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Wheeling man pleads guilty to exporting firearms to other countries

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A Wheeling man has entered guilty pleas after admitting to acquiring firearms in the Ohio Valley and then shipping them to other countries, U.S. Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld II recently announced.

Michael Steven Frank, 25, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to export firearms and money laundering, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's office.

Frank admitted that from February 2012 to August 2012, he unlawfully exported 24 firearms to purchasers in Canada and Israel.

The news release said at least one of the foreign sales was funded through an unlawful money laundering transaction where the buyer anonymously shipped $2,000 in currency to Frank.

As part of his plea, Frank will forfeit all firearms involved in the violations as well as a $2,000 money judgment. He is free on bond pending sentencing and could face up to 25 years in prison and a $750,000 fine.