Ed Straker
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- Feb 12, 2003
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Anti-gun program may mean more prison time for Macon man
By Sharon E. Crawford
Telegraph Staff Writer
A federal program targeting gun violence could bring more prison time to a Macon man convicted Tuesday on weapons charges.
Ernst W. Kugel, 51, was found guilty in U.S. District Court in Macon on charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and illegal possession of a sawed-off shotgun. He had previously been convicted of possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute.
Kugel was prosecuted under the Department of Justice's Project Safe Neighborhoods program, a federal initiative to reduce gun violence in local neighborhoods.
This is the first time someone in Middle Georgia has been prosecuted locally under this program, U.S. Attorney Max Wood said in a news release Wednesday.
"This case serves as a model for future gun prosecutions," Wood said. "Private citizens provided anonymous tips to Crimestoppers about individuals who are prohibited from possessing firearms. This information was relayed to officers assigned to the PSN Task Force, and within 24 hours, the defendant was arrested.
"Firearms such as sawed-off shotguns are some of the most dangerous weapons criminals can possess because they can be so easily concealed when used to commit crimes."
Kugel now faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison on each charge and a maximum of $250,000 in fines on each count. Kugel is expected to be sentenced next month.
In 2001, federal officials created the PSN program and pledged $558 million to reducing the gun problem across the nation.
Last year, officials in Bibb and Houston counties joined a PSN task force to identify the most effective local laws to use against gun-carrying criminals.
To contact Sharon E. Crawford, call 744-4384 or e-mail [email protected].
http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/news/local/5219534.htm
By Sharon E. Crawford
Telegraph Staff Writer
A federal program targeting gun violence could bring more prison time to a Macon man convicted Tuesday on weapons charges.
Ernst W. Kugel, 51, was found guilty in U.S. District Court in Macon on charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and illegal possession of a sawed-off shotgun. He had previously been convicted of possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute.
Kugel was prosecuted under the Department of Justice's Project Safe Neighborhoods program, a federal initiative to reduce gun violence in local neighborhoods.
This is the first time someone in Middle Georgia has been prosecuted locally under this program, U.S. Attorney Max Wood said in a news release Wednesday.
"This case serves as a model for future gun prosecutions," Wood said. "Private citizens provided anonymous tips to Crimestoppers about individuals who are prohibited from possessing firearms. This information was relayed to officers assigned to the PSN Task Force, and within 24 hours, the defendant was arrested.
"Firearms such as sawed-off shotguns are some of the most dangerous weapons criminals can possess because they can be so easily concealed when used to commit crimes."
Kugel now faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison on each charge and a maximum of $250,000 in fines on each count. Kugel is expected to be sentenced next month.
In 2001, federal officials created the PSN program and pledged $558 million to reducing the gun problem across the nation.
Last year, officials in Bibb and Houston counties joined a PSN task force to identify the most effective local laws to use against gun-carrying criminals.
To contact Sharon E. Crawford, call 744-4384 or e-mail [email protected].
http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/news/local/5219534.htm
