Iran National Pleads Guilty to Illegal Exports of Missile Parts, Radio Kits
The Bureau of Industry and Security reports that Davoud Baniameri, an Iranian national residing in California, has pleaded guilty to charges relating to the illegal export of missile components and radio test sets from the U.S. to Iran via the United Arab Emirates.
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Illegally Exported Radio Kits, Missile Connector Adaptors to Iran via UAE
According to the plea agreement and other court records, in 2008, Syed Majid Mousavi, based in Iran, contacted Baniameri in California and requested that he purchase and export radio test sets from the U.S. to Iran, through Dubai. Baniameri agreed and negotiated the purchase of three Marconi radio test sets from a company in Illinois. Ultimately, Baniameri arranged for the radio test kits to be sent to him in California, where he shipped them to Dubai, for ultimate transshipment to Iran. At no time did Baniameri obtain or attempt to obtain a license from the U.S. government for the export of the radio test sets.
The plea agreement also states that in 2009, Mousavi contacted Baniameri and requested that he purchase and export to Iran via Dubai ten connector adapters for TOW and TOW2 missile systems. Baniameri agreed to purchase the items on behalf of Mousavi, and he and his co-defendants attempted to purchase ten connector adaptors from a company in Illinois, which unbeknownst to them, was in fact a company controlled by law enforcement.
In September 2009, Baniameri admitted that he directed Andro Telemi to take possession of the connector adaptors in California after having paid $9,450 to a representative of the Illinois company. To further facilitate the export of these items to Iran, Baniameri arranged to fly from the U.S. to Dubai and then from Dubai to Iran. At no time did Baniameri obtain or attempt to obtain a license from the U.S. government for the export of the connector adaptors.
Faces Up to 30 Years in Prison, $500K Fine for IEEPA & AECA Violations
Baniameri, aka Davoud Baniamery, David Baniameri, and David Baniemery, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to export goods and technology to Iran without a license or approval from the Treasury Department, in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), and one count of attempting to export defense articles on the U.S. Munitions List without a license or approval from the State Department, in violation of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA).
Baniameri faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for violating IEEPA and a maximum of 20 years in prison for violating AECA and a maximum fine of $250,000 on each count. A written plea agreement contemplates a sentencing guideline range of 46 to 57 months imprisonment.
One Other Defendant Indicted, Iranian Citizen Remains Fugitive
Baniameri was indicted along with co-defendants Telemi, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Iran, and Mousavi, an Iranian citizen living in Iran. Telemi is awaiting trial, and Mousavi remains a fugitive and is believed to be in Iran.
(Press release dated 05/31/11)