Two Plead Guilty to Conspiring to Export Computer Equipment to Iran
On February 16, 2012, the Justice Department announced that Massound Habibion, co-owner of Online Micro LLC, pleaded guilty to willfully conspiring to illegally export computers from the U.S. to Iran through the United Arab Emirates without a license or government authorization, in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Additionally, Mohsen Motamedian, another co-owner of Online Micro, pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice.
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Dell Suspended Company from Placing Orders After Service Calls Received from Iran
In or around May 2007, Online Micro purchased 1,000 computer units from Dell Inc. for approximately $500,000. Later that year, Dell began receiving service calls concerning Dell computer units from individuals in Iran, and after conducting an internal investigation, suspended Online Micro from placing further orders with Dell.
Conspired with UAE Company to Procure U.S.-Origin Goods for Export to Iran
Beginning around November 2009 and continuing through December 2010, Habibion and Online Micro conspired with Company X, a firm operating in Dubai, UAE and Tehran, Iran to procure U.S.-origin computer-related goods and export those goods to Iran via the UAE. During the scope of the conspiracy, Online Micro and Habibion sold and exported from the U.S. to Company X numerous shipments of computer-related goods, worth a total of more than $4,904,962, with knowledge that the majority of those goods were destined for Iran.
Falsely Identified Ultimate Destination as UAE on Shipper's Export Declarations
Online Micro also caused Shipper’s Export Declarations to be filed with U.S. Customs and Border Protection falsely identifying the ultimate destination of the goods as the UAE. During the course of the investigation, Habibion and Motamedian told a government cooperator to lie to U.S. law enforcement officials about the transactions. Specifically, the defendants told the cooperator to lie about Iran being the true ultimate destination for the goods and that the computer-related goods would remain in Dubai.
Company and Defendant Denied Export Privileges for 10 Years, Etc.
Under the terms of the plea and related civil settlements, Habibion and his company have agreed to a $1.9 million forfeiture. In addition, Habibion and Online Micro are denied export privileges for 10 years, although the denial order will be suspended provided that neither Habibion nor Online Micro commit any export violations during the 10-year probationary period and comply with the terms of the criminal plea agreements and sentences. Motamedian separately agreed to a $50,000 monetary penalty to settle a civil charge that he solicited a false statement to federal law enforcement agents.
Conspirators Face Combined Max of 25 Years in Prison, $1M Fine at Sentencing
The maximum sentence for Habibion and the company is five years in prison and $1 million. The maximum sentence for Motamedian is 20 years in prison. Their sentencing is scheduled for May 16, 2012.