Congressman convicted on weapons charge

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ky., Aug. 11 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. John Hostettler, R-Ind., was convicted of carrying a concealed lethal weapon into the Louisville International Airport in April.

Hostettler, 43, pleaded guilty Tuesday to the misdemeanor charge, accepting a 60-day jail sentence that was suspended on the condition he surrender his pistol and avoid legal troubles for the next two years, the Louisville Courier-Journal reported. He will undergo formal sentencing Aug. 23.

If his case had gone to trial, Hostettler could have faced up to a year in jail.

Hostettler had a permit to carry his Glock 9mm pistol in Indiana, but he said he forgot it was in his briefcase when he tried to board a flight to Washington April 20.