A Clarion County man known for hosting parties where he demonstrated homemade weapons pleaded guilty in federal court this morning to illegally selling firearms.

Morgan A. Jones, 65, of Lucinda, was scheduled to go to trial before Chief U.S. District Judge Donetta Ambrose later this week.

Instead, he appeared in district court, wearing a red Allegheny County Jail jumpsuit. He had a suit to wear for the proceedings but was not permitted by jail staff to put it on.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret Picking, agents seized 93 guns and 60,000 rounds of ammunition from Mr. Jones' residence during a search on June 8, 2008.

It was a part of an investigation into the sale of illegal firearms involving militias in Western Pennsylvania that began in October 2006.

Following Ms. Picking's summary of the evidence against Mr. Jones, defense attorney Marty Dietz told the judge that his client disagreed with some of what was said.

"Mr. Jones was never a member of any organized militia," he said. And further, he added, he doesn't have any anti-government sentiment, either.

Judge Ambrose said she did not assume either of those things from the information provided to her.

Mr. Jones will be sentenced on Oct. 5. According to Mr. Dietz, his recommended guideline range is 18 to 24 months in prison.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.