Manfred Gruber, Ammunition Export Conspiracy, New York 2026

⏱ 2 min read

Manfred Gruber, an Italian national, pleaded guilty to conspiring to export American-made ammunition worth over $540,000 from the United States to Kyrgyzstan, where it was then reexported to Russia to fuel its war against Ukraine. The scheme, which involved multiple companies controlled by Gruber and his co-conspirator, Sergei Zharnovnikov, was uncovered by the FBI and the Department of Commerce. The case was heard in federal court in Brooklyn, where Gruber entered his guilty plea.

The investigation revealed that Gruber used his companies in Italy to hide the true destination of the ammunition, which was ultimately used to support Russia’s war effort. The Export Control Reform Act was violated when the ammunition was shipped to Kyrgyzstan without the proper licenses and permits. Gruber’s co-conspirator, Zharnovnikov, was sentenced to 39 months in prison in January 2026 for his role in the scheme.

The guilty plea is a significant victory for law enforcement, who have been working to disrupt the flow of illegal arms to Russia. The case highlights the importance of enforcing export controls and the need for vigilance in preventing the diversion of military-grade materials to adversarial nations.

The FBI, DOJ, and Department of Commerce worked together to bring Gruber to justice, demonstrating the effectiveness of interagency cooperation in combating arms trafficking. The case serves as a warning to those who would seek to profit from the illegal arms trade, and underscores the commitment of law enforcement to holding accountable those who fuel conflict and violence.

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Weapons

James Morgan, Destructive Devices, Wisconsin 2024

Apr 9, 2026

Weapons

William Henry Alberts, Silencer Possession, Montana 2024

Apr 8, 2026

Weapons

Tyrus Prude, Possession of Ammunition by a Convicted Felon, Connecticut 2019

May 29, 2019

Weapons

Paul Eric Sherrod Parham, Gun Possession, Virginia 2019

Aug 7, 2020