Minn. U.S. attorney to lead ATF

Published: Aug. 30, 2011 at 3:26 PM

WASHINGTON, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- The U.S. attorney for Minnesota was named Tuesday as acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Justice Department said.

B. Todd Jones replaces embattled Acting Director Kenneth Melson, who was reassigned a senior adviser on forensic science in the Office of Legal Policy, the department said in a release.

Melson came under fire for Operation Fast and Furious, which unintentionally allowed U.S. guns to be obtained by Mexican gun cartels. The undercover plan to track guns to bring down smuggling networks became controversial when many of the guns disappeared and one was used to kill a U.S. Border Patrol agent.

"As a seasoned prosecutor and former military judge advocate, U.S. Attorney Jones is a demonstrated leader who brings a wealth of experience to this position," Attorney General Eric Holder said. "I have great confidence that he will be a strong and steady influence guiding ATF in fulfilling its mission of combating violent crime by enforcing federal criminal laws and regulations in the firearms and explosives industries."

Jones remains a U.S. attorney as he takes over the ATF leadership role, the department said.

Source: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2011/08/30/Minn-US-attorney-to-lead-ATF/UPI-24371314723767/

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