Wednesday, February 5th 2014, 6:47 pm
A military veteran is now at the center of federal probe involving the sale of stolen World War II rifles.
Federal prosecutors say 43-year-old David Austin Kellerman allegedly took the guns from American Legion posts around the state. At the time in 2012, Kellerman served as the commander of American Legion Post 34 in El Reno.
News 9 spoke with a man who worked with the suspect and says his alleged crimes ruined a place that meant so much for many local veterans.
"I thought he'd be a great commander," says former post 34 financial officer JC Taylor.
"He's a liar and thief," says Taylor today.
Kellerman is accused of using his rank with the legion to collect World War 2 rifles on loan to each post from the Army.
Court Record show Kellerman allegedly sold as many as 120 of them for $350 each.
"I can't believe he'd treat the legion that way," says Taylor, who tells News 9 Kellerman was embezzling money from Post 34 even before the guns.
Taylor says he ruined the popularity of Post 34.
"I used to have a lot friends there, Now I don't have them anymore," says Taylor.
This is an ongoing investigations, so the Attorney Generals' Office won't comment of whether Kellerman is being investigated for other embezzlement accusations outside the guns.
In convicted, Kellerman faces 5 years in prison and would have to pay back the money for the guns.
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