NEWARK, N.J. – An Edison, New Jersey, man today admitted
that he conspired to export, without a license, firearms and other items
subject to the export control list, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Gene Shilman, 62, a native of the Soviet Union, pleaded
guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Katharine S. Hayden in Newark federal
court to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to violate
the Arms Export Control Act, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act,
and the Export Control Reform Act.
According to documents filed in this case and statements
made in court:
From May 2014 through October 2018, Shilman entered into a
conspiracy that included a conspirator living in Ukraine. Shilman exported
defense articles regulated by the Arms Export Control Act. He exported to
Ukraine items that are on the commerce control list as well as items with both
defense and civilian uses that are subject to the Export Control Reform Act.
Shilman never obtained the required export license from the U.S. Department of
Commerce.
Shilman ordered and received firearm components and parts,
ammunition, night-vision goggles and bulletproof vests from various vendors and
firearms dealers in the United States. He received numerous wire transfers from
overseas locations to pay for the purchase of these items. Shilman repackaged
and shipped these munitions to overseas locations without the required export
licenses.
In September 2018, Shilman completed a Customs Declaration
form at a U.S. Post Office in Middlesex County, New Jersey, on which he falsely
represented that the contents of the parcel destined for Ukraine contained
tools and cartridges. An inspection of the parcel revealed that it actually
contained multiple upper receivers, ammunition magazines and threaded barrels
for handguns and a set of front and rear sights for a handgun.
The conspiracy count with which Shilman is charged carries a
maximum potential sentence of five years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI,
under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark; and
the U.S. Department of Commerce, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge
Jonathan Carson, with the investigation leading to the arrests.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney and
Thomas S. Kearney of the U.S. Attorney’s Office National Security Unit in
Newark.
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