Dan Stamm

Man Learns Fate for Pipe Bombs, Fraud

A Chester County man who pleaded guilty to defrauding more than 250 investors of $3 million and having pipe bombs has been sentenced to serve more than a decade in prison.

Istvan Merchenthaler was sentenced Wednesday in Philadelphia federal court to 11 years and eight months in prison.

The 45-year-old Downingtown man must also pay $3.4 million in restitution and $400,000 in unpaid taxes.

Merchenthaler pleaded guilty in 2014 to fraud and possessing explosives and firearms.

Prosecutors say he had people invest in his phone company and used the money to pay himself and previous investors.

In 2012, Merchenthaler removed his electronic-monitoring bracelet while free on bail and fled in a stolen Jeep. Authorities found him as well as guns and pipe bombs.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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