A federal grand jury has indicted Daniel Battenfield, a former police officer from Sanger, California, on charges related to illegal firearms dealing and obstruction. The indictment includes allegations of unlawfully dealing firearms without a license, making false statements to a federal agent, and falsifying information on a federal firearms form.
Court documents reveal that since at least 2016, Battenfield engaged in purchasing and reselling hundreds of firearms. Utilizing his law enforcement status to buy firearms below market value, he allegedly resold them for profit. On one occasion, he reportedly ordered a firearm directly for a customer while falsely claiming it was for personal use on the required federal form. When questioned by federal agents about these activities, Battenfield is accused of providing false information. His alleged actions led to him being placed on leave by the Sanger Police Department in July 2024.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation with support from the Sanger Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Veneman-Hughes is handling the prosecution.
If convicted on any count of unlawful dealing or making false statements to a government agency, Battenfield could face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine per charge. A conviction for falsifying firearm purchase forms carries a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. However, any sentence would be determined by the court based on statutory factors and Federal Sentencing Guidelines. It's important to note that these charges are allegations; Battenfield is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. In May 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice introduced enhancements to PSN's strategy focused on building community trust, supporting violence prevention efforts by local organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and evaluating outcomes.