U.S. Rep Hostettler sentenced on gun charge

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Rep. John Hostettler, R-Ind., was sentenced to 60 days in jail for taking a gun into the Louisville airport, but under a plea agreement, won't serve any time.

Hostettler will not serve jail time if he does not have further legal problems for two years. Under a plea arrangement, Hostettler surrendered his semiautomatic weapon, the Louisville Courier-Journal reported Tuesday.

Last April 20, airport screeners discovered a gun in the briefcase of the five-term U.S. representative from southwestern Indiana. Hostettler, who has a permit to carry a gun, said he forgot the weapon was in the briefcase.

He was not present at the sentencing hearing Monday in Jefferson District Court, the newspaper said.

Hostettler is seeking a sixth term as representative of Indiana's 8th District. He is facing Democrat Jon Jennings, a former Clinton administration official, in the November election.