A former Sanger police officer has been indicted on charges related to illegal firearms dealing and obstruction. Daniel Battenfield, 40, of Visalia, was charged by a federal grand jury with unlawfully dealing firearms without a license and making false statements to a federal agent. The charges also include lying on federal firearms documentation, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office release.
Court documents show that Battenfield has been involved in purchasing and reselling hundreds of firearms since at least 2016. Using his position in law enforcement, Battenfield was able to acquire firearms at lower prices and sell them for profit. He falsified firearm documentation and made false statements to federal agents when questioned about his dealings.
Battenfield was placed on leave by the Sanger Police Department in July 2024 after the allegations surfaced. The investigation was led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, in collaboration with the Sanger Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Veneman-Hughes is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Battenfield faces a maximum of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for unlawful firearms dealing or making false statements. The charge of making false statements during the purchase of firearms could result in up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The final sentence will depend on the court's discretion, considering statutory factors and Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Battenfield is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement and communities. PSN, enhanced by the U.S. Department of Justice in May 2021, focuses on building trust, supporting violence prevention organizations, and measuring the outcomes of focused enforcement efforts.
