US Resident Pleads Guilty for Illegal Defense Exports to Oman
An Oakland, California, resident pleaded guilty last week to illegally exporting firearms and other defense items, including night vision goggles. DOJ said Fares Abdo Al Eyani tried to ship the items to Oman from the Port of Oakland in 2019, but U.S. law enforcement stopped the shipment from leaving the country.
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Al Eyani pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to export defense articles and seven counts of attempting to export defense articles, which DOJ said were controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and Arms Export Control Act. He faces a maximum 20-year prison sentence and a $1 million fine.
DOJ said Al Eyani tried to ship the items -- including firearms, magazines, ammunition, at least 44 rifle scopes, monoculars and night-vision goggles -- on two separate occasions in November and December 2019. To hide the firearms in the November shipment, he disassembled them and wrapped them in aluminum foil before hiding them in cars inside a shipping container, DOJ said. Al Eyani tried to export the remaining rifle scopes, monoculars and goggles in two shipping containers from Oakland the following month.
The containers were stopped after being searched by U.S. authorities. DOJ said Al Eyani never received an export license.
DOJ also said Al Eyani’s wife, Saba Mohsen Dhaifallah, pleaded guilty to making false statements to FBI special agents during the investigation. Dhaifallah faces a maximum five-year prison sentence and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing hearings for both Al Eyani and Dhaifallah are scheduled for March 22.