FASTEN Investigation: Pulaski County Sheriff's Deputy Tara Kern Charged with 20 Felony Counts

Associated Content ^ | June 09, 2011 | Jayn Bigler

[MosesmomS]

A sheriff's deputy in Pulaski County, Ill., has been arrested today and charged with 20 counts of felony including unlawful sale of firearms.

Tara M. Kern, 38, of Villa Ridge, a deputy sheriff in Pulaski County, was charged with two counts of official misconduct, 16 counts of the unlawful sale of firearms and two counts of obstructing justice, according to a statement released today by special prosecutor Tyler R. Edmonds, the state's attorney for Union County.

According to the press release, "Kern is alleged to have provided firearms to her husband, William A. Kern, a convicted felon, during the years 2010 and 2011, including weapons obtained by her in her official capacity as a Pulaski County Sheriff's Deputy."

[ridesthemiles]

I am stunned that a deputy gets to keep her job when she had a felon for a husband.

Is there any part of the justice system the citizens can believein???

[Sawdring]

Why shouldn’t she be able to keep her job if her husband is a felon?

[NEMDF]

The felonious husband is also the stepson of the county sheriff. Sounds like a tight family/law enforcement group.

[USNBandit]

I am stunned that a deputy gets to keep her job when she had a felon for a husband.

It would definitely make a background investigation harder to pass.

It is interesting the assortment of weapons that were seized. It looks like this woman might have been buying a gun collection for her husband's use. It is a wide assortment without much in common except a bunch of them are "camouflaged." Could be she married a red neck hunter with a felony conviction.

[labusiness]

Why should she not be able to keep her job if her husband is a felon?

[jmacusa]

What is this woman trying to do, drum up business?

[Joe 6-pack]

"The second charge of obstructing justice alleges that Kern concealed evidence "with the intent to prevent prosecution of William A. Kern," by removing from her residence a Ruger Mark III Target .22 caliber pistol, a Smith & Wesson MP-15 .223 caliber rifle, a Savage HMR model 93R17 .17 caliber bolt-action rifle, a Remington model 700 .308 bolt-action rifle, a Remington model 700 22-250 caliber camouflage bolt action rifle, a Benelliu Super Eagle II Camouflage 12 gauge shotgun, a New England single shot 20 gauge shotgun, a Heritage Rough Rider .22 caliber revolver, a Springfield XD9 9MM pistol, a Rock Island Armory 1911 .45 caliber pistol, a Glock model 22 .40 caliber pistol, a Ruger Mini 14 .223 caliber rifle a Benelliu Nova Pump 12 gauge shotgun, a Ruger model 10/22 .22 caliber camouflage rifle, a Romarm AK-47 rifle and a Sig Sauer 9MM pistol."

Pretty decent starter set...