFL, otherwise the disposition of those firearms would be unknown and could cause revocation of the FFL for not accounting for all weapons received.
Or am I missing something?
I see also via Sharyl Attkisson that former NSA O'Reilly is in Iraq and unavailable.
And being reeeeeeeeal careful, or ought to be.
A violation of our civil rights. A class action suite should be brought. Just like the Pigford settlement, only to all gun owners.
SciFiJim,
You bet there will be log entries. The FFL had to account for them when he got them, and he has to account for how they are no longer in his inventory.
****GRIN****
Unless they make the FFL destroy his logs, they can't make the pistols just "disappear." There are records from the importer, and any intermediaries that handled the weapons between the importer and FFL.
Yes, the FFL NEEDS to be subpoenaed to produce the logs of all his inventory from 2008 to present and the Mexican government should be asked to allow a search of all seized weapons to find these specific ones.
A whole bunch of folks need to hang for murder, conspiracy to traffic drugs, aiding and abetting murder, TREASON, obstruction of justice, etc.
Don't be so hard on Issa and Grassley. They have to be careful not to tip their hand. It is much easier to get to the bottom line story when the people that you are questioning don't know that you already know most of the answer. This leak will roil the waters, certainly. You can be certain that a lot of people at DOJ, FBI, and BATFE are speding serious time right now creating a cover story. It's not clear to me how that helps Issa and Grassley. It is certainly juicy stuff for us in the peanut gallery, but whether or not this is a timely revelation that moves the investigation towards the truth in the fastest manner possible isn't clear to me.
GO READ the stories from Sept 21, 2011, in which Bill Newell, former SAC of Phoenix is trying to clarify his statements to Congress. Bet he wasn't expecting this story to break. This story confirms he lied to Congress. He was Voth's boss, and Gilletts, and whistleblower Dodson's. He is the man who made sure Dodson was transferred as he wasn't "politically correct" to be trusted to do the bidding of the WH, DOJ, and ATF management.
Just a general agreement with those who say take it easy on Issa.
In the presence of a stonewall, the best offense involves allowing people to hang themselves by contradicting material already (but secretly) in the hands of the questioner.
I haven't heard anything about the shooting of the National Guard in Nevada several weeks ago. It was done by a Mexican here on a passport. Was this one of the Fast and Furious weapons?
I apologize in advance for how incoherent this will likely be. I just got off of a long night shift, and haven't taken my meds yet.
I just finished a very good article at WRSA: Barnhardt: There’s No Way In Hell We’re Making It To November, 2012.
That just brought into sharp focus (as sharp as it's going to get for this old brain) how close financial collapse really is.
Now this article makes me realize that all of these various gun walker episodes are much more serious than I originally understood. I thought it was to bring about more gun control. Now I believe it is to finalize gun control. The fast approaching financial collapse is driving it.
There won't be time for special prosecutors to bring anyone to justice. It now feels the way it always does just before battle.
Deja vu all over again.
Good luck all. Hope you all prepped better than I did.
III
Sorry morons but you frighten none. Its really easy to incite a riot while hiding behind a computer! You see this right to bear arms is for all citizens. So if you break one of my windows be careful not trip the wire on my clamor mine and get blown up.
Agh, the media matters morons are showing up now.
I'll worry about you having a claymore when you can spell it and describe how it actually works.
You continue to have to have the trace files on these specific guns.
Until these specific weapons are usually retrieved along with traced from the criminal offenses scene or charge inside South america, all you've got is really a succulent tale and absolutely nothing prosecutable.
Do you have any legal proof for this news?
from down here in west Texas close to the Texmex border -
My conspiracy theory - from CL Aery -
The invasion of the mid east countries was only a testing ground to see how the countries defended themselves and what would the world do - our current president soetoro, will not listen to his advisers and proceeded on his own to find out about the above - reason??? - at the present time in mexico, there is a standing army supplied with weapons and ammunition waiting for osamabama to give the word to move - how did i determine that???? - first, fast and furious fed the cartels the weapons and ammunition - second, who would in their right mind as a parent let their 13 year old daughter go on spring break to a cartel held city in mexico on their own, secret service never had the fire power or the security forces to protect her, and she came home unharmed and not a hostage - never was there any mention of the cartels and the concern about their violence - to survive in that city with out the complete Marine Corps in attendance, there would have to be some kind of agreement between the white house and the cartels - they don’t roll over just because the president lets his daughter and her friends go there - if i am wrong, i am wrong - but some where there is a standing southern army on the southern borders of America - they await the invasion order
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