VILLA RIDGE WOMAN SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISON
Tara Michelle Kern, 39, of Villa Ridge, Illinois, was sentenced on August 8, 2012, to 6 months in federal prison, to be followed by 6 months house arrest, for federal gun offenses and obstructing justice, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today. Kern was also placed on two years supervised release and was fined $400.
Kern had previously pleaded guilty to a four count Indictment which charged in Count 1 of the Indictment charges that from on or about October 8, 2006, to on or about May 17, 2011, in Pulaski County, Tara M. Kern did knowingly aid and abet a convicted felon (William A. Kern) in the possession of a firearm, a Ruger Mini 14, .223 caliber rifle, in violation of federal law; in Count 2 of the Indictment charges that from on or about September 25, 2007, to on or about May 17, 2011, in Pulaski County, Tara M. Kern did knowingly aid and abet a convicted felon (William A. Kern) in the possession of a firearm, a Ruger Model 10/22. .22 caliber rifle, in violation of federal law; in Count 3 of the Indictment charges that from on or about November 20, 2007, to on or about May 17, 2011, in Pulaski County, Tara M. Kern did knowingly aid and abet a convicted felon (William A. Kern) in the possession of a firearm, a Benelli Super Black Eagle 12 gauge shotgun, in violation of federal law; and in Count 4 of the Indictment charges that on May 17, 2011, in Pulaski County, Tara M. Kern did knowingly conceal six (6) firearms with the intent to impede, obstruct, and influence the investigation of a matter within the jurisdiction of the ATF, all in violation of federal law.
William Kern was previously sentenced to 42 months imprisonment on federal gun charges.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the ATF, Illinois State Police, Union County Sheriff's Office, Union County State's Attorney's Office, the Southern Illinois Drug Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney George A. Norwood.
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