PEORIA — A 61-year-old Gibson City man faces federal prison time and fines up to $250,000 following his conviction on federal mail fraud and other charges. Carl Kieser was convicted for selling a product that prosecutors said led to the death of fish in ponds and lakes across the country.

Kieser will be sentenced February 19th in federal court in Peoria.

Following a five-day trial, a jury deliberated for one hour last week before finding l Kieser guilty of mail fraud and illegal application of a pesticide inconsistent with its labeling.

Kieser had previously been convicted of four counts of tax evasion.

The Gibson City man faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for mail fraud; five years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000 for tax evasion; and one year in prison and a fine of up to $50,000 for applying a pesticide inconsistent with its labeling.

According to court records, Kieser owned and operated Aquatic Control of Illinois, a business located at his Gibson City Fishing and Camping Club, south of Gibson City on Illinois 47.

"The government presented evidence to establish that from June 2006 to September 2012, Kieser purchased large quantities of a pesticide (Diuron 80DF) registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the control of land-based weeds." U.S. Attorney's office spokeswoman Sharon Paul.said "The EPA-approved labeling for Diuron 80DF warns that the chemical should not be applied directly to water due to its toxicity to fish and other aquatic wildlife."

Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugene L. Miller said Kieser manufactured, advertised, sold and distributed a product he called Pond Clear Plus as part of a fraud scheme. {submitted info from U-S Attorney's Office}

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