Representatives of at least two federal agencies have executed a search warrant at Thor Global Defense Group offices in Crawford County.
"I can confirm Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the criminal investigative division for ICE [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement], was at the location yesterday," immigration's Southern Regional District spokesman Bryan D. Cox said in an email Thursday.
Cox referred further questions to the U.S. attorney's office for Arkansas' Western District because it is an ongoing investigation. Charlie Robbins, spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office in Fort Smith, said the U.S. attorney had no comment on the raid and would not confirm or deny an investigation of the business is being conducted.
Crawford County Sheriff Ron Brown said Thursday that his office was contacted to keep the public and media off Thor Global property at 1204 Knesek Lane on Wednesday while Homeland Security and U.S. Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives agents executed a document search warrant.
His office did not participate in the search, Brown said.
Kyle Johns, head of media for Thor Global, also would not comment Thursday on the federal agencies' visit.
Thor Global Defense Group is a global distributor that specializes in law enforcement and military weaponry, according to its website. It manufactures and sells a variety of guns domestically and internationally, sells ammunition and accessories, and provides security consulting and other services.
Company President and CEO Larry Knesek opened the company, located between Van Buren and Kibler, 16 years ago, the website said.
State Desk on 05/04/2018