BIS Denies Export Privileges for Illegal Exports to Mexico, Argentina, Iran
The Bureau of Industry and Security recently revoked export privileges for five people after they illegally exported or tried to export controlled items from the U.S.
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BIS said California resident Mehdi Hashemi was convicted July 6, 2020, for trying to export “Computer Numerical Control” machines from the U.S. to Iran via the United Arab Emirates. Hashemi tried to export the machines -- which were classified under Category 2 (Materials Processing) of the Export Administration Regulations, as well as EAR99 -- without a license from BIS or the Treasury Department. Hashemi was sentenced to 367 days in prison, three years of supervised release and a $100 court assessment. BIS denied Hashemi's export privileges for 10 years from the date of conviction.
Jose Luis Arevalo-Gonzalez, who is an inmate in a medical center for federal prisoners in Missouri, was convicted Jan. 6, 2020, of trying to export various weapons and weapons parts to Mexico, BIS said. The items included one Barret.50 caliber bolt, three FA Cugir Romanian AK47s, seven Century Arms VSKA AK47s, one Century Arms WASR AK47 and 85 “assorted magazines.” Arevalo-Gonzalez was sentenced to 57 months in prison, three years of supervised release and a $100 court assessment. BIS denied Arevalo-Gonzalez's export privileges for 10 years from the date of conviction.
John James Peterson of Florida was convicted Nov. 14, 2019, of conspiring to illegally export defense articles from the U.S. to Argentina, including AR-15 assault rifles parts, BIS said. Peterson was sentenced to 11 months in prison, one year of supervised release and a $100 court assessment. BIS denied Peterson's export privileges for five years from the date of conviction.
Bryan Villanueva-Valles, currently imprisoned in California, was convicted Jan. 10, 2020, of trying to export, send, conceal and facilitate the illegal shipment of “various rifles and handguns” from the U.S. to Mexico, BIS said. Villanueva-Valles was sentenced to 108 months in prison, three years of supervised release, a $300 assessment and a forfeiture of $11,900. BIS denied Villanueva-Valles' export privileges for 10 years from the date of conviction.
Tito Calderon Olvera of Tennessee was convicted Feb. 26, 2020, of trying to export a firearm and other defense parts to Mexico, BIS said, including a Glock "GEN 4," five Glock magazines and multiple rounds of ammunition. Olvera was sentenced to 18 months in prison with credit for time served and three years of supervised release. BIS denied Olvera’s export privileges for five years from the date of conviction.