NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A man who has been indicted on charges of illegally possessing up to $1 million worth of Jack Daniel’s whiskey claims he is a collector who was trying to sell the vintage bottles they came in, not the spirits.

Randy Piper of Goodlettsville was indicted on four counts related to the illegal possession, sale, transportation and storage of the liquor.

Officials seized 2,400 bottles last October after receiving a tip that someone was selling alcohol without a license. They raided two warehouses owned by Piper and a home in Lynchburg where the famous Tennessee sipping whiskey is distilled.

The value of the seized liquor has possibly been driven up by the value of the antique bottles.

Piper told The Associated Press on Tuesday that he has been collecting Jack Daniel’s bottles for about six years.

Piper’s attorney, Raymond Fraley Jr. of Fayetteville, said his client was singled out for selling one bottle for approximately $350 and charged with illegally possessing all the others.