FRESNO, Calif. — Ara Dolarian, a 58-year-old former Fresno resident, is facing serious charges after allegedly brokering the sale of military-grade arms and munitions to a foreign government without proper authorization.
According to court documents, Dolarian was the owner and president of Dolarian Capital Inc. (DCI), an arms brokering company operating in Fresno, Washington, D.C., and Sophia, Bulgaria. However, the U.S. Department of State denied DCI licenses to broker international arms deals from 2013 to 2014.
Despite this, Dolarian allegedly attempted to broker a multi-million dollar transfer of high-explosive bombs, rockets, military-grade firearms, and aircraft-mounted cannons from Eastern Europe and South Africa to the government of Nigeria in 2014.
In June 2014, Dolarian executed sales contracts with Societe D’Equipments Internationaux (SEI), a French arms brokering company acting on behalf of Nigeria, for the purchase and transfer of high-explosive bombs, rockets, military-grade firearms, and aircraft-mounted cannons worth more than $8.5 million.
Without approval from the State Department, Dolarian allegedly accepted approximately $8.3 million from Nigeria and its broker, SEI. These funds were funneled through a purported furniture company in Hong Kong and routed through numerous shell accounts held by Dolarian and others.
“This case highlights the importance of enforcing our nation’s arms export and money laundering control laws,” said Ryan L. Spradlin, HSI Special Agent in Charge. “Illegal arms brokering poses a significant threat to U.S. national security and the security of the international community.”
Dolarian is facing charges of unlicensed arms brokering, conspiracy, and money laundering. If convicted, he faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine for unlicensed arms brokering, a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for conspiracy, and a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000 or up to twice the value of the property involved in the transactions for money laundering.
Dolarian made his initial appearance on the charges on May 15, 2023, and is scheduled for a detention hearing on May 20, 2023.
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Weapons
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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