I Was A New York ATF Agent For 20 Years

Eric Immesberger spent over 20 years as a New York ATF agent, working undercover, taking down violent criminals, dismantling gun-trafficking networks, and operating inside some of the most dangerous environments in the country. In this episode, Eric shares the real stories behind his career—from his early years as a Brooklyn detective to high-risk federal operations, major crime investigations, and the intense pressure of hunting armed offenders in New York. He opens up about the violence he witnessed, the criminals he pursued, the psychological toll of undercover work, and the personal sacrifices required to do the job. This interview dives deep into the realities of federal law enforcement: firearms trafficking, gang cases, task-force operations, trauma, mental health, and life after retirement. If you’re interested in true crime, federal agents, New York law enforcement, or raw stories of danger, survival, and justice, this is one of the most revealing conversations you’ll hear. #ATFAgent #FederalAgent #LawEnforcementStories #CrimeInterview #UndercoverOperations #TrueCrimePodcast #JusticeSystem #lockedinpodcast Thanks to AURA FRAMES, BLUECHEW & PRIZEPICKS for sponsoring this episode: Aura Frames: Exclusive $35 off Carver Mat at https://on.auraframes.com/LOCKEDIN. Promo Code LOCKEDIN BlueChew: Get 10% off your first month of BlueChew Gold with code LOCKEDIN. Visit https://bluechew.com/ for more details and important safety information Prizepicks: Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/IA... and use code IANBICK and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! Connect with Eric Immesberger: Website: https://www.ericimmesberger.com/ Support his wood work business:   / sendit_woodworking   Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?h... https://ianbick.com/ Shop Locked In Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop Timestamps: 00:00 – The Mindset of Cooperation: ATF, First Impressions & Federal Reality 03:30 – From the Ground Up: Early Career & Entering Law Enforcement 10:00 – Growing Up Hard: Tough Childhood, Discipline & Survival Lessons 15:00 – Why I Became a Cop: Influences, Motivation & Education 22:00 – Becoming a Detective: College to the Brooklyn DA’s Office 27:00 – Federal Guidelines & Cooperation: The Decisions That Change Lives 36:00 – Confidential Informants: The Gray Area Between Justice & Survival 45:00 – Inside Federal Prison: Chaos, Power & Unspoken Rules 01:01:00 – Undercover Operations & Wild Prison Stories 01:14:00 – Breaking Into the ATF: Obsession, Rejection & Relentless Drive 01:22:00 – Explosive Federal Case: The “House of Gay” Home Invasion 01:38:00 – Entrapment vs. Real Criminals: How ATF Builds Cases 01:47:00 – Gunfights, Chases & Leadership Under Fire 02:08:00 – The Violent World of Federal Law Enforcement: Mental Toll & Trauma 02:24:00 – Walking Away: Retirement, Burnout & The True Cost of the Job 02:34:00 – Final Reflections: Street Lessons, Storytelling & Life Advice