BIS Suspends Export Privileges for False Statements, Illegal Exports to Mexico
The Bureau of Industry and Security recently suspended the export privileges of four people, including two for making false statements to the government and two others for illegally exporting guns or ammunition to Mexico.
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Darus Zehrbach of West Virginia was convicted April 24, 2019, of “knowingly and willfully” making a “materially false, fictitious, fraudulent statement and representation” to BIS. The agency said Zehrbach knew he had shipped goods from the U.S. to Iran but said in a letter to a BIS agent that “any shipment he had caused to be made to Iran had originated in China,” BIS said. Zehrbach was sentenced to six months in prison, one year of supervised release and a $100 assessment. BIS revoked Zehrbach’s export privileges for 10 years from the conviction date.
Katie Ellen O’Brien of Arizona was convicted Jan. 17, 2019, for making false statements or “misrepresentations” to the U.S. government during an investigation and for smuggling firearms to Mexico, BIS said. O’Brien was sentenced to five years' “confinement” with credit for time served, three years of supervised release and a $600 “special assessment.” BIS revoked O’Brien’s export privileges for 10 years from the conviction date.
Damian Espinoza-Gonzalez of Arizona was convicted April 6, 2021, on charges related to smuggling firearms and ammunition from the U.S. to Mexico, BIS said. Espinoza-Gonzalez was sentenced to time served, three years of supervised release, a $200 special assessment and a $1,500 criminal fine. BIS revoked Espinoza-Gonzalez’s export privileges for 10 years from the conviction date.
Gustavo Cavazos of Texas was convicted Nov. 19, 2020, for smuggling firearms to Mexico, BIS said. Cavazos was sentenced to time served, three years of supervised release and a $100 assessment. BIS revoked Cavazos’ export privileges for five years from the conviction date.