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Amin Betuni, 37, Sentenced to 46 Months in Federal Prison for Illegally Exporting Firearm Parts
CHICAGO — Amin Betuni, a 37-year-old suburban Chicago man, has been sentenced to nearly four years in federal prison for his role in shipping firearm parts to individuals in Israel without the proper licenses.
According to court documents, Betuni shipped the firearm parts to Israel on at least three occasions in 2022. The parts included rifle barrels, gas blocks for rifles, and bolt carrier groups. Betuni put false information on the shipping labels and concealed the firearm parts in packages containing auto parts or George Foreman grills.
The firearm parts were on the United States Commerce Control List and subject to federal export regulations. As such, their export from the U.S. to Israel required a license or written approval from the Department of Commerce, neither of which was obtained by Betuni prior to his shipments.
In December 2022, law enforcement conducted a court-authorized search of Betuni’s residence in Palos Hills, Ill., and discovered more than 1,200 rounds of assorted ammunition, a shotgun, rifle, and handgun, additional bolt carrier groups, and three firearm conversion devices, also known as “Glock switches,” which equip firearms to fire multiple rounds with a single pull of the trigger.
Betuni pleaded guilty earlier this year to a federal charge of knowingly and fraudulently exporting firearm parts in violation of U.S. laws and regulations.
On Thursday, U.S. District Judge John F. Kness sentenced Betuni to 46 months in federal prison.
The sentence was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Sean Fitzgerald, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of Homeland Security Investigations, and Aaron Tambrini, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Export Enforcement.
“Export-control violations are critically important because they undermine federal laws and regulations that seek to protect international security,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Pasqual.
The sentencing of Betuni to 46 months in federal prison highlights the serious consequences of violating export control laws.
Betuni is scheduled to begin serving his sentence immediately.
Defendant: Amin Betuni
Criminal Charge: Knowingly and fraudulently exporting firearm parts in violation of U.S. laws and regulations
City and State: Palos Hills, Illinois
Exact Date: Thursday
Sentence: 46 months in federal prison
Defendant Age: 37
Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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