ATF agent robbed at gunpoint during drug investigation

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Updated: February 25, 2012 8:10AM

A bandit put a gun to the head of a federal agent last week during a drug investigation on the West Side, authorities say.

Robert Jefferson and Michael Parrish are charged with robbery in the Thursday rip-off of an undercover agent for the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. During the holdup, the agent fired a shot at Parrish but missed, officials said.

At 11:38 a.m. Thursday, the agent arrived in the 900 block of South Independence in the Lawndale neighborhood for a pre-arranged purchase of 25 grams of heroin from Jefferson, according to an ATF affidavit.

Jefferson told the agent he was only able to obtain 5 grams of heroin and was waiting for the rest, according to the affidavit.

As they sat in the agent’s car, Jefferson allegedly sent a text message to Parrish saying, “im in here wit him.”

At 12:43 p.m., Parrish allegedly sneaked up to the agent’s car from the rear, walked to the driver’s door and pointed a .38-caliber revolver at the agent’s head.

Parrish was recorded saying, “You move, I’m going to pop the s--- out of you. Come on with the money,” according to the affidavit.

The agent pulled $2,500 from his pocket and tossed the money out of the window, the affidavit said. The agent fired a shot at Parrish but missed, officials said.

Parrish allegedly picked up the money and ran. Surveillance agents chased down Parrish, recovering the money and the gun, the affidavit said.

Parrish allegedly admitted his role in the robbery. He said Jefferson had hidden the gun for him in a nearby alley before the robbery, according to the affidavit.

The agent wasn’t identified in the complaint.