Three Men Indicted for Dealing in Defense Secrets and Exporting Military Equipment
The Justice Department today announced that three men have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Fresno, California on charges relating to the acquisition and transmission of secret defense information and the export of stolen and sensitive military equipment.
Among other charges, the indictment alleges that two of the three defendants violated the Arms Export Control Act and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations by shipping several military articles, including body armor and chemical protective suits to Yemen. These items cannot be legally exported from the United States without authorization from the Department of State's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls.
The defendants were also charged with Conspiracy to Possess and Transmit Defense Information; Conspiracy to Unlawfully Export Defense Articles; Attempted Unlawful Export of Defense Articles; and Conspiracy to Possess Stolen Government Property. If convicted, the defendants face significant jail time and monetary penalties.