A Denver man who sold guns — including one he converted into a fully automatic rifle — to a convicted felon was sentenced to 2 ½ years in prison today.
The sentence came after Conard Kern pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges of possession of a machine gun, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number and selling of firearms to a felon. According to his plea agreement, Kern sold 14 different guns to a confidential informant — who was and told Kern he was a felon — on several occasions during the summer of 2011. On at least one occasion, according to the plea document, Kern and the informant talked about how one of the guns Kern sold and about how certain kinds of ammunition could penetrate police officers’ bullet-proof vests.
At Kern’s sentencing Tuesday in federal court, Kern’s attorney said the sales occurred during a time after Kern had lost his job with Toyota and was working two jobs to make ends meet. When it came time to speak, Kern apologized for his crimes.
“I have no excuses, your honor,” Kern told U.S. District Judge William Martinez. “I was in a bad situation, and I made some bad choices.”
Prosecutors had argued for a stricter sentence — at least 4 years and 9 months. Assistant U.S. Attorney M.J. Menendez said a weapon sold by a known gang member to the same confidential informant had been linked to Kern.
And federal agents made a link to Kern in June , though they have not detailed what the connection is.
Friends of Kern’s, meanwhile, told Martinez that Kern is a decent person who made a mistake.
“The Conard that I know is a good man and in no way a threat to society,” said friend Alison Klein.
Martinez ultimately decided to cut Kern a break, sentencing him to 30 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release. Martinez then warned Kern he would levy a maximum sentence if Kern ever appeared before him again.
Kern said he wouldn’t.
“Now I know what comes with easy money,” Kern said.
John Ingold: 303-954-1068 or jingold@denverpost.com
