ST. LOUIS — John V. Kessler was sentenced to 63 months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, on charges involving his sale of illegal firearms on E-Bay and other Internet sites, United States Attorney Catherine L. Hanaway announced today.

“This case sends the message that illegal firearms sales on the Internet, particularly by a convicted felon, will be vigorously prosecuted in this District,” said Hanaway. “Thanks to this investigation, dozens of firearms, including machine guns and firearms silencers, were seized and did not make their way into the wrong hands.”

Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jeff Fulton of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) added, “ATF will vigorously investigate violations of the federal firearms laws, especially those involving the unlawful sale or possession of unregistered fully automatic weapons.”

On February 6, 2006, ATF received a hotline call from an anonymous caller reporting that Kessler was selling ammunition on E-bay, an on-line auction website. ATF Intelligence Operations Specialists confirmed that he was selling ammunition and firearms from his address on Bryan Avenue, St. Louis, 63117, on E-bay and other websites where firearms and ammunition are bought and sold. A subsequent search warrant executed by ATF at Kessler’s residence revealed 24 fully functional firearms, including machine guns and firearm silencers.

Kessler, 53, of the 8500 block of Bryan Avenue, St. Louis, pled guilty last September to one felony count of being a previously convicted felon in possession of firearms and one felony count of possession of fully automatic machine guns. He appeared today for sentencing before United States District Judge Catherine D. Perry.

Due to his previous felony convictions, Kessler is forbidden to possess firearms.

Hanaway commended the work on the case by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Assistant United States Attorney Cristian M. Stevens, who handled the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

For Further Information: Call Public Affairs Officer Jan Diltz, (314) 539-7719

Source: United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri

Contact: Public Affairs Officer Jan Diltz of the United States

Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri, +1-314-539-7719

Web site: http://www.atf.gov/