ACRAMENTO, Calif. — Dariush Niknia, 60, of Elk Grove, was sentenced at this time to 2 years and 10 months in jail, and Richard Lant, 77, of Las Vegas, Nevada, was sentenced to 24 months of dwelling detention and fined $7,500 for a conspiracy to export to an embargoed nation, Iran, U.S. Legal professional Phillip A. Talbert introduced.
In keeping with court docket paperwork, between Might and October 2015, Niknia, Lant and others conspired to unlawfully promote and provide 500 Russian-made tank helmets to Niknia’s contact in Tehran, Iran. The helmets have been to be configured for a Russian-produced T-72S battle tank and have been required to have a five-pin plug, a function that’s essential to allow a tank communication machine.
In Might 2015, Niknia contacted Lant, who operated R&L Ltd., an organization that offered Russian objects, and requested to buy 500 T-72S tank helmets and to have the helmets shipped to Tehran. Niknia initially paid R&L to buy pattern tank helmets and to have the helmets despatched from Russia to Iran. Previous to the cargo of the primary pattern helmet, each Lant and Niknia have been informed that the USA’ sanctions prohibited the cargo of things to Iran, however each however proceeded with the transaction.
Niknia’s buyer rejected the primary pattern helmet as a result of it didn’t have an oblong five-pin plug, however accredited the second pattern tank helmet that was despatched to Tehran. In an electronic mail communication with Niknia, Niknia’s Iranian contact mentioned the truth that the helmets could be inspected by the last word purchaser, the Authorities of Iran. Niknia then requested extra helmets be despatched to Tehran, 50 at a time, and paid Lant cash for the acquisition and cargo of the primary 50 helmets. Nevertheless, the deal in the end stalled as a result of Lant’s affiliate couldn’t acquire and ship the tank helmets within the portions and timeframe Niknia required. The Russian provider mentioned the difficulties stemmed from the truth that it was unlawful to promote massive portions of tank helmets and to ship trendy army objects to nations akin to Iran that may use them in “terroristic or any conflict methods.”
In Might 2015, Niknia had tried to buy battle tank helmets from one other particular person who offered Russian army memorabilia on-line. This particular person didn’t promote Niknia any helmets and as a substitute reported him to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The embargo on Iran, which is enforced by way of the Worldwide Emergency Financial Powers Act and the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Laws, prohibits the export, sale, and provide of products to Iran by United States individuals with very restricted exceptions. It additionally prohibits, with very restricted exceptions, United States individuals from partaking in any transaction or dealing associated to the sale or provide of products to Iran.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Legal professional Shelley D. Weger prosecuted the case with help from Trial Legal professional Scott Claffee of the Counterintelligence and Export Management Part of the Nationwide Safety Division.
