I would like to introduce a few of the circumstances that led me to the nomination of ATF Special Agent Billy Magalassi as investigator of the year for 2011.

 On September 29, 2011, a fire was reported at the “South Barracks” building at the Historical Fort Washita Site.  The building was constructed in 1842 along the Red River to protect the Chickasaw and Choctaw Indian tribes from the Plains Indians.  Later the fort was occupied by Confederate Troops throughout the Civil War.  After that war, the fort was not re-occupied by the Army.  In 1962, the Oklahoma Historical Society acquired the property and in 1965 it was designated a National Historical Landmark.

The structure was a two stories, native rock and heavy timber construction, it contained approximately 3600 square feet on the first floor.  The second floor extended from the first floor with a walkway for use on the second floor.

There was political pressure for a quick conclusion to this investigation.  The “Fort” was well known locally, and was used by many of the local patrons.  The estimated loss was in excess of one and one half million dollars.

ATF Special Agent Billy Magalassi was the “ATF Agent in Charge” on this investigation, and was very influential in the investigation.   ATF Special Agent Billy Magalassi, using the ATF team of ATF Special Agent Steve Steele and ATF Special Agent Devin Palmer,   Oklahoma State Fire Marshal Agent Supervisor James Simmons and Oklahoma State Fire Marshal Agent Tony Rust, using the Scientific Method, by setting and disproving hypothesis of accidental causes.

By use of the Scientific Method, ATF Special Agent Billy Magalassi, directed the origin and cause investigation by conducting or causing to be conducted, interviews of the persons in charge at Fort Washita, the responding firefighters, deputies, and District Attorney Investigators.

ATF Special Agent Billy Magalassi advised investigative participants in locating the area of origin. He was invaluable to the State of Oklahoma Law Enforcement in the locating of the point of origin.

ATF Special Agent Billy Magalassi was also responsible for the prosecution of the arsonist in this case by testifying in District Court in Antlers, Oklahoma.

The tireless work of ATF Special Agent Billy Magalassi in this case and other cases that he has assisted the Oklahoma State Fire Marshal’s Office, Billy has not only completed any task, but has taken time to show other investigators, firefighters, and any law enforcement personnel what he was doing, but also what to look for in an investigation. Special Agent Billy Magalassi’s report has been used to illustrate to my Oklahoma State Fire Marshal’s Office Agent’s on clarity and concise use of facts to indicate how, what, when, where and who was included in this investigation.  His report was also used in the prosecution of the defendants in this case.

ATF Special Agent Billy Magalassi is not only a good technical investigator, but a good friend to the Oklahoma International Association of Arson Investigators, but a professional fire investigator.

With great pleasure, I wish to submit to you, ATF Special Agent Billy Magalassi for the OKIAAI investigator of the year for 2011.