ATF involved in investigation of White Co. gun dealer

CLEVELAND - Cleveland Police, along with federal Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) agents, served a search warrant on a Cleveland business last Friday.

Police Chief John Foster said Monday his office assisted the ATF agents in following up on allegations of possible illegal firearms at Smokey Mountain Traders.

Foster said agents were looking at federal records and checking the inventory at the store. After spending almost 12 hours at the business, Foster said the federal agents took records from the store with them. He said store owner Carl Dann voluntarily gave up his federal firearms license.

Dann will be allowed to keep the firearms in the store, but they will become his personal property and he will be able to sell the guns, but will not be able to replenish the stock.

Foster said the case is still open and federal agents are expected to return to the store within 30 days.