Indicted Former Federal Agent Released On Bond

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK -- A former agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is on his way home to Lubbock, Texas.

Brandon McFadden was indicted earlier this month by a federal grand jury for the Northern District of Oklahoma on four counts including conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana; possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute; possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking offense, and money laundering.

A federal judge released Brandon McFadden on $50,000 bond Thursday afternoon.  McFadden has been in the Creek County jail since last Friday when he drove from Texas to Tulsa to turn himself in. 

4/9/2010 Related story: Former ATF Agent Indicted For Drug Crimes, Corruption

According to the indictment, McFadden was employed as an ATF agent from July, 2002, through September, 2009.

McFadden's wife testified Thursday that their two children want their dad to come home. She says her husband has a lot of support in Texas and an investment business he can run from home.

Federal prosecutors had argued McFadden should not be released. He's accused of stealing money and drugs from dope dealers, getting dope dealers to sell drugs for him, planting evidence and lying in court.

"Brandon's a good man," said Neal Kirkpatrick, defense attorney for Brandon McFadden. "He's a family man, has a business at home and the conditions of his release will allow him to conduct that business, but, most importantly, he'll be at home with his children.

"He's  missed them and they've missed him too."

The judge had to answer two questions in deciding whether to release McFaddeon:  would he return for his court dates and did he present a danger to society.

The judge felt like the evidence showed McFadden would return and was not a danger.

McFadden must wear a  monitoring bracelet, can't leave his house except for court and doctor's visits, must keep in contact with the probation office in Lubbock, surrender his passport, give up his gun and stay employed.