Montgomery man faces 15-year sentence after being convicted for online gun trafficking

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – An Alabama man is facing 15 years in federal prison for trafficking firearms on underground websites.

U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama George Beck Jr. announced on Wednesday that 48-year-old Michael A. Focia of Montgomery was found guilty on June 19 of dealing firearms without a federal license and transferring a firearm to an out-of-state resident.

Prosecutors say Focia operated as a weapons vendor on "Black Market Reloaded" and "Agora," both of which were underground marketplaces accessible only when using anonymous encrypted Internet browsing software.

Federal agents say they posed as gun buyers on the two websites and were able to purchase weapons. Focia shipped the guns from Alabama to Nebraska and New Jersey.

Focia's sentencing hearing has been set for October 15.