Illinois Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegal Fireworks Sales

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 21, 2003
Release #04-035

CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Scott Wolfson (301) 504-7051

Illinois Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegal Fireworks Sales

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) played a critical role in the investigation that resulted in an Illinois man being sentenced today to federal prison for selling illegal fireworks to consumers.

Judge Jeanne E. Scott, of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois, sentenced 63-year-old Archie Crouch, of Streator, Ill., to 30 months in federal prison and two years of supervised release, for dealing in explosive materials and illegal flash powder devices without an ATF-issued license. Crouch admitted that he sold over 1,000 pounds of explosives in violation of federal law.

"This is the sixth successful prosecution in 2003 for CPSC and our partners in law enforcement against fireworks violators in the Midwest," said CPSC Chairman Hal Stratton. "The prison sentence handed down today should send a strong message that anyone involved in making or selling illegal fireworks to consumers will be pursued and prosecuted."

"This investigation is an example of ATF achieving the goals of our mission to protect the public," said Larry Ford, Special Agent-in-Charge, Chicago Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

CPSC sets national safety standards for fireworks and investigates individuals and firms who violate the Federal Hazardous Substances Act by selling illegal fireworks to consumers. The most dangerous kinds of fireworks, such as M-80s, quarter-sticks and half-sticks, are banned under the FHSA and responsible for hundreds of injuries and even deaths every year.

CPSC and ATF investigators, the Department of Justice's Office of Consumer Litigation, and the United States Attorney's Office in Springfield, Ill., worked cooperatively on this case.