Two Russian nationals pleaded guilty this week to conspiring to violate the Export Control Reform Act (ECRA) in connection with a scheme to acquire and illegally export controlled aviation technology to end users in Russia. One of the defendants, Oleg Sergeyevovich Patlya, also pleaded guilty to international money laundering conspiracy.
According to court documents, Patlya Sergeevich Besedin and Vasily Sergeevich Besedin, of Miami-Dade County, Florida, conspired with each other and several others to circumvent U.S. export laws and regulations. The United States sent aircraft technology to Russia. According to court documents, the illegal scheme began around May 2022 in response to Russia's recent invasion of Ukraine and increased U.S. sanctions against Russia.
“These defendants violated laws protecting the national security of the United States by smuggling sensitive aircraft technology into Russia in response to Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. Ta. “Today's guilty plea reflects the Department of Justice's commitment to violations of laws that endanger the United States and benefit our adversaries.”
“Make no mistake about it: A threat to America's economic security is a threat to our national security,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said. “America’s industry suffers when adversaries steal our technology to strengthen our economy. The FBI and our partners in the Disruptive Technology Strike Force are working to protect the United States by blocking the illegal export of sensitive technology. We remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting jobs and innovation.”
“By their own admission, the defendants fraudulently smuggled millions of dollars worth of U.S. aircraft equipment to Russian airlines,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division. I have procured it.” “These petitions are the latest example of the department's commitment to bringing to justice those who commit crimes that enrich the Russian regime.”
“Preventing the illegal export of sensitive U.S. goods and technology to sanctioned foreign parties is a critical priority that requires a whole-of-government approach,” said Gary Restaino, U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona. said. “This case serves as a textbook example of how a coordinated strike force can work together effectively and nimbly to dismantle sanctions evasion schemes and prosecute the individuals who profit from them. Ta.”
“These guilty pleas are the latest evidence of our unwavering commitment to supporting the Ukrainian people and thwarting those who seek to prop up Russia's aviation industry,” said Matthew S. Axelrod, Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement. It's not too much,” he said. “We will continue to aggressively crack down on those who violate Russian controls, including those who misrepresent their customers in an attempt to conceal the true destination of their goods to Russia.”
From approximately May 2022 to approximately May 11, 2023, Patlya and Besedin conspired with each other and several other companies to obtain orders for various aircraft parts and components from Russian buyers (primarily commercial airlines). acquired and then fulfilled those demands by acquiring these demands. They obtained parts from U.S. suppliers, including one based in Arizona, and illegally exported the parts to Russia. Defendants admitted that they knew these items were regulated and required a Department of Commerce permit to export.
For example, the defendants conspired to export carbon disc brake systems used on Boeing 737 aircraft on multiple occasions. When contacting various U.S. suppliers to obtain brake systems, Besedin and Patlya provided false information that the parts were destined for countries other than Russia. The United States was able to detain several shipments manufactured by the defendants, including units of brake assembly technology, prior to export.
Mr. Besedin and Mr. Patulya also concealed their illegal exports by making false representations about the true identity of their customers and by using straw purchasing companies located overseas to obscure the source of their income. , admitted trying to evade detection by law enforcement. For example, on September 8, 2022, Mr. Besedin and Mr. Patulya traveled to Arizona to sign a contract with a US company, and the defendants attempted to purchase a brake assembly technology unit. During discussions with the company, the defendants falsely represented that the aircraft parts would be exported to Turkey, when in fact they were destined for Russia. Defendants made false statements to the company both orally and in export compliance documents. In connection with this transaction, the defendant received money from a Russian airline as a purchase price. The funds were transferred from a Turkish bank account that had previously received funds from Russia to Patlya's American bank account.
Throughout the conspiracy, American bank accounts associated with MIC P&I LLC, a company controlled by Patlya, were used to transfer money from Russian airlines through Turkish bank accounts to purchase aircraft parts and components for illegal export. received at least $4,582,288. As part of Mr. Patulya's plea, he agreed to forfeit an amount valued at $4,582,288, along with other assets.
Both Mr. Besedin and Mr. Patsurya pleaded guilty to conspiracy to export goods from the United States without a license, in violation of the Export Control Reform Act, which carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison. Patulla also pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit international money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing is scheduled for June 17th.
The BIS Phoenix Field Office and the FBI Phoenix Field Office are conducting a joint investigation. BIS Boston Field Office, FBI Miami Field Office, HSI Phoenix Field Office, Customs and Border Protection Phoenix Field Office, and the U.S. Marshals Office in Miami provided valuable assistance.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Todd M. Allison and William G. Voight of the District of Arizona, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher M. Rigali of the National Security Agency's Counterintelligence and Export Control Division are prosecuting the case. The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida provided valuable assistance.
Today's action was coordinated through the Department of Justice and Commerce's Disruptive Technology Strike Force and the Department of Justice's Task Force KleptoCapture. The Disruptive Technology Strike Force is an interagency law enforcement strike force jointly led by the Department of Justice and the Department of Commerce that targets illegal actors, protects supply chains, and prevents authoritarian regimes and hostile nations from acquiring critical technologies. is intended to prevent. Task Force Kleptcapture is an interagency task force dedicated to enforcing the broad sanctions, export restrictions, and economic measures that the United States, along with its allies and partners, has imposed in response to Russia's unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. Law Enforcement Task Force.
