FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2003 WWW.USDOJ.GOV	CIV (202) 514-2007 TDD (202) 514-1888

THREE ILLINOIS MEN CHARGED WITH ILLEGAL FIREWORKS SALES

SPRINGFIELD, IL - Three men from central Illinois have been charged with distributing illegal fireworks considered to be explosive materials under federal law, the Department of Justice, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today. Each of the individuals charged today has agreed to plead guilty to federal explosives felonies, which provide for sentences of up to ten years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine and up to three years of supervised release.

Archie Crouch of Streator, Illinois, has been charged with engaging in the business of dealing in explosive materials without a required ATF-issued license. Crouch admitted in a plea agreement filed today that he sold over 1000 pounds of explosive materials in violation of federal explosives law.

Larry Smith of Springfield and Jack Scott, Jr. of Bethany, both of whom had ATF licenses to sell the materials, were charged with distributing explosives to persons prohibited from possessing such materials. In Smith's plea agreement, he admitted selling 452 pounds of explosive materials in violation of federal law. Scott admitted in his plea agreement to selling over 500 pounds of explosive materials in violation of federal law. In addition to agreeing to plead guilty, Smith and Scott have agreed to give up their explosives licenses and never again to seek new ones.

"These prosecutions demonstrate that federal laws governing fireworks and explosives are being vigorously enforced and that those involved in distributing these illegal and dangerous materials will be prosecuted," said Robert D. McCallum, Jr., Assistant Attorney General for the Department’s Civil Division.

"ATF, while working in partnership with other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, will remain committed to diligently enforcing the federal explosives laws with public safety as our paramount concern," said Larry Ford, Special Agent-In-Charge of the ATF Chicago Field Division.

"Through diligent inspections and investigations, CPSC is tracking down and shutting down illegal roadside stands, warehouses and retail stores that sell professional grade explosives to consumers, and homes that serve as havens for the manufacture of illegal fireworks, " said CPSC Chairman Hal Stratton. "We are committed to safeguarding the American public from these illegal devices."

The cases, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois, resulted from the coordinated efforts of several federal agencies. ATF and CPSC worked closely with the Justice Department’s Office of Consumer Litigation and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of Illinois to assist in the prosecution of these individuals.

Contact: ATF Special Agent Tom Ahern, pager: 888-509-6027

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