US indicts man for 'posting guns to Aust'
AAP
Peter Mitchell - October 18, 2013, 9:54 am
A Kentucky man accused of selling an assault rifle and a 9mm pistol to buyers in Australia via an encrypted "deep web" website has been indicted by a grand jury in the US.
Adam Joseph Bunger, 33, will be arraigned on October 30 in the District Court in Bowling Green, Kentucky, after the jury was presented with evidence collected by Australian Federal Police and US authorities.
Bunger is accused of using the German-based website Black Market Reloaded to find buyers in Australia, the UK and Sweden for guns.
The investigation into Bunger's activities began on June 21 when Australian authorities in Sydney inspected a package sent via express post from the US and discovered a Star Echeverria Modelo Super 9mm pistol hidden inside an Xbox game console, it was alleged.
The intended recipient of the package allegedly told AFP officers he purchased the firearm via Black Market Reloaded, which connects buyers and sellers of guns, alcohol, cigarettes, drugs and counterfeit clothes, birth certificates and other other illicit goods.
The investigation led US authorities to a Bowling Green post office and on July 13 two packages allegedly sent by Bunger - one bound for Australia containing a disassembled assault rifle hidden in a DVD player and a "Uzi style pistol" bound for the UK - were seized.
The grand jury delivered a four count indictment against Bunger on Wednesday in Kentucky, including exporting firearms contrary to US law and dealing in firearms in foreign commerce while not a licensed importer, manufacturer or dealer.
If found guilty of the four charges he faces a maximum jail sentence of 25 years.
