February 26, 1998
 
                                
                  FLORIDA CRIMINAL CONVICTION 
             IN UNLICENSED RADIO BROADCASTING CASE
                                
     Attached is a February 25, 1998, press release of the United States Attorney for the
Middle District of Florida announcing the conviction by a jury of criminal charges against a
Lutz, Florida, man, Arthur Kobres, as a result of unlicensed radio broadcasting.

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     Reply to: Tampa                              




                        U.S. Department of Justice
                          United States Attorney
                        Middle District of Florida




                                 

                        February 25, 1998

                          MEDIA RELEASE


     Charles R. Wilson, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida,
announced today the return of a criminal conviction, in connection with violations of
federal communications laws as a result of unlicensed radio broadcasting by Arthur
"Lonnie" Kobres.   
     Arthur Kobres, age 53, of Lutz, was charged in a fourteen-count indictment with
operating a radio station without a license, in violation of Title 47, United States Code,
Sections 301 and 501.  A jury found the defendant guilty on all counts.  The statutory
maximum penalty for violations of Sections 301 and 501 is two years' imprisonment and
a fine of up to $250,000 per count.  Such penalties may be cumulative, resulting in a
maximum term of imprisonment of 28 years and a fine of up to $3.5 million.  In addition,
the United States also has recently successfully concluded a civil action against Mr.
Kobres, in which his equipment used to conduct the broadcasts was ordered forfeited
to the United States, pursuant to Title 47, United States Code, Section 510.
     The evidence at the criminal trial demonstrated that on 14 different dates,
beginning in November 1, 1995 and continuing through September 24, 1997, Mr.
Kobres engaged in unlicensed radio broadcasting, and did so even after having been
advised that his actions were illegal, and causing interference to the radio and
television reception of surrounding neighbors.  The case was the first criminal case of
its kind brought under the statute in many years.   
     The case was investigated by officials of the Federal Communications
Commission.  The criminal matter involving Mr. Kobres was prosecuted by Assistant
United States Attorney Ronald J. Tenpas of the Major Crimes Section.  The civil
forfeiture action was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patricia A. Willing
of the Asset Forfeiture Section.  

HEADLINE: GOVERNMENT CONVICTS PIRATE RADIO BROADCASTER
     The United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida announced today
the conviction of  Arthur "Lonnie" Kobres, for the illegal operation of an unlicensed
radio station.  In addition, that same office announced that the United States also
prevailed in a parallel civil proceeding seeking forfeiture to the United States of the
radio broadcasting equipment being used to conduct Mr. Kobres's unlicensed
broadcasts.