Posted on 05/10/2007 5:57:21 AM PDT by Calpernia
SANTA ANA, Calif. - An Iranian-born United States citizen was sentenced here yesterday in U.S. District Court to two years in prison and six months of home confinement for illegally exporting U.S. military aircraft parts to Iran via associates in Germany and the United Arab Emirates.
Reza Tabib, 52, of Irvine, pleaded guilty in June 2006 to violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which prohibits the export and re-export to Iran of certain items of U.S. origin. The prosecution is the result of a joint investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS).
"One of ICE's top enforcement priorities is preventing terrorist groups and hostile nations from illegally obtaining U.S. military products and sensitive technology," said William Hayes, assistant special agent in charge for the ICE Office of Investigations in Orange County. "These items are controlled for good reason -- in the wrong hands, they could be used to inflict harm upon America or its allies."
In January 2006, agents intercepted and seized maintenance kits specifically designed for the F-14 "Tomcat" aircraft that Tabib, along with his wife, Terri Repic-Tabib, had sent to Iran via Germany. Agents arrested the couple at their Irvine residence in February 2006. A search of the Tabibs' home led to the seizure of 13,000 more aircraft parts worth an estimated $540,000. Those seized parts included military-grade hardware for different aircraft, including the F-14. The search also turned up numerous aircraft parts lists that were provided to the couple by an Iranian military officer. In addition, agents located two suitcases and two briefcases filled with aircraft parts believed to be destined for Iran. The investigation revealed that prior to his arrest, Tabib had purchased tickets to travel to Iran.
"Yesterday's sentencing brings to conclusion an investigation that identified and stopped a significant illegal conspiracy to provide U.S. military technology directly to the Iranian military," said Rick Gwin, special agent in charge for the DCIS Western Field Office. "This investigation signifies the aggressive pursuit by the DCIS, in cooperation with our other federal law enforcement partners, to identify and prosecute those who illegally export or steal our sensitive military technology."
Terri Repic-Tabib pleaded guilty to providing a false statement on a shippers' export declaration form and was sentenced to two years probation on March 26, 2006. Agents determined that Repic-Tabib intentionally avoided reporting requirements on the shipment of the F-14 "Tomcat" aircraft parts to Germany, which were ultimately destined for Iran.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/1831238/posts
Brooklyn man who violated U.S. Arms Export Control Act is sentenced
>>>>Israeli authorities had investigated Cohen in the past for allegedly transferring arms to Iran.<<<<
Back at the time of the revolution in Iran, there was an interview on TV with some official in the new Iranian government. The interviewer, noting that the Iranian AF was comprised of American made planes and that parts for those planes were now embargoed, asked the official what they were going to do for spare parts. The official answered with disdain, (from memory only) “We are talking about American businessmen here...there will be no problem getting what we need.”
Yard sale?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16648850/
Iran gets military gear in Pentagon surplus sale
Sensitive weapon, F-14 parts surprisingly easy to acquire at auctions
Like Jack Murtha says....There are many ways to influence someone.
Money for blood.
Wow! That article is scary!
O.C. pilot get 2 years for exporting parts to Iran
Irvine man sentenced to two years in prison for illegally exporting military aircraft parts to Iran.
A one-time flight instructor at John Wayne Airport.
Tabib was a flight instructor at the airport and ran Newport Flight Center, Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Lee said. Tabib's wife helped with his business.
His wife, Terri Repic-Tabib, who is also an Iranian-born U.S. citizen, pleaded guilty to providing a false statement on an export declaration form and was sentenced to two years probation in March 2006.
Reza Tabib is out on $1 million bail and must report to federal authorities on July 16.
http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/news/local/irvine/crimeandsafety/article_1688151.php
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