ATF Agents Raid Home of FPSRussia’s Kyle Myers
OutdoorHub Reporters 04.01.13
Popular YouTube personality and firearm enthusiast Kyle Myers–perhaps better known in-character as Dmitri Potapoff on his FPSRussia channel–got an unpleasant visit by federal agents late last week. Nearly 40 law enforcement officers consisting of local deputies, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alochol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) flooded Myers’ home and office along his father’s home in Georgia.
According to the Athens Banner-Herald, the officers were looking for explosives that they believe were being used in violation of federal law. The use and manufacturing of explosives for sale or business requires a federal license, says ATF spokesman Richard Coes.
Myers uses a variety of explosives in his episodic YouTube channel, which often showcases a firearm demonstration and Myers’ unique tongue-in-cheek humor. As of March 2013, the channel had garnered over 500 million video views and is reportedly the tenth-highest ranked on YouTube based on number of subscribers. The ATF believes that the use of the explosives for commercial purposes constitutes a violation and information obtained during the search will be handed over to the U.S. Attorney’s office.
The search comes nearly three months after the death of Keith Ratliff, one of Myers’ business associates. Ratliff was discovered dead in Carnesville, Georgia as a result of a gunshot wound to the head. He was previously a manager and weapons provider to the show. While Ratliff’s death is under an ongoing investigation, it has not been confirmed if the search is linked to that case.
No arrests were made and no items are reported to have been confiscated from either from Myers’ or his father’s house.
You can see a recent video from FPSRussia below:
httpv://youtu.be/8xDJtZ2VK6k
