United States Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan announced today, July 8, 2008, that Bradley T. Kahle, of Troutville, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating federal firearms laws.

The one-count indictment named Kahle, age 60, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, on or about June 8, 2008,  Kahle possessed firearms which were not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, specifically, destructive devices consisting of explosive bombs.  The defendant is presently detained on a criminal complaint, pending trial.

Assistant United States Attorney Margaret E. Picking, who presented the case to the grand jury, indicated that the law provides for a maximum total sentence of ten (10) years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police, with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and other state and federal law enforcement agencies, conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.