8-13-2024 4:42pm

Frederick Urban of Chaparral New Mexico Held and Charged For Federal Weapons Violations

Chris Edwards Editor

Chaparral resident and felon arrested after raid on property and a reported heavy law enforcement presence Saturday August 10th, 2024 on the 300 block of Prescott Anthony Drive in Chaparral, New Mexico. Over 100,000 rounds of ammunition found during raid.

Several federal, state, and local agencies were at the scene since early Saturday morning according to those neighbors as reported Saturday and supported by a Federal Complaint Filing.

A spokesman with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) said the situation was an active investigation but was unable to provide any further details.

Agents from the Las Cruces Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms supported by the New Mexico State Police and El Paso Police Department, executed a federal search warrant at Urban’s home on Saturday.

Frederick Urban, 76, appeared before a federal judge on August 12, 2024, and will remain in custody pending a detention hearing, which has not been scheduled.

According to the criminal complaint, on August 8, 2024, the ATF received a tip from a concerned citizen who provided evidence indicating that Urban, a previously convicted felon, was in possession of firearms. Following an investigation, which included reviewing photographs and videos provided by the concerned citizen, ATF agents confirmed the presence of numerous firearms at Urban's residence.

On August 10, 2024, ATF agents, supported 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 gun powder, and other components of homemade bombs were found.

If convicted of the current charges, Urban faces 15 years in prison.

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.