Illinois man gets 8 years in prison for pesticide fraud

PEORIA, Ill. (AP) - A central Illinois man has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison after selling a pond-clearing solution that included a pesticide not intended to be applied to water.

Carl Kieser of Gibson City was sentenced Thursday by Chief U.S. District Judge James Shadid. He was convicted of mail fraud, tax evasion and illegal application of a pesticide.

Government evidence showed the 63-year-old Kieser sold a product which he distributed through the mail called "Pond Clear Plus" by mixing a chemical called Diuron 80DF with other ingredients. The federal government has approved Diuron 80DF for use against land-based weeds but its labeling warns it is toxic to fish and other aquatic life so should not be applied to water.

Kieser made $400,000, but paid not federal income tax.