Lawyers for the Rev. Philip Miles, 57, of Christ Community Church in Conway, S.C., say they will appeal the conviction and sentence to a higher court, the Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported Monday.

Miles was charged with illegal possession and smuggling of ammunition after authorities found rifle rounds in his luggage when he flew into Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport Jan. 29.

Miles told the court he was taking the ammunition to his Russian hunting partner.

The pastor's lawyer and defense witnesses testified that Miles wasn't aware ammunition was something he had to declare.