Even if they are found not guilty, they have lost their guns, their financial stability, and often their reputation. It is not unknown for them to be convicted based on dishonest testimony, at least that is what I have read in the American Rifleman.
The wretched excesses of the ATF are well documented. Trying to get something done about any government wrongdoing is next to impossible. Which is why they continue to do it.
Gotta love those super sensitive primers they use to induce "slam-fire" in semi-auto's, then arrest the owner for having an "illegal machine gun".
Several victims, and a proven strategy for ATFE when they want to "get" some one.
Press eats it up too.