Actual ramifications of getting busted

[Captainfill]

This thread is a simple, yet extremely complex question of the 'what ifs' and 'worst case' situations of ever getting busted producing spirits for personal consumption by either a local or federal agency.

The reason for this question is because I plan on creating and producing a variety of distilled delectables entirely for personal consumption and crafting. My ultimate ambitions over years in this endeavor will be to at some point legitimize and start my own DSP. Much like you wouldn't expect a chef to start a restaurant without cooking food, I don't expect a distiller to start a DSP without experience and a developed and refined product.

I have read through legalities on both local (state) and federal levels until my eyes reached the point of bleeding and ultimately, the verdict is clear - illegal. Penalty for each infraction is a very generic up to $10,000 or up to 5 years in prison and by looking at http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/5601" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow a single personal distiller might face up to 5 infractions ($50,000 - 25 years, respectively.) While the fine would make any man sick, the 25 years is completely outrageous.

I've been trying to research stories and verdicts of the poor chaps who did run into the arm of the law and figure out what exactly they got charged with and what type of penalty they endured. Unfortunately however, I cannot find such a case.

So my question to you is under your experience and knowledge in distilling legal history, what might one expect for legal penalty? Could they seize my house/property because it had a distilling apparatus on it? Will the few drops of liquid send you to the slammer for 1/4 century?

Please not that this is totally worst case and I am quite aware of the golden rules of distilling which is shut the f*ck up about it and keep it to your own damn bizniz and never to sell any of it.

Thank you for any and all feedback, I want to be cautious and aware of the possibilities while keeping my dreams and ambitions afloat!